EdGbaston, June 17
With his magnificent, and certainly timely, unbeaten 30th Test century Joe Root saw England to 393 for eight declared on the first day of the Ashes series, and in the process brought about a recovery to the innings which had begun to somewhat flounder halfway through. At close, Australia were 14 without loss.
Having decided to make first use of a fine batting pitch and in brilliant sunshine, England lost the first wicket in only the fourth over when Ben Duckett was caught behind for 12 after playing shots somewhat tentatively from the start.
Zak Crawley, however, settled in quite quickly and England brought up the 50 of the innings at the rate of a run-a-minute after 10.4 overs. Crawley, having hit the first ball of the series for a lovely cover drive for four, continued to play shots freely which brought him seven fours in his ninth Test fifty from just 56 balls. It was exhilarating cricket with England batsmen living up to their ‘bazball’ style of batting.
After putting on 70 for the second wicket with Crawley, Ollie Pope fell lbw for 31 to Nathan Lyon. It was a leg stump ball but he was given not out. Australia asked for a review and that went in their favour.
It was looking good for England on 92 for one at one stage and within nine overs it was suddenly 124 for three at lunch. Not long after the start of the second session there was further success for Australia. Harry Brooks got to 32 from 37 balls and included in his 4 fours were two in one over off Scott Boland.
His dismissal was extraordinary, bowled by Lyon with the ball hitting him on the thigh pad and going up in the air before falling behind his leg and on to the stumps and England were 175 for four. A run later England lost Ben Stokes for one, attempting to drive Hazelwood, on the up, he edged behind. He asked for a review which went against him.
A revival of the innings came with Root’s wonderful effort. At tea England were 240 for 5. In the final session Bairstow reached his 24th Test half century from 58 balls. He then drove Lyon to mid-wicket for 4 to bring up the hundred of the partnership. It was the 11th time in Tests that these two Yorkshiremen have put together a hundred stand, and it took them 25.5 overs.
On reaching 78 at a-run-a-ball with 12 fours, with England on 297, Bairstow was sixth out after deciding to go down the pitch once again to Lyons. He missed the ball and Carey behind the stumps did the rest. It was on excellent, entertaining performance which revived the innings when it seemed to be losing its way. Root remained in control picking the right balls to hit his seven fours and two sixes.
Lyon claimed his fourth wicket with Moeen Ali caught behind for a quick 18 and with Stuart Broad bowled for 16, England were 350 for eight. Having patiently plodded through the 90s for 10 overs, Root finally reached the three figures and celebrated it with two mighty sixes off Lyon in the last over before the declaration.
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