Lyon works magic as Australia blunt Bazball and keep England in check

T he lead-up to an Ashes series is always an exercise in illusion. All the chatter, the speculation, the minor antagonism, coming together in a tower of meringue; impressive bulk and little substance, ready to vanish if left in the rain. This time around there was another ingredient, with the anticipation of England’s new approach to Test cricket, and how Australia would handle it. When the action finally got under way at Edgbaston, Australia coped just fine.

Through the last year under Brendon McCullum, England have rocked and rolled New Zealand, India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Ireland, attacking with bat and ball. For the Ashes, though, their commitment to the style wavered slightly. Where triumph in Pakistan used young attacking spinners no matter their qualifications, the Ashes had Ben Stokes, the captain, bring Moeen Ali out of retirement for one last job. And on winning the Edgbaston toss, Stokes chose to bat, where his outrageous recent wins have come from fourth-innings chases.

Still, the day started as per England’s fondest Bazball hopes: Zak Crawley lacing shots through cover rather than edging to slip, six runs an over after the first three. It also started as few Ashes contests have done, with three slips and a deep backward point.

The option wasn’t just defensive though. Pat Cummins, the Australia captain, wanted some fielders back to reduce England’s boundary options, making them force the pace by other means. Turning to off-spinner Nathan Lyon in the 10th over was an attacking move, even if three boundary riders on the leg side made it look otherwise.

With the field back, it was as though Australia had broadened the scope of their own game to encompass England’s entirely, an amoebic absorption under the