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Australia's dramatic two-wicket win in the first Test at Edgbaston on Tuesday ensured a hugely-anticipated Ashes series got off to a thrilling start as skipper Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon's unbroken stand of 55 turned the tables on England.
Australia's dramatic two-wicket in the first Test at Edgbaston on Tuesday ensured a hugely-anticipated Ashes series got off to a thrilling start as skipper Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon's unbroken stand of 55 turned the tables on England. Below AFP Sport looks at three things we learned from a gripping encounter between the arch-rivals.
Ben Stokes said he felt "devastated" by England's dramatic two-wicket defeat in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston but insisted his aggressive approach could yet secure a series win over Australia.
BIRMINGHAM: In the end England's audacious 'Bazball' flamboyance was trumped by some true Australian grit after five days of cut and thrust Ashes cricket that was as addictive as anything seen before.
David Gower is backing Bazball to emulate the impact of the 2005 and 1981 Ashes and lift the mood of the nation if England can regain the urn this summer. The most hotly-anticipated series for some time got underway at Edgbaston on Friday, with Ben Stokes' and Brendon McCullum's bold new side looking to win the Ashes back for the first time since 2017. Ad Pat Cummins' Australia dominated the last series Down Under but England have been on a transformative journey since then under the new leadership of captain Stokes and coach McCullum.
Former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Brad Haddin feels that England's wish of playing on flat and fast wickets for the five-match Ashes series could backfire. With the first Test set to begin on Friday, June 16, England captain Ben Stokes declared he wanted "fast, flat wickets" for the Ashes to support England's aggressive mentality. Under the leadership of head coach Brendon McCullum and Stokes, England have been a revelation in Test cricket, winning 11 of their 14 Tests. However, Haddin feels that Australia could win 5-0 if the pitches are prepared as per Stokes' liking.
Joe Root played the role of anchor for England on the opening day of the first Ashes Test that kicked off at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Friday. Host skipper Ben Stokes won the toss and oped to bat first. England lost wickets at regular intervals but a solid partnership between Root and Jonny Bairstow for the sixth wicket put the side in control against Australia. The surface that has been offered for the game is a batting paradise and Root barely left any opportunity to score on the opening day.
England have moved the needle in unprecedented fashion in a whirlwind past year but how a buccaneering approach would fare against a relentless Australia was the big talking point amid all the Ashes hype.