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Ashes 2023 | Old-School Australia Rewrite History At Edgbaston In A Classic Ashes Thriller

image-lj4kjzc6England players celebrating a wicket (AP Photo)

The curtain raiser of Ashes 2023 has turned out to be one cracking encounter! Australia have clinched a thriller by just 2 wickets in a Test match that will go down as one of the greatest in the history of the game. 

The momentum swung from one end to another throughout the course of five days and at one point in time, Australia needed 54 to win with just two wickets in hand. It looked like England's game but Aussie skipper Cummins and Lyon had other plans and their unbeaten stand has taken Australia to one of their most famous Test win.

Australia started their final innings with 281 needed to win as they bundled out England for 274 in their second innings in the second session of day 4. However, England also managed to pick three wickets in the final session of day 4 to setup a thrilling finish on the final day of a Test match. 

The rain, then, decided to play its part on the final day and washed out the first session creating more mystery and suspense in an already tense encounter. 

However, once the action started, it was Test cricket at its best. Australia needed 174 more to win with 7 wickets in hand but England bowlers delivered a spirited bowling performance and picked wickets at regular intervals to put themselves ahead in the game going into the final hour of the game. Things did not got their way in the end though as Cummins and Lyon used all their experience and mixed caution with aggression beautifully to bury Ashes 2005 ghosts and take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Talking points of the Final Session of Day 5

Robinson- Stokes Show Character to bring England back

Australia were well on their course to chase down a target of 281 with Khawaja and Cameron Green batting cautiously. Robinson though produced a moment of brilliance to create an opening for his side and got the big wicket of Green just when Australia were looking to take full control of the game.

Soon, the 'man for crisis' - Ben Stokes got into the act and took the big wicket of Khawaja who was batting like a monk on 65 and eventually, Australia were reduced to 228

Cummins-Lyon partnership etched in Ashes folklore

Nathan Lyon joined Pat Cummins with Australia still 54 runs away from a win. England were right on top at that time and Stokes actually denied taking a second new ball for some overs despite its availability hoping that his bowlers will continue the good work with the old ball.

However, Cummins with some meaty blows brought Australia closer and Lyon at the other end also showed some brilliant resilience to tackle almost everything that was thrown at them. The 9th wicket pair eventually proved too good for the Stokes and company and Australia have taken a 1-0 lead in this Ashes series with a famous victory at Edgbaston - the same venue where they lost by 2 runs in an Ashes Test in 2005.

Brief score

Australia 282-8 (92.3)

Usman Khawaja - 65 (197), Pat Cummins 44 (73)

Stuart Broad - 3/64, Ollie Robinson - 2/43

England (1st Innings) - 393-8

Australia (1st Innings) - 386 -10

England (2nd Innings) - 273-10

Australia win by 2 wickets!