England vs Australia Match Highlights & Results

Right then, what an epic battle we have witnessed and this is just the start. We still have four more Test matches to go in this monumental series between two powerhouses. Australia have taken a 1-0 lead in the series but we expect England to come back stronger at Lord's which will be the next venue. The game begins in a week's time on Wednesday the 28th of June at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT) but our coverage will begin well in advance. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Pat Cummins, the skipper of Australia, starts by saying that their supporters got outnumbered but thanks them for sticking around. Adds that there were no demons on this surface on the final day and regarding Lyon's boundary over mid on, Cummins smiles and says that he just stood there in awe and said 'nice shot Gary'. Mentions that the beauty of this series is that both teams have different strengths and they stick to it. Praises Khawaja for his composure and calls him a class player. He is really happy for Usman. States that everyone chipped in and played a role while being happy that he could contribute with the bat. Informs that Lyon has been huge for them with the ball and he is just a captain's dream.

Ben Stokes, the captain of England says that he is very proud of the team to take this game into Day 5, and it was wonderful to see the way they handled the rollercoaster of emotions. Claims that this is what they want to do as they hope to keep the people involved and on the edge of their seats. Reckons that a loss is a loss in terms of how they operate. Adds that losing always hurts regardless and they want to keep making the moves when the time is right. Mentions that when they come on the positive side of the result there will not be much to complain about. Explains that he decided to declare because he saw an opportunity to pounce on Australia by taking early wickets and going into Day 2 on top. Informs that it was great to have Moeen Ali even though he had to leave the field but Joe Root did a remarkable job. Goes on to say that he is not only a world-class batter but is growing as a bowler as well. Feels that is incredible to see a senior batter play the way he did on Day 4. Admits that the way he played in the first half hour got the momentum on their side and there is always pressure chasing down the target but gives credit to Australia. Ends by saying that Ollie Robinson and Stuart Broad put in all their effort and that is all you can ask for. He adds that Stuart Broad has his head in his heart and long may it continue.

Player of the Match is Usman Khawaja! Says that he was very nervous in the final five minutes and counts this as one of his favourite Tests to be a part of! Shares that there was too much nervous energy in the dressing room and he was watching the match on a delay. Adds that this knock of his is right up there and tells that the ebb and flow of this Test match was excellent with no one having it until the end. Reminds that the last series was tough work for the Aussie batters, barring Smith and he is delighted to win the first Test match.

Presentation time...

David Warner and Usman Khawaja started wonderfully well though and added 61 runs together but a late surge on Day 4 allowed England to claim three crucial wickets as Ollie Robinson dismissed David Warner and Stuart Broad sent Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith packing. The delayed start on Day 5 had everyone sweating and one session was lost to rain. Usman Khawaja and Scott Boland were watchful to begin before Stuart Broad was able to send the night watchman back to the shed. Moeen Ali claimed the crucial wicket of Travis Head before Tea and had England believing there were ahead in this game. Australia proved them wrong in the final session to stamp their authority ahead of a long tour.

England started Day 4 intending to make sure that they get a result in this game as they looked to be aggressive from the word go led by Joe Root. He scored 46 alone with Harry Brook as both missed out on half-centuries by 4 runs and Ben Stokes added 43 runs to score as well. They kept losing wickets in regular intervals though and were bowled out by Tea for 273 runs setting a target of 281. The Australian bowlers did a remarkable job with Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon claiming four wickets each with Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland chipping in with one apiece. The hosts would have liked to have a few more runs on the board but came out looking to get some early breakthroughs with the ball.

The Australian openers managed to survive the four overs on Day 1 but did not get off to the best starts on Day 2 as they lost David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne on consecutive deliveries. Things got worse for them when Steven Smith was dismissed for a low score before Lunch and the declaration seemed to be working for the hosts. Usman Khawaja proved the be the thorn in their side though as he held up one end and built good partnerships with Travis Head, Cameron Green, and Alex Carey. Head and Carey scored attacking half-centuries with Khawaja top-scoring for his side with 141 runs. An attacking cameo from Pat Cummins helped push their total to 386, 7 runs short of England’s total. Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson both claimed three wickets each with Moeen Ali chipping in with two. He seemed to have injured his finger while bowling which seemed to hinder his bowling performance. The England openers came out looking positive in the second session of Day 3 but rain interruptions seemed to hamper their concentration and both were dismissed in overcast conditions before play was called off for the day.

