Australia drew first blood in the Ashes in an absolute epic as England lost the first test by two wickets at Edgbaston.
Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon contributed an unbeaten 55 on the ninth wicket on a tense final day to overcome the hostile crowd and help Australia reach their target of 281.
In doing so, they exacted retribution for Australia’s infamous two-run loss on this pitch in the year 2000, when the tailenders just missed a target of 282.
It marks Australia’s fourth straight victory in the opening Test of an Ashes series and their closest Ashes victory in terms of wickets since 1907.
When England’s captain Ben Stokes bowled Usman Khawaja for 65 with a miraculous slower ball, and Joe Root successfully held an incredible return catch from Alex Carey, it appeared as though England was on the verge of triumph.
However, Cummins and Lyon swung the bat at England’s short-ball strategy to bring Australia closer as a tense match entered its last hour.
Stokes almost dismissed Lyon with a flying catch for the ages when 37 were still required, the captain losing control of the ball as he dived backwards at square leg.
The target ticked down, the evening drew in. With three runs required and less than five overs remaining, Cummins deflected Ollie Robinson towards third man, a diving Harry Brook fumbled and Australia had an incredible victory.
A series that has already lived up to the hype continues with the second Test at Lord’s on 28 June.
