Captain Cummins leads Australia to famous victory at Edgbaston

Australia banished their demons of Edgbaston 2005 as they clinched an Ashes Test for the ages on a dramatic day five, securing a famous two-wicket win over England in a tense last-hour finish at Birmingham. Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon provided the match-winning contributions for the visitors, adding 55 runs for the ninth wicket to help Australia chase down 281 on the final day and take a 1-0 lead in the series.

The pair joined hands at the crease after Joe Root removed the last recognised batter, Alex Carey, with over 50 runs still needed and only two wickets in hand, swinging the pendulum in favour of England. However, Cummins launched an immediate counter-attack to flip the script, carting two sixes down the ground off Joe Root to bring the target down to 37. Ben Stokes nearly took a superhuman catch at square leg to dismiss Nathan Lyon, but England struggled to create opportunities against the two tail-enders to seize the win in the final hour.

The hosts stuck to their short-ball ploy against the pair but delayed taking the second new ball and erred with defensive fields, allowing Cummins and Lyon to rotate the strike freely to surge to victory. The off-spinner brought the target down to single figures with a spectacular chipped drive off Broad before Cummins sealed the victory with a cut behind point, helping Australia complete their highest successful Ashes chase in 75 years.

Australia’s heroics in the dying moments of the Test were made possible by the hard graft put in by Usman Khawaja to begin day five. The left-hander showed immense patience and restraint throughout the afternoon, following up his wonderful 141 in the first innings with another vital half-century to keep Australia’s chase alive.

The opener kept England at bay throughout the second session, solidifying one end with his dogged defence to ensure only two wickets fell before Tea. The hosts managed to dismiss night-watchman Scott Boland and Travis Head in quick succession in the second session, but Khawaja and Green added a 49-run stand on either side of Tea to bring the target down to double digits.

More twists awaited in the final session of the Test with Green inside-edging one against Ollie Robinson before Ben Stokes finally ended Khawaja’s vigil on 61 with a leg-cutter. Joe Root added to the drama by taking a fabulous return catch to remove Alex Carey, but Cummins and Lyon held firm until the end to help Australia snatch a 1-0 lead in the series.