A 55-run, ninth-wicket stand between Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon has willed Australia to a famous, two-wicket win at Edgbaston to take a 1-0 series lead in The Ashes.
The visitors entered Day 5 at 3-for-107 chasing 281 and, after the poor weather subsided, limped their way to 8-for-227.
Cummins finished on an unbeaten 44 with Lyon by his side on 16 with the English watching on in disbelief as a Cummins’ edge flew past third man and over the rope in front of a rabid section of Australian fans.
It marked Australia’s highest successful run chase in England in 51 years.
Almost four years on from their infamous Headingley loss, Australia managed to flip the script and pull off a miracle of their own.
Usman Khawaja – who top-scored for Australia in both innings – was awarded Player of the Match honours for a dominant first-innings ton and a crucial 65.
England won the toss and batted in superb, opening day conditions with an unbeaten Joe Root hundred pushing them to 8-for-393 before Ben Stokes made the curious call to declare prior to stumps.
Zak Crawley made a skilful 61 with Jonny Bairstow adding a run-a-ball 78 for England whilst Lyon took four wickets whilst Josh Hazlewood took two.
A Marnus Labuschagne golden duck was not enough to sink the Australian innings with Usman Khawaja (141) anchoring the innings along with cameos from Travis Head (50), Alex Carey (66), and Cummins (38).
Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson led the way for England with three wickets apiece.
With a lead of seven, England’s second innings got off to a less than ideal start losing their first two wickets for just 27.
Cameos from Root (46), Harry Brook (46), and Ben Stokes (43) nudged England to 273 with Cummins and Lyon taking four wickets each as Australia was set a target of 281.
David Warner, Steve Smith, and Labuschagne all fell before stumps on Day 4.
With rain wiping out the opening session of the final day, the task was simple for both countries – seven more wickets for England and 174 more runs for Australia.
The visitors slumped to 8-for-227 before Cummins and Lyon put together one of the best tail-end stands in recent memory.
The scene of the series shifts to Lord’s next Wednesday for a pivotal second Test.
