Event of the Day: Australia v England

is the opening day of the first Test of the 2017-18 Ashes series between Australia and England at the Gabba in Brisbane. This is the long-anticipated start of the five Test series, which is the next chapter in the most famous cricket rivalry, that will be played all across Australia until January. The history of the Ashes has resulted in 32 series wins to each side accompanied by 5 draws. England have won four of the last five series, but have lost six of the last seven series played in Australia.

The home side haven’t been defeated in their last 28 Tests at the Gabba with 21 wins and 7 draws. England last won in Brisbane back in 1986, beating Australia by 7 wickets. 

Steve Smith for Australia and Joe Root for England will make their Ashes captaincy debuts and will be key men as currently they are ranked as the two best batsmen in world cricket. The Australian selectors have surprised their own fans with some selection decisions, especially by recalling Tim Paine, as the wicketkeeper eventhough he is not the keeper for his state side Tasmania. The biggest absence for the series however is England’s Ben Stokes who is absent due to disciplinary issues. We are in for a thrilling series ahead and this first day will set the tone.

 

Honourable mentions 

around the globe go to the NFLThanksgiving football schedule with one of the three special games being the clash between the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Chargers at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The Cowboys, with a 5-5 season record, will aim to get back to winning ways after two defeats in a row, and are up against the Chargers who haven’t given up on the play-offs despite their 4-6 record. The NFC North clash between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field in Detroit should be a great game between two teams with winning records. The final Thanksgiving game is between the struggling New York Giants and their NFC East rivals, the Washington Redskins at FedExField. In golf, it is the first day of the UBS Hong Kong Open at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling, Hong Kong. In the UEFA Europa League, there are matches in all 12 groups with the pick of the day been the clash between FC Astana and Villarreal at the Astana Arena, as they battle for a place in the the knock-out stage and first place in Group A.

 

Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!

 

Fixture

 

Photos by England Cricket; Cricket Australia