The first LV= Insurance Ashes Test at Edgbaston witnessed a powerful display from Australia, inflicting significant damage on England in a relentless assault during a brief 21-minute period before rain disrupted play on day three.
Due to adverse weather conditions, only 22 balls were bowled after 14:15 BST, but within that time, Australia unleashed a devastating onslaught under gloomy skies and floodlights, claiming two wickets for a mere two runs.
Pat Cummins deceived Ben Duckett, who edged the ball to gully, where Cameron Green executed an exceptional catch. Shortly after, Zak Crawley, trying to shuffle across, edged Scott Boland’s delivery behind, amplifying England’s woes.
Joe Root also faced a review off Cummins before a heavy shower forced the players off the field, with England’s score at 28-2, holding a slender lead of 35 runs.
Before the rain interruption, England had a productive morning session, outperforming Australia in the dry conditions. They efficiently dismantled the Australian lower order, securing a first-innings lead of seven runs.
Usman Khawaja, who scored a brilliant 141, fell victim to Ben Stokes’ well-executed plan and was bowled by Ollie Robinson. Following Khawaja’s dismissal, Australia suffered a collapse, losing their last four wickets for a meager 14 runs, ultimately getting dismissed for 386.
Both Robinson and Stuart Broad were instrumental in dismantling the Australian tail, finishing with three wickets each.
Unfortunately, rain played a significant role, causing a loss of 47.3 overs throughout the day. The forecast suggests the potential for more rain on the final day, adding intrigue to what promises to be an exciting conclusion to this captivating series opener, further fueled by the combination of a wet pitch and clash of playing styles.
“Australia’s Moment of Dominance”
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For a damp Sunday in Birmingham, the limited play provided captivating and dramatic Test cricket moments. England’s morning session showcased their brilliance, capitalizing on Australia’s passive approach by executing well-planned strategies, much to the delight of the animated Hollies Stand.
However, Australia’s complacency vanished during the brief interval between the anticipated showers after lunch. Taking advantage of the ball’s movement, the Australian bowlers transformed the supposedly docile pitch into a treacherous one. England was fortunate to escape with only two wickets lost.
Monday’s weather is expected to be dry, but the rain predicted for Tuesday could influence England’s decision to declare, assuming they bat long enough to have that luxury.
There is speculation that the pitch might deteriorate and favor spin, potentially benefiting Moeen Ali. However, the England off-spinner suffered a cut on his spinning finger, which affected his bowling on Sunday morning.
Australia’s Resurgence Under Overcast Skies
When play resumed at 15:30 following a rain delay of 75 minutes, Duckett and Crawley faced a precarious situation with everything to lose and nothing to gain. The overcast conditions provided ideal circumstances for the Australian pace bowlers, who could unleash their full repertoire during a short and intense burst.
Knowing the groundstaff were preparing for a possible interruption, Cummins cleverly delivered the ball wide of Duckett’s off stump. Duckett, true to his nature, tentatively prodded at the ball, only to be caught brilliantly by Green, who has established a reputation for exceptional catches at gully.
For the first time in the Test match, Australia exhibited their trademark aggression. The boundary sweepers, previously employed throughout England’s first innings, were replaced by four catchers.
In the following over, Boland once again dismissed Crawley, inducing an edge that was expertly caught by wicketkeeper Alex Carey. In the span of four balls, England lost two wickets without adding any runs to their total.
Fuelled by their excitement, Australia vehemently appealed for an lbw decision against Root off Boland, and then opted for a review when the on-field umpire gave Root not out. The review, however, revealed no edge.
Before Root and Ollie Pope could open their account, torrential rain arrived at 15:51, granting England a respite as they sought shelter in the dressing room.
England’s Commanding Performance Disrupts Australia’s Momentum
Starting the day at 311-5, 82 runs behind, Australia held a marginal advantage. The situation favored them further when James Anderson’s first over of the day saw Jonny Bairstow miss a chance to dismiss Carey, who edged the ball onto his inside edge.
Despite Carey being eventually bowled through the gate by Anderson, losing his wicket on 66 and granting Anderson his 1,100th first-class wicket, Australia managed to accumulate 44 runs in the first eight overs of the day. This was mainly due to Moeen’s poor bowling performance while nursing an injury. However, when Moeen left the field, Australia’s progress stalled, and England capitalized on the opportunity.
Usman Khawaja spent nearly 100 minutes at the crease, scoring just 15 runs. Out of those, six came from a single shot off Moeen. Although Khawaja’s batting was slow, he acted as a barrier between England and a lead.
This is when Stokes devised another ingenious plan. Initially, Khawaja faced four catchers on the leg side, followed by three on either side. Anticipating a cutter or aiming to squeeze the ball through the off side, Khawaja gave himself room and fell victim to Robinson’s perfectly executed yorker.
Robinson, who had struggled on day two, roared in triumph, experiencing a transformation on day three. He combined with Broad to employ a short-ball strategy against the Australian tail, likely setting the tone for the remainder of the series.
Nathan Lyon hooked a delivery to deep square leg, Boland offered a feeble fend to silly point, and Cummins mistimed a shot to mid-wicket. Australia lost their last four wickets in just 22 deliveries.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ashes 2023
What happened in the first Ashes Test between Australia and England in 2023?
Australia dominated England in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, delivering a devastating performance before rain interrupted play. They claimed two crucial wickets in a short span, while England had a better morning session, taking a first-innings lead. Australia eventually collapsed, and rain played a significant role in limiting the day’s play.
Who were the standout performers in the match?
Usman Khawaja stood out with a brilliant innings of 141 for Australia. Ben Stokes executed ingenious plans, dismissing Khawaja and contributing to Australia’s collapse. Ollie Robinson and Stuart Broad also played crucial roles, taking three wickets each to dismantle the Australian lower order.
How did rain affect the match?
Rain significantly disrupted play on the third day, causing a loss of 47.3 overs. It limited Australia’s momentum and allowed England to escape with a lead of 35 runs at the end of the day. The forecast for the final day also predicted more rain, adding to the uncertainty of the match’s outcome.
What can be expected in the remaining days of the Test?
The remaining days of the Test are expected to provide an exciting conclusion to the series opener. With rain interruptions, a wet pitch, and clash of playing styles, the match is poised for a thrilling finish. The potential deterioration of the pitch and forecasted rain on the final day may influence England’s declaration and create further challenges for both teams.
4 comments
Thrilling stuff at Edgbaston! Aus dominatd England, 2 wickets in no time. Rain savd england fr a total collaps. What a cliffhanger! Can’t wait to see who wins! #Ashes2023 #CricketFever
Aussies dominatd in the frst Ashes Test! Rain ruin things bt they stil claim 2 wickts. Khawaja’s 141 was outstnding & Stokes strategy workd well. Rbinson & Broad on fire. Can’t wait for the nxt day! #Ashes2023
woww Aus trly desroyed england!!! rain inturuptin or not, they were unstoppable. khwaja played amzing innings nd stokes pland wer on poinntt! excing to see wht happenz nxt!
Rain rain go away! Interuptn spoil a promisng match. Khawaja’s century waz brillnt bt England fought bck wth good bowlng. Hoping for an epic concluion if weather allows! #Ashes23