Day five of the Ashes – England’s Edgbaston run ended by Australia

Australia turned ‘Fortress Edgbaston’ into a Lyon’s den as they drew first blood in the Ashes with a thumping 251-run victory over England in the opening Test.

The hosts arrived on day five looking to recreate the rearguard that saw them escape from Cardiff with a draw in the first match of the 2009 series but instead found themselves knocked over for 146, with Nathan Lyon spinning his way to six wickets.

England had not lost a Test at their Birmingham stronghold since 2008 and toasted victory in each of their previous 11 matches here across all formats. Australia, meanwhile, had lost 15 successive games on Warwickshire’s turf, dating all the way back to 2001.

But, just three weeks on from a historic World Cup success, the second part of English cricket’s golden summer got off to a dreadful start as they were rolled over well before tea.

Tweet of the day

Snap shot

Stat attack

England had won their last 11 matches in all formats at the Birmingham venue, the latest of which came when they walloped Australia by seven wickets in the World Cup semi-final last month. Australia, meanwhile, claimed their first win here since 2001 – which was also the last time they won the urn on English soil.

Wilson woe

Umpire Joel Wilson tied the Test record for the most decisions overturned by the Decision Review System (eight) after another two lbw misjudgements on Monday, both against Joe Root. The first was comfortably missing leg while a big inside edge spared the England captain soon after. Wilson’s performance came in for a barrage of criticism on social media.

Same old Aussies, always winning

England supporters, particularly those in the Hollies Stand, have taken delight in chanting ‘same old Aussies, always cheating’ at every available opportunity, a callback to last year’s ball-tampering scandal. The touring fans had the last laugh, though, belting out ‘same old Aussies, always winning’ at the conclusion of the Test.

An annoying buzz

There was a brief delay to proceedings on the final morning when Jason Roy was disturbed by a buzzing sound which turned out to be a stump mic, prompting the timbers to be changed. Michael Atherton had the line of the day, welcoming the arrival of another former England captain turned pundit to the Sky commentary box by saying: “Speaking of an annoying buzzing sound, here comes Nasser Hussain.”

Lyon’s den

Lyon’s six for 49 on a track offering prodigious turn moved him past 350 Test wickets, only the seventh spinner to do so. Lyon’s figures put Pat Cummins in the shade but the paceman’s four for 32 deserves to be remembered, the pick of his wickets a peach that left Jos Buttler groping at thin air, the ball keeping a little low before clattering into the England batsman’s off-pole.

What’s next

August 14: England v Australia, day one of the second Ashes Test, Lord’s