ENG vs AUS Highlights, Ashes 2023, 1st Test Day 5: Usman Khawaja, Pat Cummins Take Australia to a Famous Win at Edgbaston

Australia win the first Test by 2 wickets. What a finish to an absolute cracker of a contest. Pat Cummins guides one from Ollie Robinson towards third man region and the fielder fails to make the stop. Cummins takes off his helmet, throws it away, drops his bat and runs off in wild celebration. And he picks up Nathan Lyon as Australia take 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Australia overhaul the target of 281 to finish the contest with 282/8 in 92.3 overs. Cummins remains unbeaten on 44 off 73, Nathan Lyon 16 not out. A win for the ages.

Stuart Broad continues to give his all – diving on follow through to prevent every run possible. However, the requirement is now just three runs for Australia as Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins take a single each in the over.

Six overs left in the day now and Australia need to score 5 in them with two wickets in hand. Ollie Robinson has just bowled six dot balls. Pat Cummins has made 39 off 66. Nathan Lyon has scored 15 off 26. The current partnership is now 49 off 63.

Nathan Lyon launches one over mid-on from Stuart Broad and sets the ball rolling away for a four. Australia need 7 to win now.

Slow and steady seems to be the mantra for Australia right now. No big shots attempted. In the past couple of overs. Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson currently in operation. Score 269/8 in 89 overs, chasing 281.

The new ball has been taken. Some bounce for England pacer but no movement so far.  Nathan Lyon unfurled a sumptuous off-drive for a four off Stuart Broad before Pat Cummins drove one over covers for a four of his own in the following over of Ollie Robinson.

Hang on, says Pat Cummins as he clatters a couple of sixes in the over of Joe Root to keep the Test wide open. Twice Root dangled the carrot and Cummins snatched it away. Twice he launched Root over long-off for a couple of sixes. 14 runs from the over. AUS need 37 to win from 14 overs now.

OUT! Brilliant decision from Ben Stokes to not take the new ball and continue bowling with Joe Root who repays the faith by taking  a sharp return catch to get rid of Alex Carey on 20. Root had dropped a couple of catches off his own bowling before but not this time. Carey charged forward and muscled it towards the bowler who gobbled it with both hands.

With Australia’s tail exposed, England are anticipating a wicket every delivery now. Alex Carey is the last recognised batter who is still in the middle and has been joined by Pat Cummins who can bat though. Australia need 62 runs to win with 19 overs remaining.

OUT! Ben Stokes enters the attack for the first time this innings and with his 12th delivery makes a massive impact as he dislodges the well-set Usman Khawaja on 65. He wanted to play this one towards third man and ends up getting an edge onto the stumps.

Moeen Ali continues to bowl half-tracker and Alex Carey pulls one away for his first four of this innings which brings up Australia’s 200 in 67.4 overs.

OUT! Ollie Robinson gets England a much-needed breakthrough. A little indecision from Cameron Green as he tries to run it down to the third man region but ends up directing it onto the stumps to be bowled on 28. Edgbaston is roaring again.

Ollie Robinson starts the proceedings in the final session. This Test is still on a knife-edge. Australia need 98 more to win the Ashes opener.

A closely fought session comes to an end. England picked up a couple of wickets including that of dangerman Travis Head and nightwatchman Scott Boland. However, Usman Khawaja continued to be solid as ever, completing a patient fifty. Cameron Green has gotten a start having reached 22 off 54. The current partnership is now worth 40 off 85. Australia need 98 off 38 overs now.

With a single, Usman Khawaja brings down the requirement into two figures. Australia now need 99 runs to win with a well-set Khawaja on 56 and Cameron Green getting a good start as well, reaching 21 off 43.

FIFTY! Usman Khawaja gets to a patient half-century. Gets to the milestone with a couple of runs. A hundred in the first innings and fifty in the second. This Test has been a memorable one for the Aussie opener.

Well, the tensions are rising. During the drinks break, Usman Khawaja and Ollie Robinson had a little exchange. James Anderson pulled Robinson away, playing the peacemaker. Australia 161/5 in 51 overs, chasing 281.

Jaffa!

OUT! Big moment in this contest. Moeen Ali has gotten rid of dangerman Travis Head cheaply on 16. A floater from Moeen and it turns, bounces to take the shoulder of the bat before nestling into the palms of Joe Root at slip. Big wicket for England. Australia have lost half their side now.

Streaky but Travis Head won’t mind. Stuart Broad tests him with a short delivery. Head goes after it with a pull shot but gets a top edge instead. The ball flies wide of wicketkeeper for a four.