The Australian cricket team has come under fierce criticism from all corners after producing a painfully slow over rate on the opening day of the first Test against England at the Gabba. The side now stares down the barrel of a significant sanction for failing to meet minimum bowling requirements.
A 'Beyond a Joke' Performance
Despite having an extra 30 minutes added to the day's play, the Aussies managed to deliver only 74 overs on Thursday. This left them a staggering 16 overs short of the mandated 90 for the extended day, a deficit that slumped to a shocking minus-8 by the close of play.
Former Australian Test star and Channel 7 commentator Simon Katich did not mince words, labelling the effort "ridiculous" on SEN radio. "To think we are going to get through an extra half-hour, so six and a half hours' cricket, and we are going to get 74 overs in," Katich said. "It's beyond a joke, an absolute joke."
Frustration, Tactics, and Consequences
The slow pace had direct cricketing consequences. It prevented Australia from taking the second new ball after 80 overs, a potentially crucial advantage as England's Joe Root (135 not out) and tailender Jofra Archer (32) built an unbroken 61-run partnership to push the first innings into a second day.
While the absence of frontline spinner Nathan Lyon contributed to the slowdown, much of the scrutiny fell on captain Steve Smith. Observers noted he spent excessive time between overs—and even between balls—adjusting field placements. This led to widespread speculation that it was a deliberate tactic to avoid having to bat in the tricky evening session.
Former England fast bowler Steven Finn, commentating for TNT Sports, was convinced. "Smith took a long time to set the field there … he's now changing the field between balls," Finn said. "Certainly strikes me that this is a good time for Australia to be delaying things... Definitely a tactic here, and the umpires should have a word with him."
A Barrage of Criticism from All Sides
The backlash was swift and severe from fans and pundits alike. Former AFL star and radio commentator Daniel Harford blasted the display as "unacceptable!". Journalist Nic Negrepontis accused Smith of time-wasting that "has cost them 20+ runs now and wasted everyone’s time."
Fans on social media expressed their outrage, with one calling for a one-match suspension for the captain, describing slow over rates as "a blight on the game." Another proposed a radical solution, suggesting penalty runs should be awarded in real-time during the match to force teams to bowl the required 28+ overs per session.
Australia's only hope of avoiding a penalty now rests on a quick end to England's first innings on Friday. However, the damage to their reputation for the day's play has already been well and truly done.
