Ashes 1st Test Edgbaston: Joe Root's astonishing hundred powered England to a massive 393/8 d in the first innings before a surprising declaration came in from English captain Ben Stokes. England batted for most of the day and then brought the Aussies batters in to check their temprament in the dying stages of Day 1 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. However, Australia remain unscathed as David Warner and Usman Khawaja took their team to 14 in four overs.
The highlights of the day remained Joe Root's special ton and England's usual 'Bazball' approach. As we have seen many-a-times in the past that England keep the run-rate around 5 an over despite losing wickets, we got to see it for yet another day. Wickets tumbled but England kept doing what has worked for them in the past one and a half year. Root's 118* from 152 balls was easily the knock of the day as he showcased his A game with positive approach. Zak Crawley and Jonny Bairstow were the other half-centurions and were more aggressive with the bat.
Zak Crawley's intent set the tone
It was Zak Crawley, who set the tone for England on Day 1 after winning the toss. He smoked Aussie captain Pat Cummins to a first-ball four that left Ben Stokes surpirsed as well. Crawley took on the other Aussie pacers as well and was striking at more than run-a-ball at a time. He scored 61 runs in 73 balls in the first session before getting out.
Bairstow, Root took charge
England were in a spot of bother after the fall of a few quick wickets. They lost Harry Brook and Ben Stokes inside a run and were on 176/5 before Bairstow and Root took charge. Bairstow was a bit cautious in the start but then took the fifth gear. He was on course of a hundred but got out on run-a-ball 78. After Root got to his ton, England declared on 393/8.
Aussie openers go unbeaten
In what could have been a tricky period of final 4 overs, the Australian openers - David Warner and Usman Khawaj remained unbeaten despite a run-out chance early on. They carry their bat on 14/0 and trail by 379 at the end of a fascinating day of Test cricket.