The hosts won a good toss and elected to bat first with Zak Crawley smashing the first ball to the fence for four. The tone had been set for how the hosts were planning to approach their batting effort but suffered an early setback as Ben Duckett was dismissed after playing a couple of good shots. Ollie Pope got off to a decent start but could not make it count and was dismissed along with Crawley who scored 61 runs in 73 balls before Lunch. Joe Root batted beautifully from one end with Harry Brook (32 runs in 37 balls) and Jonny Bairstow (78 runs in 78 deliveries) playing attacking knocks to help keep the run rate up. They scored 393 for the loss of 8 wickets in 78 overs and with four overs left to play on Day 1, Ben Stokes pulled off a surprise by declaring their inning. Joe Root remained unbeaten on 118 and put up an exhibition of his world-class abilities. Nathan Lyon was the pick of the bowlers for Australia with four wickets under his belt and the rest of the bowlers chipped in as well barring the skipper Pat Cummins who remained wicketless.

England found an opening and had their tails up as they built pressure on Alex Carey with some disciplined bowling. The English bowlers were unable to get a breakthrough though and the skipper decided to bring himself into the attack. The decision bore fruit immediately as he managed to finally end Khawaja’s stubborn stand on 65 in 197 balls. Carey and Pat Cummins hung around till the new ball was available but Ben Stokes pulled off another masterstroke by not taking the brand-new cherry and giving a over to Joe Root. He rewarded his captain's faith by dismissing Carey as he took a blinder off his own bowling. Cummins took it upon himself to get the remaining runs as he took 14 runs from Root’s over and kept up with his attacking intent. He had Nathan Lyon with him and the spinner looked really comfortable out in the middle as the two of them added 55 runs to take their side home with the skipper scoring 44 runs having come to bat with 72 runs still needed.

SESSION SUMMARY - 99 runs, 33.3 overs, 3 wickets. A lot depended on Usman Khawaja to help Australia take the game deep after they found half their team back in the shed at the Tea interval with 98 runs needed in the final session. He fought hard to keep the scoreboard ticking while holding up one end and had Cameron Green for company who came out after the break looking to be much more positive. Green added 49 runs with Khawaja for the sixth wicket but chopped one onto his stumps off the bowling on Ollie Robinson on 28.

AUSTRALIA WIN THE FIRST ASHES TEST MATCH BY 2 WICKETS! What an extraordinary game this has been! The pendulum kept constantly swinging both ways and provided us with non-stop entertainment despite the rain interruptions. The reigning Test champions have started their title defense in this World Test Championship cycle with a win against their arch-rivals away from home and have set this series up beautifully. They continue their outstanding form and have shown why they are the best Test team in the world and it is ironic that their captain was the one who took them over the finish line. England fought remarkably hard and one has to now wonder in circumspect if the decision to declare in the first inning was the right one. That said, they have contributed heavily towards providing us with a remarkable spectacle!

Ollie Robinson to Pat Cummins, Four!FOUR! AUSTRALIA WIN! Pat Cummins is pumped up, he lifts Lyon in delight. What an end to this Test match! The 8th wicket partnership has done it for the tourists. Back of a length, around off, Cummins pushes inside the line with soft hands and edges it down towards third man. Harry Brook speeds across to his right from straightish third man and Zak Crawley chases it to his left from deep point. Brook reaches first with a slide but he ends up deflecting it over the fence. Australia win by 2 wickets and have excelled in their first assignment against England's 'Bazball'!

Ollie Robinson to Pat Cummins, No run.A bit short and on off, Pat jumps and defends it to the off side.

Ollie Robinson to Pat Cummins, No run.Well stopped! Shortish and on middle, Cummins helps it towards backward short leg. Pope dives and makes a superb stop moving away to his right.

Stuart Broad to Pat Cummins, 1 run.Short in length and on middle, Cummins jumps and tucks it to mid-wicket for a run. Retains strike and now 3 needed more for Australia.

Stuart Broad to Pat Cummins, No run.On a good length, around middle, Pat defends it back and Broad stops the ball with a dive to his right. The veteran has given his all.

Stuart Broad to Pat Cummins, No run.Back of a length, down the leg side again, Pat once more offers no shot and wears it on his thigh pad.

Stuart Broad to Pat Cummins, No run.Sliding down the leg side, a bit on the shorter side, Cummins offers no shot and it goes off his thigh pad to short leg.

Stuart Broad to Nathan Lyon, 1 run.Short in length, on off, Lyon mistimes his pull shot and it just evades Popes at short leg. They cross. 4 to win as the 50-run stand comes up.

Stuart Broad to Nathan Lyon, No run.Gloves it. Short and on middle, targeting the body, Lyon fends it away. It perhaps takes his gloves and drops wide of Pope at short leg.

