The Ashes 2021/22 – The first ball of the Ashes Test series
When the first ball of the 2021/22 Ashes series swerved past the legs of England opener Rory Burns and smashed into the leg stump, Mitchell Starc became the first bowler in 85 years to dismiss a batsman with the first ball of an Ashes Test.
In the Brisbane Test, the first of the 1936/7 series, Umpire Jack Scott, standing in his first Test match did not have to wait long to make his first decision. In his book Australian Summer, Neville Cardus wrote, ‘The beginning was catastrophic. (Ernie) McCormick’s first ball, which he bowled like a hurricane, pitched short, and rose high to (Stan) Worthington’s left shoulder. Worthington hooked impulsively, foozled his stroke, skied it and (Bert) Oldfield, after starting late, ran forward in a panic, and held the catch’.
It can safely be stated that, after taking the wicket, McCormack’s celebration was a little less enthusiastic than that of Starc.
The decision was somewhat controversial. In an article in the Adelaide Mail at the conclusion of his umpiring career, Scott wrote, “The ball hit his gloved hand, ricochetted on to his shoulder, then shot to Bert Oldfield behind. Worthington dropped his bat, rubbed his shoulder hard. Oldfield appealed, and I called ‘Out’. When Worthington was back in the players box, the English captain Gubby Allen said to him, “So the umpire has made his first mistake?” “No, he didn’t, I tried to bluff him, but it didn’t work”, replied Worthington.”
McCormick, Worthington and Scott were all participating in their first Ashes Test.
McCormick then dismissed Arthur Fagg (4) and Wally Hammond (first ball) and had figures of 3/26 when he suffered an attack of lumbago and did not bowl again in the match. England led on the first innings and went on to win the match after Australia, batting on a ‘sticky wicket’, collapsed to be all out for 58 in their second innings. It was Bradman’s first Test as captain.
You can read more from Peter Crossing Here.
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Peter Crossing loves the pure ‘n natch’l blues. He is a member of the silver fox faction of the Adelaide Uni Greys. He is something of a cricket tragic although admitting to little interest in the IPL or Big Bash forms of the game.
Noughts so much for the pomms all being walkers
Good stuff Peter. Timeless tests, stickys: another world from what we’re aware of. This wasn’t the only sticky wicket of the series. The third test was an amazing event.
We declared our first innings at 9-200. Rain on the uncovered pitch produced a sticky wicket. The Australian bowlers made the most of it. England didn’t get close to Australia declaring at 9-76, wishing to expose Australia’s batsmen again to the treachery of a sticky wicket. In a master stroke Australian captain Sir Donald Bradman re arranged the batting.
Opening were spinners Bill O’Reilly who had batted 9 in the first innings, with Chuck Fleetwood – Smith who hadn’t batted in the first innings. Both failed to score. Frank Ward who’d batted 10 in the first innings came in first drop. Australia were eventually 5-97 when Bradman arrived at the crease. He joined with Jack Fingleton to take the score to 443. Bradman made 270 an innings that Wisden rated the best test innings of all time. Australia won the test.
After losing the opening pair of tests Australia went on a roll. It is the only time in test history a side has won a five test series 3-2 after losing the opening two tests. Let’s keep it that way.
Glen!
Thanks for this Peter. Ironic that in this ‘kiss and make up’ series four years after bodyline was tested at the first ball of the series.
Thanks for the comments
Young Malcolm: Worthington was an electrician for a colliery company before his cricket career. And the dreaded Wiki reports David Lloyd as saying that as Lancashire coach in the sixties, Worthington “ruled the place with a rod of iron, he was feared by the players”. Thus a player rather than a gentleman. England were also trying him out as a new opening batsman. These factors may explain his reluctance to leave the crease. I’ve always thought that “walking” was more the result of the approach of the particular player rather than being an English vs Australian batsman.
Glen and Daryl: A remarkable series with Australia coming back to win 3-2 after losing the first two Tests. A series without the rancour of the Bodyline saga of the previous tour. The main cause of any unrest appears to have been the Catholic vs Protestant divide in the Australian dressing room.