Pat Cummins has rescued Australia with a swashbuckling captain's knock to break English hearts in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
Stokes added he accepted that there would be some critics of England's declaration and aggressive tactics but said the team would not shy away from its strategies.
Nightwatchman Boland didn't last long and edged a Broad delivery bringing the dynamic Travis Head to the crease but he was soon on his way for 16 off 24 balls.The tall all-rounder partnered with Khawaja to put on a stand of 49 but was bowled by Ollie Robinson on 28, leaving Australia with 90 to get. Ben Stokes dropped a tough chance when Nathan Lyon skied one over square leg with less than 10 runs left. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
The match eventually wound down with Australia in need of three runs and England needing two wickets in the final 28 balls of the day. Australia appeared to be slightly stunned by the aggression brought by the English openers and Cummins was frantically changing the field to stop the rapid flow of runs.
That brought former English captain Joe Root to the crease who immediately looked comfortable scoring freely despite the Australian fielders being scattered across the ground with many left on the boundary. Usman Khawaja rescued Australia with a stellar knock of 141 when the side was struggling in the first innings. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images
The early declaration was well within the parameters of BazBall but had many wondering whether it would be a big enough total to really test the Australian batting line up. Australia then found itself in trouble as Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed the very next ball for a golden duck bringing Steve Smith to the crease with the job of consolidating ahead.
He and Khawaja put up a stand of 81 dragging the team to 148 before Head chipped a Moeen Ali delivery to midwicket on 50 bringing Green to the wicket. The century was game changing for Australia and kept the side in the contest while at the other end Carey brought up his own 50.Day three started perfectly for England with the early dismissal of Carey bringing Cummins to the crease who was resilient in his batting, scoring his highest Test score in years.
Dave Warner was the first Aussie to fall in their second innings after a fighting 36. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty ImagesThe ramp shots continued before Pope was bowled by a brilliant in-swinging yorker courtesy of Cummins. The home side was all out for 273 after 66 overs and setting a total of 281, meaning Australia would have to register their highest ever run chase at Edgbaston if they were to win the Ashes opener.
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