Australia is out to prove that England’s bold decision to declare late on Day 1 of the first Ashes Test was a mistake.
England won the toss and batted, reaching 8/393 before making a stunning declaration the earliest in Ashes history – despite Joe Root unbeaten on 118 and piling on runs at a rapid rate.
But Australian openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja survived a 20-minute assault from England’s bowlers in front of the rowdy crowd at Edgbaston.
They reached stumps on eight and four runs respectively, with Australia 0/14 at the end of play – and with Warner striking the first blow in his highly-anticipated battle with Stuart Broad, who dismissed him seven times in 10 innings in the 2019 Ashes series on English shores.
The pair will resume battle when play begins at 8pm AEST, but much of the focus will turn to the pitch, which was a lifeless road on the opening day – allowing England’s batters to confidently attack in their aggressive ‘Bazball’ style.
Should the pitch remain firmly in favour of the men with the willow in hand, Australia will be hopeful of a fruitful day at the crease – one that could well have England ruing their decision to declare rather than pile on extra runs late on the opening day.
ASHES MATCH CENTRE: Edgbaston Test scorecard, stats
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