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Ashes 2023 | Spirited England Bounce Australia Out For 386 Amidst Cummins' Fighting Knock

Debashis Sarangi

image-lj1dxhkoEngland got a marginal lead of seven runs [Source: AP]

A consolidating stand between Usman Khawaja and Pat Cummins saw Australia get closer to England's first innings score of 393 runs in the first session of the ongoing Ashes Test in Edgbaston. England began the session with a bang, as James Anderson broke the mammoth 118-run sixth wicket stand, dismissing Alex Carey with an absolute ripper. However, the gritty duo of Cummins and Khawaja frustrated England before Ollie Robinson came up with three crucial strikes to restrict the visitors to 386 runs in their first innings. 


Talking points

Ageless Anderson still going strong

image-lj1dw29qJames Anderson celebrating a dismissal [Source: AP]

The fact that James Anderson is 40 years old always fades away from our mind when we see him steaming in and questioning the bests in business with his subtle variations and nagging accuracy. The ageless wonder proved his worth yet again, removing a well-set Alex Carey and giving England an ideal start to the day. 

After testing Carey with several well-targeted length balls, Anderson got one to jag back into the southpaw, shattering his timber. On Edgabaston's lifeless surface, Anderson definitely looked like a real threat to the Aussies in his first spell. 


Ollie Robinson punches above his weight to rattle Australia

image-lj1dvcbvOllie Robinson scalped three wickets [Source: AP]

After Carey got out to Anderson, skipper Pat Cummins joined hands with Khawaja to frustrate the Englishmen, forming a fighting 34-run stand for the seventh wicket. However, a lapse in concentration costed Khawaja his wicket, as Ollie Robinson cleaned him up with a full length delivery for 141. Robinson, hailed for his fighting spirit, further went on to get rid of Nathan Lyon, triggering an Australian collapse. 


England's short ball strategy works wonders

After Khawaja got out, the English seamers attacked the Aussie bowlers with some nasty bumpers, which eventually rewarded them with prized scalps of Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland. While Lyon's perfectly timed pull shot was caught by Ben Duckett, Cummins and Boland were dismissed by Robinson and Broad, as Australia were bundled out for 386 in their first innings. 


Expectations

While England will likely continue to bat with an aggressive approach, the track's conduciveness for spinners will bring Nathan Lyon into the game. 


Brief Scores

Australia: 386 (116.1)
Usman Khawaja 141 (321), Alex Carey 66 (99);
Ollie Robinson 3/55, Stuart Broad 3/68

England lead by seven runs.