Mohammad Kaif and Ben Stokes. (Photo Source: Twitter)
The first Test of the Ashes 2023 ended in a thrilling manner as Australia won the match by 2 wickets, with captain Pat Cummins (44*) and Nathan Lyon (16*) guiding their team home with their unbeaten 55*-run stand. The game went through numerous ebbs and flows bringing the crowd at Edgbaston to the edge of their seats.
England skipper Ben Stokes was seen at his tactful best throughout the first Test as he continuously experimented with his field set-ups and even made the bold decision of declaring the first innings with half an hour time left in the day’s play and a set Joe Root batting in the middle. Stokes’ leadership style has impressed former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif who credited him for making the 281-run target look like 481.
Kaif took to Twitter and wrote, “Even on a dead track, without main spinner, Ben Stokes made 281 look like 481. Plan for each batter, and fielders in eye line … Ranji captains watch and learn. Stokes, the Test captain, has arrived. @benstokes38 #Ashes23.”
Even on a dead track, without main spinner, Ben Stokes made 281 look like 481. Plan for each batter, fielders in eye line … Ranji captains watch and learn. Stokes, the Test captain, has arrived. @benstokes38 #Ashes23
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 21, 2023
Coming back to the match, Australia needed 174 runs to win on Day 5 having seven wickets in hand with Usman Khawaja and Scott Boland at the crease. England got early success on Day 5 as Stuart Broad got rid of Boland. Moeen Ali, who was struggling with a blister on his finger, dismissed Travis Head (16) to leave Australia at 143/5.
Following the same, Cameron Green (28) and Khawaja added 49 runs for the sixth wicket. However, England made a strong comeback into the game by dismissing Green, Khawaja (65) and Alex Carey (20) with Australia still needing 54 runs to win with just two wickets in hand.
Cummins and Lyon negate England’s short-ball ploy
Captain Cummins took the onus upon himself to play some extravagant shots and take his team closer to the target. He got good support from Lyon who negated England’s short-ball ploy and held one end. The duo took the team to a thrilling win and helped the side go 1-0 up in the five match-series.
Usman Khawaja was awarded Player of the Match for his scores of 141 and 65 in the two innings of the game respectively.
The second Test of the series will be played at Lord’s in London starting June 28.