England’s ‘Bazball’ approach paid off on the opening day of the Ashes series against Australia at Edgbaston. Joe Root scored his 30th Test century, while Moeen Ali hit a six off his hips and Root reversed-ramped Scott Boland over the boundary. England declared at 393-8, with Root on 118 not out, and then gave Australia four overs to bat before stumps. The visitors went 14 without loss, with David Warner on eight not out and Usman Khawaja on four. England’s highest Ashes total at home since 2015 was achieved thanks to a 78-ball 78 from Jonny Bairstow and a 61 from Zak Crawley.
Australia set mostly defensive fields after losing the toss, with Cummins saying he would have also batted first. Kevin Pietersen suggested ‘Bazball’ affected Australia from the get-go. “They’ve set a field for all the bluff, for all the chat,” the BBC pundit said. “It’s fantastic to see Australia so defensive.”
The day saw three entertaining sessions, with Australia getting on top before England rallied each time with key partnerships. It still looks like an evenly balanced contest with Australia 379 runs behind but boasting the top three ranked Test batters in Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Travis Head.
The strangest dismissal of the day ended another useful partnership for England, this time 51 runs for the fourth wicket between Root and Harry Brook (32). Brook won’t want to watch a replay of his dismissal, not that he was looking the first time. Lyon bowled Brook when the batter’s thigh pad sent the ball looping into the air and out of his sight before dropping right behind him and spinning back onto the stumps. Brook could only grin before walking off.
Australia earlier gained a psychological edge when Crawley was dismissed by seamer Boland off the last ball before lunch. Australia chose Josh Hazlewood at the expense of pacer Mitchell Starc and the seamer repaid the vote of confidence by claiming the first wicket of the series with England on 22. Ben Duckett went for 12, caught low behind by Alex Carey.
Bairstow brought up his 24th Test 50 in only his second Test since breaking his leg in a golf-related accident last year. Ali, who has come out of retirement to cover for injured spinner Jack Leach, showed his all-round credentials on his home ground, hitting a rapid 18 with a six and two fours. He was out stumped — very easily so — after advancing down the wicket to try and smash Lyon.
Australia have not won an Ashes series in England since 2001 but they need to only draw the best-of-five contest to keep cricket’s famed urn. England has won 12 of its last 17 Tests with their bold approach under Stokes and coach Brendon (“Baz”) McCullum.
A moment’s silence before the game paid tribute to victims of a knife and van attack in Nottingham, including two cricket-loving students.
## England’s ‘Bazball’ approach pays off against Australia
England’s ‘Bazball’ approach paid off on the opening day of the Ashes series against Australia at Edgbaston. Joe Root scored his 30th Test century, while Moeen Ali hit a six off his hips and Root reversed-ramped Scott Boland over the boundary. England declared at 393-8, with Root on 118 not out, and then gave Australia four overs to bat before stumps.
## England’s highest Ashes total at home since 2015
England’s highest Ashes total at home since 2015 was achieved thanks to a 78-ball 78 from Jonny Bairstow and a 61 from Zak Crawley. Australia set mostly defensive fields after losing the toss, with Cummins saying he would have also batted first. Kevin Pietersen suggested ‘Bazball’ affected Australia from the get-go. “They’ve set a field for all the bluff, for all the chat,” the BBC pundit said. “It’s fantastic to see Australia so defensive.”
## Three entertaining sessions
The day saw three entertaining sessions, with Australia getting on top before England rallied each time with key partnerships. It still looks like an evenly balanced contest with Australia 379 runs behind but boasting the top three ranked Test batters in Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Travis Head.
## Brook’s strange dismissal
The strangest dismissal of the day ended another useful partnership for England, this time 51 runs for the fourth wicket between Root and Harry Brook (32). Brook won’t want to watch a replay of his dismissal, not that he was looking the first time. Lyon bowled Brook when the batter’s thigh pad sent the ball looping into the air and out of his sight before dropping right behind him and spinning back onto the stumps. Brook could only grin before walking off.
## Hazlewood repays vote of confidence
Australia chose Josh Hazlewood at the expense of pacer Mitchell Starc and the seamer repaid the vote of confidence by claiming the first wicket of the series with England on 22. Ben Duckett went for 12, caught low behind by Alex Carey.
## Bairstow’s comeback
Bairstow brought up his 24th Test 50 in only his second Test since breaking his leg in a golf-related accident last year. Ali, who has come out of retirement to cover for injured spinner Jack Leach, showed his all-round credentials on his home ground, hitting a rapid 18 with a six and two fours. He was out stumped — very easily so — after advancing down the wicket to try and smash Lyon.
## England’s recent success
Australia have not won an Ashes series in England since 2001 but they need to only draw the best-of-five contest to keep cricket’s famed urn. England has won 12 of its last 17 Tests with their bold approach under Stokes and coach Brendon (“Baz”) McCullum.
## Tribute to victims of knife and van attack
A moment’s silence before the game paid tribute to victims of a knife and van attack in Nottingham, including two cricket-loving students.