#Ashes: It was all about rhythm at Leeds on Day 1

It is all about rhythm. Rhythm matters everywhere. For a singer or musician, it is a must. In life it is hugely important. Whereas in sports it is a vital cog and in cricket, you can’t but accept it’s importance. Again, rhythm varies from cricketer to cricketer. For someone like David Warner, rhythm is all about fluency while for someone like Marnus Labuschagne, it is all about getting into the zone like Rahul Dravid, Javed Miandad or our Mushfiqur Rahim.

Until the second ball of fifth over of the day, Warner was kept quiet and made to struggle by his nemesis in this series, Stuart Broad. Broad’s second ball of fifth over was directed at Warner’s pad and immediately he jammed one to onside to get off the mark. In the seventh over another delivery was directed towards his pads, which resulted in a boundary – Warner rediscovered his lost rhythm.

The England pacers changed the line of attack and rather than pitching it up more towards middle and off, they bowled short and wide – Warner’s rhythm gained stability as runs came thick and fast. He recovered from his lean-patch until Joe Root threw the ball to his new-ball bowlers, Jofra Archer and Broad.

Archer and Broad did not take time to adjust their length – pitched up in and around the offstump and at pace.

Warner was undone by a ripper. Travis Head had no clue. While Matthew Wade failed to prevent the ball from travelling to his stumps and dislodge the bails.

Within 10 minutes, the Australian recovery was jeopardized by some outstanding display of superb fast bowling.

It was time for Archer and Broad to exhibit their rhythm – pace, movement and aggression. They all came together as in the span of ten overs, Australia lost their way.

But Labuschagne survived.

For him, rhythm is more about trusting the defence. He was tested outside the offstump consistently, but his authority over his offstump helped him to survive. His innings had been as worthy as gold. He tried his best to hold the innings together as long as he could, and if someone could support him, things might not have gone so poor for Australia. But when two brilliant fast bowlers are in such a wonderful rhythm, a batting lineup could hardly do anything.    

Thank You

Faisal Caesar