Australia finally came out on top in what was a testing and compelling Edgbaston Ashes Test in a two-wicket victory, to take a 1-0 lead in the series against England.
In a breathless match, it was down to the Aussie strike bowlers, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, to win the match for the ‘Baggy Green Caps’ – with the bat. Their unbroken unbeaten knock of 55 at the crease got the tourists over the line to their target of 281 in the final hour of play.
Cummins’ 44 not out, and Lyon's unbeaten 16 took Australia to the narrowest of Ashes wins just when it looked like England was heading towards getting the early upper hand in Birmingham. And, with that compelling ending, a series that has already lived up to the hype is preparing for the second Test at Lord's on June 28.
In truth, wasted chances throughout a thrilling contest proved the decisive factor in a match that seemed harder for the home team to lose, despite the quality, endeavour. They did, however, miss eight chances in the field, as home captain, Ben Stokes, showed how they could get at the visitors, but defeat was hard to take, with him saying: "We are absolutely devastated that we have lost, and the lads are in absolute pieces.
"There are still four games left. Keep following us and we will keep trying to do what we do." England have lost two of their past 12 Tests and one of those, against New Zealand in Wellington, was by just one run after they had made the Black Caps follow on.
This was revenge for Australia's famous two-run defeat – in Edgbaston – in 2015, when the tailenders just fell short of reaching a target of 282. And that’s just the start.
Now for Pt.2 and NW8!