Ollie Robinson to Pat Cummins, No run.Maiden and that will keep Lyon on strike. Short in length and outside off, slower in pace, Pat ducks. 5 needed.

Ollie Robinson to Pat Cummins, No run.Short in length and down the leg side, Cummins simply walks across the stumps and lets it go through to Jonny.

Ollie Robinson to Pat Cummins, No run.Yorker around off, Cummins exposes all his stumps as he steps back but does well to dig it out off the bottom part to mid on.

Ollie Robinson to Pat Cummins, No run.A sedate bouncer this time, around middle, an easy duck for the Aussie skipper.

Ollie Robinson to Pat Cummins, No run.Great delivery! Ollie Robinson bends his back and digs it in, around off and it shoots off the surface. Cummins is taken by surprise as he leaps. Does well to drop his wrists as the ball whistles past him. A good take by Jonny Bairstow!

Ollie Robinson to Pat Cummins, No run.Ollie Robinson follows the batter down the leg side with a short delivery, Cummins raises his bat and allows it through.

A big discussion taking place near the pitch among the English players and they have decided to stick with Ollie Robinson.

Stuart Broad to Pat Cummins, 1 run.Nothing fancy from the Aussie skipper. The line is straight from Broad, Cummins eases it away, off his pads and in front of square on the leg side, for a single. 5 needed more.

Stuart Broad to Nathan Lyon, 1 run.Fractionally short, around middle and leg, Lyon glances it through square leg for a single. One big hit away are the Kangaroos!

Stuart Broad to Nathan Lyon, Four!FOUR! The target is under 10 now! The Australian balcony is delighted. Some nervous smiles there! Full in length, around middle, Lyon shows the courage of a lion as he lifts it over mid on for a boundary. Ice in the veins of the GOAT!

Stuart Broad to Pat Cummins, 1 run.Fuller and on off, Cummins plants his front foot across and clips it through backward square leg for a run. 11 needed more.

Stuart Broad to Pat Cummins, No run.Play and a miss! Broad has his hands on his head. He serves it on a length outside off, getting it to hold its line, Cummins presses forward to push inside the line but misses.

Stuart Broad to Pat Cummins, No run.Back of a length, on off, Cummins defends off the back foot to covers.

Ollie Robinson to Nathan Lyon, No run.Play and a miss! Short in length and outside off, Lyon tries his best to cash in with a pull shot but misses. 8 overs left in this Test match, 2 wickets to take for England, and Australia need two big hits.

Ollie Robinson to Nathan Lyon, No run.Shortish and outside off, Lyon goes back to work it towards mid-wicket. He sets off for a run but Cummins sends him back after taking a couple of steps down the track.

Ollie Robinson to Pat Cummins, Leg bye.On middle, a length ball going down, Cummins fails to flick and it goes off his pads to square leg. The bowler appeals a bit as the batters cross. A leg bye is given. 12 needed more.

Ollie Robinson to Pat Cummins, No run.Ollie Robinson targets the off stump with a length ball, Cummins gets on the front foot and defends it to the off side.

Ollie Robinson to Nathan Lyon, 1 run.Back of a length, around middle and leg, Lyon moves across and plays a mistimed pull shot. It comes off the inner portion, clips his thigh pad and rolls wide of the keeper. They cross. 13 needed more.

Ollie Robinson to Nathan Lyon, No run.Short in length, around off and coming slowly off the surface, Lyon gets across and tries to pull but misses. He takes a blow on his body. Cummins looks for a run but is sent back.

Stuart Broad to Nathan Lyon, 1 run.Broad goes full and around off, targeting the pads of the batter but Lyon does well to close the face of his bat in time. He flicks it to mid-wicket and it's an interesting call from Cummins to take a single on the last ball. 14 needed more.

Stuart Broad to Nathan Lyon, No run.Beaten! Broad plants a length ball outside off, Lyon tries to defend but misses. It beats the outside edge by a whisker.

Stuart Broad to Nathan Lyon, No run.Full and outside off, another drive minus footwork from Lyon and he finds mid off again.

Stuart Broad to Nathan Lyon, No run.Fuller in length on off, Lyon drives without any footwork. It goes past the diving bowler to mid off.

Stuart Broad to Pat Cummins, 1 run.On a length around off, Cummins plays it down with gentle hands to covers and pinches a single. 15 needed more.

Stuart Broad to Pat Cummins, No run.Darts in a length ball on off, Cummins defends it back from the leading half of his blade.

