Twitter Reactions ASHES 2023

'Nikal gayi Bazball ki hawa?' - Fans abuzz as Australia defeat England by 2 wickets in Test 1 of Ashes 2023

Australia took a 1-0 lead in the 5-Test Ashes 2023 series by winning the first Test by 2 wickets. Here's how fans reacted.

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Rohit Kumar
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Pat Cummins, Australia

Pat Cummins, Australia (Source: Twitter)

Usman Khawaja's outstanding Test batting performance and Australia's captain Pat Cummins' valiant innings on the final day helped Australia defeat England by two wickets at Edgbaston. With just 27 balls remaining, Australia overcame a 281-run total to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match Ashes 2023 series.

Australia began Day 5 at 107 for 3 after the weather once again caused havoc by delaying the start of play and completely cancelling the first session. After picking up where he left off on Day 4, England pacer Stuart Broad dismissed Australia's night watchman Scott Boland on Day 5. This was his team's maiden victory. The next batsman up was the in-form Travis Head, but he only managed to score 16 runs before being bowled out in the 45th over by spin-bowling all-rounder Moeen Ali.

After that, Khawaja and Cameron Green put together a crucial 49-run stand, and Khawaja went on to score his 22nd half-century in Test cricket. Green, however, was unable to sustain the Australian opener for very long and was caught dragging an Ollie Robinson delivery against his stumps. After making 28 runs off of 66 balls and hitting two boundaries, Green left the pitch.

Pat Cummins with an unbeaten 44 off 73 balls remained the match-winner for Australia

In the 72nd over, after Khawaja had sliced a good-length delivery against the stumps, England skipper Ben Stokes made the crucial breakthrough for his team.

With only three wickets left, the game became tense as Australia tried to up the scoring rate while yet being careful. England attempted to put the Australian batters under strain with Root at one end and Stokes at the other. It finally succeeded when Alex Carey stepped out to hit Root for a six but instead hit the ball straight at him, who held on to a fantastic catch to inflict a nearly fatal blow to Australia.

When it appeared that England would easily win the game, Cummins bashed Root for two sixes in the 83rd over to reduce the needed score to 37 runs in 14 overs. Stokes missed a simple catch in the very next over, giving Nathan Lyon and Australia a chance to save the game.

Australia recovered from the "ashes" after the dropped catch and finished off the chase with 27 balls and two wickets left. Lyon contributed with 16 runs off 28 deliveries to help Cummins, who finished unbeaten on 44 off 73 balls.

Here’s how fans reacted:

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