Nathon Lyon and Pat Cummins. (Photo Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
The term Ashes definitely lived by its name and history in the first Test of the five-match series. There was banter, companionship, Bazball and some ruthless cricket at Edgbaston, in Birmingham, as Australia went on to become the third team to beat England after Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum took over the proceedings. Notably, there were doubts regarding the home team’s approach in the first Test, given they will be hosting their biggest rival in history after the massive takeover. However, nothing really changed as Ben Stokes on the very first day made it clear that they are not going to change their approach even though they will be playing against the number one ranked Test team at the moment.
On Day 1 of the Test, Zak Crawley and Joe Root played some brilliant cricket and set the tone of the match. Crawley managed to hit 61 runs while the former skipper once again managed to hit a brilliant century. Jonny Bairstow later joined the party, scoring 78 runs, as the home team managed to post 393 runs on board in the first innings. Meanwhile, when 420 runs were very much on the cards, England took a bold decision by declaring their innings, giving Australia a chance to fight back.
The visiting team eventually did something similar. Despite losing three quick wickets of David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith, Australia managed to keep up, courtesy of a terrific century from Usman Khawaja. Alex Carey and Travis Head supported him well in the middle as Australia posted 385 runs on board.
Thereafter, in the second innings, Root, Harry Brook and Stokes did well with the bat, while Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon picked up four wickets each. Meanwhile, England posted 273 runs on board and set up a target of 280, something that looked chasable at one point.
On the other hand, Australia once again had a poor start but it was Usman Khawaja who stood tall yet again and gave Australia a perfect start. Based on his innings, the Pat Cummins-led side was very much in the game throughout the course and eventually won the match by two wickets. After Khawaja walked back to the pavilion, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon played some brilliant cricket to help Australia win a cracker of a game.
Meanwhile, where did England go wrong? Did they declare too early in the first innings or did Ben Stokes go in defensive mode towards the fag end of the match? Something that the team management will have to think about ahead of the second Ashes Test at slated to be played at the Lord’s. In the end, the resilient Australia’s win triggered fans to share their views on social media.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to Australia’s memorable win at Edgbaston:
Well played Australia 👏🏽😅 #Ashes2023 pic.twitter.com/Rq8ykZwJ8L
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 20, 2023
Pat Cummins take a bow 👏 #Ashes23 #TestCricket 💪
— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) June 20, 2023
What a Test Match. One of the best I have seen in recent times. Testcricket is Best Cricket.
Was a gutsy decision by England to declare just before close on Day 1, especially considering the weather. But Khawaja was outstanding in both innings and @patcummins30 is the new Mr.… pic.twitter.com/9QqC2hjyzr
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 20, 2023
That was a great test match! #Ashes
— Alviro Petersen (@AlviroPetersen) June 20, 2023
What a game , hats off to both teams . Well done @benstokes38 @patcummins30 you have bought test cricket back to life. Love test cricket ❤️ @TheBarmyArmy @CricketAus @ECB_cricket
— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) June 20, 2023
Wow! What a fantastic game of Cricket. Run rate still good😉😄
Well played both team! Test Cricket at its best #Ashes23
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) June 20, 2023
Test cricket at its best! What a game! Congratulations to @CricketAus for a fantastic win 👏👏#Ashes23
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) June 20, 2023
Kyun bhai @benstokes38 : #Ashes23 pic.twitter.com/GkFCyVhNjV
— Abhishek अभिषेक (@ABHIca92) June 20, 2023
What a Match !! #Ashes23
Great partnership by Cummins and Lyon…
— Abhishek Chaudhari (@ulatyabomba) June 20, 2023
Australia have done it. 18 years ago they lost a very tight test and god they have today showed some character. What a test match #ENGvsAUS #Ashes23
— Aditya Shankar Tewari (@shankaradii) June 20, 2023
Australia win
Who says test is boring
But test is real winner
Ben stokes done in headingley
Now Cummins done in edgebaston #ashes23 #ausvseng pic.twitter.com/YgG7WyrLG3
— Somnath Chakraborty (@Somnath44333169) June 20, 2023
It is Cummins who hits the winning runs for Australia.#Ashes23 #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/EbQwL0myF4
— Haseeb Arslan (@HaseebarslanUK) June 20, 2023
Congratulations Australia!@CricketAus
Test Cricket is the pinnacle.
Only four more Ashes Tests to go!#ENGvAUS
— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) June 20, 2023