Ollie Robinson to Pat Cummins, 1 run.Uses the angle of the bowler well. Around off, on a length, Pat Cummins walks across the stumps and nudges it to fine leg for one. Retains strike. 16 needed more!

Ollie Robinson to Pat Cummins, No run.Back of a length on off, straightening a hint, Cummins gets squared up but defends it well to covers.

Ollie Robinson to Pat Cummins, No run.Pitches it up and around off, Cummins drives it to mid off.

Ollie Robinson to Pat Cummins, Four!FOUR! Full in length and outside off, Cummins reaches out, loses his bottom hand but goes with his aerial shot over covers. Ollie Pope dives but to no avail. Zak slides to make the stop in the deep but ends up pushing it onto the fence. 17 needed more.

Ollie Robinson to Nathan Lyon, 1 run.A nice clip from Lyon! Full ball on middle and leg, drifting down, Lyon helps it down to fine leg and rotates the strike. The stand moves to 33.

Ollie Robinson to Pat Cummins, 1 run.Lands it on a length around off, Cummins drops it with soft hands to covers and takes a single. 22 needed more for Australia - England need 2 wickets.

Stuart Broad to Nathan Lyon, No run.A tempter from Broad! He sprays it full and wide outside off, inviting the drive, Lyon doesn't flash at it and lets it go through to the keeper.

Stuart Broad to Nathan Lyon, No run.Short in length and outside off, Lyon hangs on the back foot and flays at it, only to be beaten. The crowd cheers, they are investing a lot of energy behind every ball. What an atmosphere!

Stuart Broad to Nathan Lyon, Four!FOUR! This will upset the English crowd but Australia will love it. Full and around off as Broad goes searching for some movement, Lyon drives it from the middle of the bat and places it wide of the bowler and the mid-off fielder for a boundary. 23 needed more!

Stuart Broad to Nathan Lyon, No run.Well played. This one is angled into the batter, around off and on a length, Lyon defends it form the middle of the bat and towards the bowler.

Stuart Broad to Nathan Lyon, No run.BEATEN! Back of a length, outside off and holding its line, Lyon has a tentative push inside the line and misses.

Stuart Broad to Nathan Lyon, No run.Begins with a good-length delivery, around off, Lyon covers the line and defends it from the shoulder of his bat to the point region.

England have finally decided to take the new ball and seems like the best option the hosts have for taking a wicket.

Ollie Robinson to Pat Cummins, No run.A low full toss, dipping in around off, Cummins strokes it to mid off.

Ollie Robinson to Pat Cummins, 2 runs.Back of a length, around off, Cummins stays back and gently pushes it in the gap at cover-point. They steal two runs. Smart from the Aussie skipper. The stand is now 27 runs and Australia need another 27 runs for a famous win.

Ollie Robinson to Pat Cummins, No run.Fuller and on off, Cummins covers the line and pushes it to covers.

Slight halt! The ball has gone off the helmet and the physio is out to do a mandatory concussion check. He looks okay and the game is set to resume...

Ollie Robinson to Nathan Lyon, Leg bye.Goes short and around off, Lyon stays back to pull but misses. It brushes his helmet and loops behind the keeper. They cross for a leg bye.

Ollie Robinson to Nathan Lyon, No run.Bouncer around off, Lyon shapes up for the pull shot but then pulls out.

Ollie Robinson to Nathan Lyon, No run.Robinson starts with a short ball on middle and leg, Lyon shuffles across the stumps and tries to glance but misses. It goes right across the face of his bat and nearly takes some part of it.

Ollie Robinson (14-6-29-2) will replace Ben Stokes from this end now and it does not look like he will be taking the new ball either.

Stuart Broad to Pat Cummins, No run.Broad follows the batter down the leg side with a short ball, Cummins leans back and hits it towards covers. Not in the gap. England have a chance to take the new ball and have a real crack at Lyon. Will they do that?

Stuart Broad to Pat Cummins, No run.Short and around middle and leg. The bounce gets big on the batter but Cummins uses his height and defends it down on the surface.

Stuart Broad to Pat Cummins, Four!FOUR! Slapped away! Short in length and wide outside off, Cummins exercises his arms and whacks it through cover-point for a boundary. 30 needed more!

Stuart Broad to Pat Cummins, 2 runs.Digs it in short, around middle, Cummins fends it off towards third man and gets two runs.

Stuart Broad to Nathan Lyon, 1 run.PUT DOWN! Ben Stokes nearly pulled off a stunner. Broad bangs it in short, on middle, Lyon plays a mistimed pull shot in the air. It flies towards square leg where Stokes jumps and stretches his right hand to catch it but it pops out after hitting his palm. Ben tries to catch it on the second attempt but fails. The batters cross.

