After five days of ups and downs, Australia went 1-0 up in Ashes Test cricket at the highest level.
Captain Pat Cummins played a brilliant knock as he enjoyed an unbeaten 55-run partnership with Nathan Lyon.
England were in control for most of the game, but the visitors’ patient style won over Ben Stokes’ side-attacking approach.
The series will now move to Lord’s, where England will look to bounce back from their defeat in Birmingham.
Mail Sport’s David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd takes you through Tuesday’s action from Edgbaston.
Australian captain Pat Cummins helped his team to a two-wicket win in the first Ashes Test
Despite losing England’s third match under Ben Stokes, they played well
A contrast in style to grip the nation
There are different ways to play Test cricket. England had well documented that they were going to burn out but Australia came knowing that if they batted over they would win. They did just that.
With England’s approach, many seniors don’t get it but you talk to the younger generation and they love it. As there is a divide between people, there is an interesting divide between the two sides and that is why every ball of this series is going to grip the nation.
Nayak Cummins
Australia’s hero. Mr. Pat Cummins.
Given the circumstances of the match, I tell you those were nerves of steel. What a pairing between him and Nathan Lyon. Australia draw first blood, just like they did in 2005 and we’re going to Lord’s.
Anderson in a peaceful role
Credit to Usman Khawaja. He was unstoppable and played his game every day, with such determination, what many would say is the way to play Test cricket.
James Anderson had to play the peacemaker while Ollie Robinson and Usman Khawaja endured a war of words.
The two were going back and forth in the fourth Test, but the Australian batter had the last laugh
And fair play to him because he was indifferent to anything else. Even as Ollie Robinson tried his best to disrupt his concentration, Khawaja remained in his bubble and became a peacemaker for none other than Jimmy Anderson. Now that’s a surprise!
There for the taking for England
Looking back at the bullet points in the test. Of course, people would watch the announcement but the game was England’s for the taking.
They will regret all the chances they missed, especially the one that let Khawaja go. But all credit to Australia and how Cummins and Lyon stood firm, when it looked like England had won the match.
Not so fast in England
Ben Stokes said he wanted quick, flat wickets. So will England now reconsider this matter?
On average, England’s pace bowlers were at least 5mph faster than Australia’s fast bowlers. Out in the middle, that’s a huge difference.
It is no accident that the fastest bowler looked very strong, in Cummins. So I think Mark Wood will definitely be in the team at Lord’s.
England bowlers averaged 5mph faster than their Australian counterparts
Hartley to the rescue?
Make no mistake. Moeen Ali’s blistered finger is another serious concern.
Seven layers of leather have disappeared and England may have to look elsewhere a week before the second Test at Lord’s.
Rehan Ahmed, Will Jacks and Liam Dawson are all candidates but I’m putting myself in the shoes of the England selectors, who have often surprised us. How about Lancashire’s Tom Hartley? A tall left-arm spinner, who can bat and excels in the field. He will be on England’s radar…
Moeen Ali, who is suffering from an injured finger, is likely to be replaced in the next Test
A golden advertisement for the game
Anyway, what an advert for Test cricket and what a great way to set up this series.
It was as good a Test match as you could hope for. Everywhere you go, people are talking about the game.
Fair play at Edgbaston for tickets for the final day at Rs 25. A full house every single day even on a weekday. I want to know how many people in Birmingham called in sick to work on Tuesday!
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