Aussies deflate England's Bazball, but Stokes defiant

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.

England captain Ben Stokes had kept faith with the free-wheeling style of cricket concocted by Brendon McCullum, which had delivered 11 wins from 13 tests.

And for much of an enthralling encounter at Edgbaston it worked a treat, with Australia at times seemingly bamboozled by the curve balls continually thrown their way.

Stokes ripped up the textbook with his field placings and gave his batters licence to express themselves, none more so than Joe Root whose reverse ramps lit up a frenetic day four which ended with some orthodox Stuart Broad seam magic.

Yet, when the dust has settled on a match resembling a glossy show-reel for the five-day format, Australia's often cautious approach prevailed thanks to a match-winning 55-run ninth-wicket partnership between Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon at a spellbound Edgbaston late on Tuesday.

It would be churlish to question England's tactics, whether it be Stokes' decision to declare their first innings on 393-8 near the end of a barnstorming first day, or some of the dismissals on Monday as they batted with joyous abandon.

The first ball of the match on Friday was speared to the boundary by Zak Crawley and England's master batsman Root began Monday's action trying a reverse scoop despite his side precariously-placed on 28-2, just 35 ahead.

He repeated the shot to hit Scott Boland for a four and a six in consecutive balls and was eventually dismissed via a stumping for the first time in his 131 tests, charging down the track to try and blast Lyon into the stands.

In days gone by such a reckless