After being demolished at Lord’s, England came to Birmingham and quickly turned the tables on Australia, their biggest rivals, by dominating Day 1 of the third Ashes Test at fortress Edgbaston. This was a classic day one as the England bowlers, Jimmy Anderson in particular, was simply unplayable.
You can try things like moving your fingers wider apart but you still have to get the length right—Jimmy did that beautifully and showed all his cleverness and skill.
Shane Warne
It was one of the great days of England’s Ashes cricket. England had been trampled and dominated at Lord’s by Australia’s cavalry, yet the players lifted themselves up and staged a brilliant counterattack which left them only three runs behind Australia with seven wickets in hand at close of play on the opening day.
James Anderson claimed six for 47 as the hosts made the most of Michael Clarke’s generous decision to let them bowl first, dismissing their opponents for just 136. David Warner was the first of Anderson’s six victims in an outstanding display—the Lancastrian moved the ball through the air and off the surface as he produced his best Ashes figures.
While Anderson rightly took centre stage after his six-for, fellow seamers Stuart Broad and Steven Finn played excellent supporting roles. England only used three bowlers as Australia were all out in 36.4 overs. It was short and not so sweet for the tourists
England were close to parity by the close of play in Birmingham, reaching stumps on 133 for three in reply. Ian Bell made 53 on his home ground, though he was dismissed just before the heavens opened again. The fans left Edgbaston once again delighted, after seeing 13 wickets in one day and a fantastic England bowling performance against their biggest enemies.
SECURE TICKETS FOR THE FIRST DAY OF THE UK’S FIRST EVER DAY/NIGHT TEST
England have lost just once in Test match cricket at Edgbaston since 2002 and have recorded victories in their last two Investec Test matches in Birmingham; against Australia in 2015 and Pakistan in 2016. However, West Indies is the only nation to have secured more wins over England at Edgbaston with the tourists currently leading the home nation 4-2 in the previous nine encounters between these two great cricketing sides.
Tickets for England versus West Indies in the Day/Night Investec Test match are priced from £26 for adults and from £6 for under 16s. Secure your day one tickets now and be part of history by attending the first day of the UK’s first ever day/night Test. Please click here or call the Ticket Hotline on 0844 847 1902 to purchase tickets.
