Twitter In All Praise For Australia As Tim Paine And Co Crush England In 1st Ashes Test

Australia delivered first punch in the opening Test of Ashes 2019 by crushing England at their fortress, Edgbaston. Chasing a target of 398, the Three Lions slumped to a 251-run run defeat.

It was always going to be an uphill task for the home side and they danced to the spin of Nathan Lyon,  who scalped a six-fer in 20 overs. Pat Cummins scalped four wickets, including the final wicket of Chris Woakes who survived for 54 balls.

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Twitterati was in all awe of Australia as they cruised to a win in opening Ashes Test. Here is how Twitter reacted to Australia’s win –

Now I understand why the crowd were flourishing all that fake sandpaper. They were saying: look at Australia’s grit.#ashes2019

— Greg Baum (@GregBaum) August 5, 2019

Great win to Australia.

And a wonderful Test match @Edgbaston – one of the most enjoyable sporting events I’ve been to. #TheAshes pic.twitter.com/UhsPBDBL6d

— Paul Dennett (@the_summer_game) August 5, 2019

Tim Paine all set to break record books as captain.

The accidental captain who broke England. #Ashes

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) August 5, 2019

Couldn't have asked for a better start to the #Ashes. Test cricket at its best! #ENGvAUS

— Jay (@SchwiftyThings_) August 5, 2019

1-0 to Australia ?? #Ashes

Fitting that Steve Smith takes the catch to clinch the match. Match changer. Nathan Lyon 6-fa was terrific too pic.twitter.com/MVwf84mW0v

— ?Stephanie Dempsey (@Stephanie85WAGY) August 5, 2019

Hands up everyone who got to the end off day 1 thinking Australia would win this. Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? #Ashes

— Angry Exile ? (@AngryExile) August 5, 2019

Australia win!

A superb performance with bat and ball, especially in the second innings, sees them take a 1-0 lead in the 2019 men's Ashes.#Ashes pic.twitter.com/1W5ACF0ktJ

— ICC (@ICC) August 5, 2019

Pat Cummins since his comeback (Mar 2017)
Tests – 20
Innings – 37
Wickets – 94
Average – 22.01
SR – 46.8
Best – 6/23
5-fer – 3
10-fer – 1
….
43 wkts @ 23.34 in 9 away Tests… next best away Aussie pacer Jos Hazlewood (14 wkts @ 48.7 ?)#Ashes

— JSK (@imjsk27) August 5, 2019

Steve Smith laid down the base to Australia’s historic win with twin centuries in the Test. Making his comeback to the longest format of the game after around 18 months, Smith’s century in the first innings came after the team slumped to a score of 35/3. Taking the team ahead, Smith propelled Australia to 284.

Rory Burns highlighted England’s reply with his maiden Ashes ton. Riding on his century and handy contributions from Joe Root and Ben Stokes, England gained a lead of 90.

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For once again, Australia’s batting order slumped and Smith created history with yet another century to keep Australia ahead.

Apart from him, Matthew Wade, another comeback man, scored a century and Australia asked England to chase down 398 in little more than a day’s play.

After surviving tricky overs on day 4, England failed to carry on and lost half of their side on a score of 85. Lyon and Cummins combined to topple England’s batting line-up to breach England’s fortress.

England’s case was made worse with an injury to James Anderson, who bowled just four overs in the match. A calf injury meant he did bowl in the second innings.

There are high chances of Jofra Archer making his Test debut in the 2nd Test that kicks off on August 14.