Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyons take Australia over the line to win opening Ashes Test

Australia's Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon celebrate after winning the first Ashes test by two wickets as England's Stuart Broad applauds. Photo: Paul Childs/Reuters

Australia's Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon celebrate after winning the first Ashes test by two wickets as England's Stuart Broad applauds. Photo: Paul Childs/Reuters

Published Jun 20, 2023

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Birmingham — Australia captain Pat Cummins sealed a remarkable two-wicket victory for his side over England in a thrilling climax to a gripping five-day battle in the opening Ashes test on Tuesday.

The visitors, set a 281 victory target, began a rain-delayed day on 107 for three but their chances looked remote when they were reduced to 227-8.

But Cummins, in partnership with Nathan Lyon, launched a fightback and sealed victory with an unbeaten 44.

In suffocating tension, he struck the final boundary to take his side over the line for a 1-0 lead in the series.

After a rain-delayed start, unflappable Australia opening batsman Usman Khawaja had kept his team on course for victory with a gritty innings to edge the visitors towards the target.

They reached 183-5 at the tea interval -- requiring 98 more but a match full of momentum shifts swung England's way when Khawaja was bowled by England skipper Ben Stokes for 65.

When Joe Root held a caught and bowled chance to remove Alex Carey, England were closing in on victory.

But Cummins sparked the fightback with huge sixes off Root's off-spin as England delayed taking the new ball and was the calmest person in the stadium as he secured victory.

It was the second-highest successful victory chase at Edgbaston and made up for Australia's heart-breaking loss to England on the same ground in 2005 when they fell three short of chasing down 282.

Brief scores:

England 1st Innings 393-8 dec (J Root 118 no, J Bairstow 78, Z Crawley 61; N Lyon 4-149)

Australia 1st Innings 386 (U Khawaja 141, A Carey 66, T Head 50; O Robinson 3-55, S Broad 3-68)

England 2nd Innings 273 (P Cummins 4-63, N Lyon 4-80)

Australia 2nd Innings 282-5 (U Khawaja 65; S Broad 3-64)

Result: Australia won by two wickets

Series: Australia lead five-match series 1-0

Reuters