The Ashes 1st Test Edgbaston: Joe RootEngland posted a massive 393/8d in the first innings before a surprise declaration from England captain Ben Stokes. England batted for most of the day and then brought the Australian batsmen to test their temper in the closing stages of the first day at Edgbaston in Birmingham. However, Australia remained unscathed as David Warner and Usman Khawaja The team was bundled out for 14 runs in four overs.
The highlight of the day was Joe Root’s special ton and England’s usual ‘buzzball’ approach. As we have seen many times in the past that England keep the run-rate around 5 per over despite losing wickets, we got to see it another day. Wickets fell but England did what worked for them in the last year and a half. Root’s 118* from 152 balls was easily the innings of the day as he displayed his A game with a positive attitude. Zak Crawley and Johnny Bairstow Others had fifties and were more aggressive with the bat.
Zak Crowley’s intention set the tone
Jack Crowley won the toss and set the tone for England on the first day. he smacked the australian captain Pat Cummins Ben Stokes was also surprised after hitting a four off the very first ball. Crawley also took on other Australian fast bowlers and at times was striking out more than run-a-ball. He scored 61 off 73 balls in the first session before being dismissed.
Bairstow, Root took command
England were in trouble after the fall of some quick wickets. They lost Harry Brook and Ben Stokes in the space of a run and were 176/5 before Bairstow and Root took charge. Bairstow was a bit cautious initially but then took fifth gear. He was close to a hundred, but was dismissed for 78 run-a-ball. After Root’s century, England declared on 393/8.
Australian opener remained unbeaten
In what could have been a difficult period in the last 4 overs, the Australian openers – David Warner and Usman Khawaj – remained unbeaten despite early run-outs. He walks in with his bat on 14/0 and trailing by 379 at the end of an exciting day of Test cricket.