ATROCIOUS! England Drop 5 CATCHES On Day 2 In Fielding Horror Show At Gabba

The wheels fell off, and fell off horrendously for England on day two of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba as the tourists produced one of their worst fielding displays ever. Not one, not two, but as many as FIVE catches went down from the Three Lions as Christmas came early for Australia in Brisbane.  

Australia racked up a 378 runs in just 73 overs on day two, going at over 5 runs per over, and their batting onslaught was enabled by some hideous catching from the visiting side. 

The first drop of the day came from wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who put Travis Head down when Australia were 30/0. It was regulation nick off the bowling of Jofra Archer from ‘round the wicket, and Smith, who was off balance, put down a sitter. Head was on 3 when he was dropped; he went on to add 30 more runs as the hosts’ opening stand added 77 together. 

The next two came from Ben Duckett, who had a night to forget on the field. Alex Carey, on his very first ball, gloved a short ball trying to fend at it, and the ball ballooned up in the air. Duckett ran in from gully but a lazy effort saw him not pouch the pink cherry properly as it popped out of his hand as he slid. The drop proved incredibly costly as Carey ended the day unbeaten on 46. 

Duckett was once again at the crime scene a few overs later, this time giving a reprieve to Josh Inglis. The right-hander slashed at a wide ball from Ben Stokes, and the ball flew straight to Duckett at gully. It would have been a straightforward chance had the opener gone with two hands, but he lazily stretched his right hand alone and paid the price for it.

Five overs later, Michael Neser was dropped at cover by Brydon Carse. Neser gave himself room and tried to carve Archer down the ground but did not get the desired connection. The ball traveled straight to Carse but the fast bowler dropped a dolly as he spilled it.

The fifth and last drop of the day came from Joe Root, although the keeper Smith was at fault too. Carey tried to heave Gus Atkinson down the ground and got a thick outside edge that was flying to the left of the wicketkeeper. However, Smith did not go for it, and Root was unable to react on time. Root stretched his left hand but it wasn’t enough as the ball burst through his fingers and raced to the boundary.

England’ sloppy fielding effort meant that Australia ended the day 44 ahead, with both Carey and Neser - both of whom got lives - still at the crease.