Highlights | Ashes 2023, ENG vs AUS, 1st Test: Cummins lead Australia to win, take 1-0 lead in series

AS IT HAPPENED | ENG vs AUS, Ashes 2023 Day 5

Birmingham, June 21: An excellent rearguard innings of 44 not out by skipper Pat Cummins and his crucial 55 run partnership for the ninth wicket with Nathan Lyon (16 not out) helped Australia to a two wicket victory over England in the nerve-wracking first Ashes Test of the 2023 series at Edgbaston here on Tuesday.

Chasing a goal of 218 in the fourth innings to win the game, Australia, who finished day four on 107/3, ran into trouble after losing to Alex Carey for 20 by the score 227/8.

The first match of the new ICC World Test Championship cycle ended in dramatic fashion, with Cummins playing a captain’s knock to lead his side to a famous victory in Birmingham’s twilight.

Despite losing the first session of the day to rain, England, who declared their first innings at 393/8 and bowled out for 272 in their second, sniffed their chances as they needed just two wickets and Australia needed 54 runs.

However, Cummins and Lyon shared an unfinished 55-run partnership for the ninth wicket as they gave Australia the winning start in their bid to reclaim the Urn in England after many years.

England looked favorites as Cummins came into the crease, but the skipper added 18 runs alongside Alex Carey and then played the decisive part in the match-winning stand with Nathan Lyon as the opening Ashes game was at stake.

It was Cummins who hit the winning runs, finishing on 44 not out and embraced by the undefeated Lyon (16 not out).

Rain washed out all of the first session to compress the day’s play as Australia resumed at 107/3 and all results still possible as play began on an overcast afternoon.

Usman Khawaja and Scott Boland needed 174 to win and made England sweat for the early breakthrough before Stuart Broad lured the edge of the nightwatchman. Boland’s 20 was his highest test score to date.

Australia bided their time, with Travis Head knocking off a spell of short-pitched bowling.

But Moeen Ali, who struggled all day with a finger injury, produced an excellent throw to tie Head up, with Joe Root making a sharp catch at first slip.

The tourists were well placed, five wickets down, at tea. But England got a glimmer of hope when Cameron Green’s 66-ball wake came to an end when he hacked an Ollie Robinson ball onto his stumps to leave for 28.

And Khawaja’s challenging 197-ball 65 similarly ended when he was undone by a slower ball from England captain Stokes.

England delayed taking the new ball, and the decision paid off in style as part-time spinner Root clung to a sharp caught and bowled chance (his third such tricky chance) to knock Alex Carey out for 20, Australia still 54 runs needed to win .

Tension was high as England scrambled to get the remaining wickets they needed. But Cummins and Lyon kept their spirits up to land a famous win.

The win gives Australia a 1–0 lead in the series with four Tests to play. The second test begins next Wednesday at Lord’s.

And the result is the first in the new World Test Championship cycle, with defending champion Australia getting points on the board the first time he asks.

Short Scores: England 393/8d & 273 lost to Australia 286 & 282/8 in 92.3 overs (Usman Khawaja 65, David Warner 36, Pat Cummins 44 not out; Stuart Broad 3-64, Ollie Robinson 2-43) by two wickets.