On a tense final day of the Test match, the ninth-wicket partnership of Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon defied the raucous crowd and added an unbroken 55 runs to guide Australia to their target of 281.
This triumph served as redemption for Australia’s heart-wrenching two-run loss at the same venue 18 years ago when their tailenders agonizingly fell short of chasing down 282 runs.
Cummins, with an unbeaten 44, and Lyon’s resilient 16 not out carried Australia to their narrowest Ashes victory in terms of wickets since 1907.
England appeared to be on the verge of victory when captain Ben Stokes delivered a magical slower ball that dismissed Usman Khawaja for 65, followed by Joe Root’s stunning return catch to remove Alex Carey.
However, as the match entered its final hour with a captivating atmosphere, Cummins and Lyon countered England’s short-ball strategy and steadily propelled Australia closer to the target.
Stokes almost produced a remarkable catch to dismiss Lyon when Australia still required 37 runs, but he lost control of the ball as he dived backward at square leg.
With the target ticking down and the evening drawing in, Cummins skillfully guided Ollie Robinson’s delivery toward third man. A diving Harry Brook fumbled, allowing Australia to secure an extraordinary victory.
The ongoing Ashes series has already lived up to the expectations, and the action will continue with the second Test scheduled to be held at Lord’s on June 28.
Cummins and Lyon’s Revenge, 18 Years Later
In 2005, Australia found themselves in a similar predicament on the fourth morning, requiring 107 runs with only two wickets remaining. Back then, their last three batsmen – Shane Warne, Brett Lee, and Michael Kasprowicz – almost achieved the improbable.
Now, 18 years later, Cummins and Lyon embarked on their own rescue mission and successfully guided Australia to victory.
For most of the final day, the touring team struggled to make progress. Starting the day at 107-3, they appeared to be stuck in neutral gear. Khawaja, who had scored a century in the first innings, added a mere 31 runs from 197 balls and seemed unmovable.
Stokes conjured a slower ball from his limited physical condition, dismissing Carey and shifting the favor towards England. But the indomitable duo of Cummins and Lyon refused to surrender.
Earlier, Root had missed a low caught-and-bowled opportunity when Cummins had only six runs to his name, and the England captain would later pay the price as Cummins hammered 14 runs in a single over.
In the following over, Stokes threw himself at a catch that could have rivaled his iconic grab in the 2019 World Cup, but this time, he couldn’t hold on.
Although the new ball was eventually taken, Australia’s confidence grew. Whenever the outside edge was beaten, they managed to steal a single. Cummins unleashed a powerful shot past a diving Ollie Pope at cover, while Lyon struck Stuart Broad down the ground for two boundaries.
Despite England’s attempts to create opportunities, Australia remained within striking distance of victory for more than two overs. With three runs needed, Cummins skillfully fended off a short ball, and the flailing Brook couldn’t prevent the ball from reaching the boundary.
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The moment Australia’s total reached 282, matching their target from the dramatic 2005 encounter, Cummins tossed his bat in the air, igniting wild celebrations among his teammates.
The thrilling contest at Edgbaston serves as a reminder of the intensity and fierce competition that defines the Ashes. With the series now poised for the second Test at Lord’s, fans can eagerly anticipate more enthralling cricketing battles in the weeks to come.