Root century leads England’s charge on whirlwind Ashes Day 1

The opening day of the 2023 Ashes lived up to the hype as England treated a full house at Edgbaston to another entertaining display with the bat against their age-old rivals. Joe Root led the way for the hosts, creaming a majestic century to take England to 393 for 8 before Ben Stokes’ daring declaration, the earliest in Ashes history, forced Australia to survive a stern 20-minute examination against the new ball before stumps.

It was a breathless day of action under sunny Birmingham skies as Australia tasted their first experience of Bazball. Zak Crawley signalled England’s intent off the first ball of the series, crunching a half-volley from Pat Cummins through the covers to set the tone for the day. Crawley’s start was a sign of things to come on a flat pitch offering no movement as the opener put on a cover-driving masterclass throughout the first session to race to a half-century.

Australia countered England’s attacking approach and the lack of movement on offer with fielders manning the boundary from the first over and some tempting lines outside off-stump. The returning Josh Hazlewood managed to tempt Ben Duckett into a false shot in the fourth over, but it was Nathan Lyon who enjoyed the most success, pinning Ollie Pope on his pads for 31 to pick up the first of four wickets on the day.

England kept up their attacking momentum after losing Zak Crawley on the final ball of lunch for 61, with Harry Brook going after Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland in the second session. Fortunately, Australia were offered some respite when Brook departed in bizarre fashion, with the ball looping off his thigh pad and onto the stumps. Ben Stokes followed Brook to the pavilion soon after, edging Hazlewood for one to leave England in a tricky spot at 176 for 5.

However, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow allayed any English fears by putting on a century stand. The Yorkshire pair took the attack to the Australians on either side of Tea. While Root motored along and pulled out some of his reverse sweeps and scoops to find the boundary, Bairstow carted the pacers through the off-side to bring up a brisk half-century on his return from injury.

Nathan Lyon pulled Australia back into the contest, getting Bairstow and Moeen Ali stumped in quick succession, but Joe Root guided England closer to 400 with his 30th Test century. The number four didn’t hold back after getting to three figures, carting Nathan Lyon for two sixes in a 20-run over before Ben Stokes took the daring decision to declare with Root on 118* and 393 on the board.

The English skipper forced Australia to see out a testing 20-minute spell against the new ball, a period which the openers comfortably negotiated, scoring 14 runs in four overs.