The Ashes 2023: England denied by Australia in Edgbaston classic

Australia someway prevailed from different Edgbaston Ashes classical to bushed England by 2 wickets and instrumentality a 1-0 pb successful the series.

In doing so, they extracted revenge for Australia's celebrated two-run decision connected this crushed 18 years ago, erstwhile the tailenders conscionable fell abbreviated of reaching a people of 282.

It is Australia's narrowest Ashes triumph successful presumption of wickets since 1907 and their 4th successive triumph successful the archetypal Test of an Ashes series.

England looked to beryllium surging towards triumph erstwhile skipper Ben Stokes produced a magical slower shot to vessel Usman Khawaja for 65 and Joe Root held a stunning instrumentality drawback disconnected Alex Carey.

But arsenic a breathless lucifer entered its last hour, Cummins and Lyon swung the bat astatine England's short-ball program to inch Australia closer.

Stokes astir dismissed Lyon with a flying drawback for the ages erstwhile 37 were inactive required, the skipper losing power of the shot arsenic helium dived backwards astatine quadrate leg.

The people ticked down, the evening drew in. With 3 runs required and little than 5 overs remaining, Cummins deflected Ollie Robinson towards 3rd man, a diving Harry Brook fumbled and Australia had an unthinkable victory.

A bid that has already lived up to the hype continues with the 2nd Test astatine Lord's connected 28 June.

Australia prevail successful different Edgbaston epic

This was not conscionable an homage to the epic contention connected the aforesaid crushed 18 years ago, but the cleanable opening to the astir anticipated Ashes bid successful a generation.

From the infinitesimal Zak Crawley crunched the archetypal shot of the bid for four, this Test had everything: England's daring first-day declaration, Root's attempted reverse-ramp disconnected Cummins from the archetypal shot of time 4 and the fascinating clash of benignant betwixt the 2 teams.

But nary of that could lucifer the nerve-shredding play of the last hour, played retired successful beforehand of a buoyant assemblage that had earlier waited until 14:15 BST for rainfall to walk and play to begin.

England person been progressive successful immoderate thrilling Tests since Stokes took charge, but nary with the stakes arsenic precocious arsenic this. In truth, they wasted chances throughout, but person shown capable quality, endeavour and bravery to suggest they person what it takes to get backmost into the series.

For Australia, the constrictive triumph conscionable astir vindicates their cautious attack to combatting England's Bazballers. It was fitting that skipper Cummins, the designer of the safety-first plan, played the captious relation connected the last day.

It has whetted the appetite for the remainder of the bid and for the Test betwixt England and Australia's women, which begins astatine Trent Bridge connected Thursday.

More to follow.