New Delhi:
Australia secured a commanding 10 wicket win in the first of the five match Ashes series at GABBA on Monday (November 27). Set a paltry target of just 170, the Australian openers David Warner and Bancroft cruised to the target in just an hour on Day 5 of the match.
David Warner remained unbeaten on 87 and debutant Cameron Bancroft played his part with a fluent 82 not out. In the process, they broke an 87-year-old Test record for the all-time highest unbeaten opening partnership in a successful Test chase.
"We had to show some really good character throughout. Obviously losing the toss, and the wicket was a lot slower than we anticipated it would be. We had to work really hard," said Australian captain Steve Smith.
"I'm pleased with the way we have played. Bowling first at The Gabba, it's hard. The bowlers had to be on. The way we pulled it back to win from the position we were in it's extremely pleasing. I'm proud of the way the boys fought."
The Australians only needed 56 runs on the final morning go one up after England imploded on Sunday's fourth day. England captain Joe Root said the result did not tell the full story.
"For three days we were excellent. Bar Steve's knock we were right in it," he said, referring to Smith's battling first innings century.
"It's frustrating. We have to move on quickly and make sure we don't make the same mistakes in Adelaide."
It was Warner's 25th Test fifty and ninth in the Ashes, while debutant Bancroft posted his first half-century in only his second Test innings.
"It was good fun, to share a good partnership was nice. To get the win in the end was good," said Bancroft, who was allegedly headbutted by England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow in a late-night altercation in Perth earlier in the tour.
With Inputs from PTI
