Xtra Time Web Desk: There were wild scenes as Pat Cummins hit the winning boundary to pull off a sensational 2 wicket win over England in the first Ashes test at Edgbaston on Tuesday. Australia were down and out on 254/8 when Cummins walked in with the visitors still required 72 runs. But Cummins (44* from 73) along with Nathan Lyon (16 off 28) withstood the pressure from the English bowlers to snatch win from the claws of defeat. The duo stitched a partnership of 55 runs for the 9th wicket.
England captain Ben Stokes dropped Lyon when he was on 2, though it was a difficult one-handed chance.
The hero of this test match was Usman Khawaja for his monumental effort. The left hander batted for a total of 518 balls in this test match i.e., 86.2 overs which is 50 balls more than the entire England team batted in first innings. After scoring a gritty 145 runs in the first innings, Khawaja scored a brilliant 65 runs in the second innings before being bowled out by Stokes.
England and Stokes must be wondering at the hindsight was the declaration in the first day a right one. The visitors clinched their highest successful chase in an Ashes clash since 1948 after a game that will go down in cricketing folklore.
Earlier in the day, the first session was lost due to rain with Australia requiring 174 runs to win and England needing 7 wickets.
The win see Australia take a 1-0 lead in the Ashes with four more test matches to be played. The second test will begin at Lords from June 28.