Stuart Broad to Nathan Lyon, No run.Broad begins with a short ball on off, Lyon sits on the back foot and defends it back. A bit uppish but it's not carrying to the bowler.

Looks like the 14-run over has prompted Ben Stokes to turn to his frontline bowlers. Stuart Broad (16-3-42-3) has been brought into the attack and still has the old ball in his hand.

Joe Root to Pat Cummins, No run.Slower through the air, full and around off, Cummins defends it back to the bowler. 14 from the over to silence the crowd.

Joe Root to Pat Cummins, Six!SIX! Pat is doing it for Australia. Aggression from the skipper. Loopy and full, outside off, Cummins thwacks it over long off for a maximum. 37 needed more.

Joe Root to Pat Cummins, 2 runs.Root drags his length and bowls it short on off, Cummins punches it to sweeper cover for a couple.

Joe Root to Pat Cummins, Six!SIX! High and handsome! Full and floated, just around off, Pat Cummins finds it in his range and pumps it down the ground for a biggie at long off.

Joe Root to Pat Cummins, No run.Turning in from around off, Pat blocks it from the back foot.

Joe Root to Pat Cummins, No run.Flighted and on off, Cummins defends it with the spin to the leg side.

DRINKS! What a cracking contest we are privileged to witness here! This game is going right down to the wire with England needing two wickets to clinch a remarkable win and Australia 51 runs away from grabbing victory out of the jaws of defeat. We also need to keep in mind that there is just an hour left to play with a maximum of 15 overs that can be bowled. With all three results possible we need to fasten our seat belts and sit tight for a nail-biting finish.

Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins, 1 run.Shortish and on off, Pat taps it down towards covers and calls his partner for a run. Stokes chases, slides and has a shy at the bowler's end. He misses as Pat Cummins dives in. Both captains giving it their all. 51 needed with 15 overs to go on the final day of this Test match.

Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins, No run.Digs it in short but again Stokes gets his direction wrong. Cummins has an easy leave.

Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins, No run.Short in length but down the leg side, Cummins shoulders arms as he moves across the stumps.

Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins, No run.Back of a length, on off, Cummins defends it to the off side.

Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins, No run.Smart bowling! Stokes senses the batter stepping back and he follows Cummins with a bouncer on the leg side. Pat ducks somehow as he loses his balance.

Ben Stokes to Nathan Lyon, 1 run.Well played! Short and around leg, Lyon turns and pulls it towards fine leg for a run. Australia have no option but to keep striking and get closer to the target.

Joe Root to Nathan Lyon, 1 run.Full and outside off, pushed in the gap at covers for one.

Joe Root to Nathan Lyon, No run.Flighted again, outside off, Lyon covers his stumps and allows it through.

Joe Root to Nathan Lyon, No run.Loopy and full, outside off, Lyon lunges and defends it back.

Nathan Lyon strides out to the middle and he needs to hang around with his skipper here.

Joe Root to Alex Carey, OUT! c & b Joe Root.OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Root had put two down but he has redeemed himself. The crowd goes Rooooooooooooooooooooooootttttttt! What a champion cricketer!!! The decision to not take the second new ball immediately has worked. Australia are still 54 runs away but now they have only two wickets left. Coming to the delivery, it's tossed up around off, Alex Carey wears his skates to hammer it over and behind the bowler but fails to connect properly. It hurries back to Root who sticks both his hands together and this time grabs a sharp reflex catch. Root gets up and starts to run in joy. Carey is distraught, he has given England a massive opening.

Joe Root to Alex Carey, No run.Play and a miss! Root drops it full and around off, Carey strides forward to drive but it spins and bounces away to beat the bat!

Joe Root to Alex Carey, No run.Flighted and full, around off, Carey stretches forward and pushes it to covers.

The new ball is available now and being brought to the umpire. Will England take it? Ben Stokes has a word with James Anderson and Stuart Broad and they have decided to hold it back for a bit.

Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins, No run.Stokes keeps his length short but the line is down the leg side. Cummins allows it through.

Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins, No run.Bouncer but it's angled down the leg side, Cummins ducks comfortably.

Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins, No run.Shortish and on off, staying a fraction short, Cummins is on his toes but sees the ball all the way as he blocks it to the off side.

Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins, No run.A shade short and on off, jumping a bit onto the batter, Cummins gets on top of the bounce and jams it down on the pitch.

Ben Stokes to Pat Cummins, No run.Back of a length this time, but the line is again down the leg side, Cummins walks across the stumps and lets it go.