England at Edgbaston: England topple Australia en route to Ashes triumph

England have enjoyed several stand-out Test victories at Edgbaston over the years, with few carrying as much importance as their victory at The People’s Home of Cricket in the 2015 Ashes.

2026-08-19T12:00+01:00

After winning the opening Test of the highly anticipated series, but having suffered a heavy 405-run defeat in the second Test at Lord’s in the second Test, England arrived in Birmingham under pressure. England would produce an emphatic response to move two-one up in the series in front of a bumper crowd at Edgbaston.

The Test lasted just three days, with England stamping their authority on the series with an eight-wicket victory.

After Australia had won the toss and elected to bat, it was England that put themselves firmly in control after a complete performance with the ball and some James Anderson magic. Anderson finished with six for 47, with Stuart Broad and Steven Finn taking two wickets apiece as Australia were dismissed inside 40 overs for 136.

Scores of 63 from Joe Root and 53 from Ian Bell helped England surpass Australia’s total but the bowling attack comprising of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson and Nathan Lyon pegged England back to 190 for seven. Important runs down the order by Moeen Ali (59) and Stuart Broad (31) helped England stretch their first innings advantage though, as they were dismissed for 281.

A counter attacking 77 off 62 balls at the top of the order by David Warner was the best it got for Australia in their reply as an inspired Finn took six for 79 as Michael Clarke’s side were bowled out for 265, leaving England needing 121 for victory as the game moved on at pace.

England lost Adam Lyth and Alastair Cook cheaply, but an unbeaten 73 run stand between Bell (65*) and Root (38*) saw the hosts home by eight wickets, as they took a two-one lead in the series.

Momentum was firmly with England when the teams left Birmingham, and England would move into an unassailable three-one lead with another dominant performance at Trent Bridge in the fourth Test.

England's victory at Edgbaston proved an important turning point in an Ashes series that would ultimately finish 3-2 in England's favour.

Test cricket returns to Edgbaston in September for the third and final Test between England and Pakistan. Tickets for the opening three days are limited. Be there to watch the Final Chapter.