Ashes 2015: Another Edgbaston Memory

The result of the match was pretty much decided on day one even before lunch. On a live pitch, Stuart Broad delivered a dream performance. His first over which was also the first over of the match looked like 0, 4LB, W, 2, 4, W. In first six balls of the match Australia lost opener Chris Rogers and Steve Smith and from then on there was no stopping. Wood got rid of David Warner and later Steven Finn took the wicket of the keeper Peter Nevill. Rest eight wickets were all taken by Broad in an unbroken spell of 9.3 overs by conceding just 15 runs. 

Australia were all out for just 60 in 18.3 overs. This was the shortest first innings ever in Test history and Broad’s 8/15 was placed 4th in the Ashes best bowling history. 

Thanks to a century from Joe Root (130) and good support by Jonny Bairstow (74) England piled on the runs and any Australian comeback was not there to see. England declared with the score on 391 on the second day before lunch.

Australia started their second innings strongly as the openers added 113 in the first wicket with both reaching their individual fifties. Rogers were first to go with the team total on 113. However, Australia were soon 136/4 as Warner went soon after and Steve Smith had a rare double failure in the match. They kept losing wickets regularly and looked like the Test might get over within two days. However, a patient fifty from Adam Voges ensured that the match went to the third day. However, England completed the innings win early in the third day. Voges remained unbeaten as Ben Stokes finished with 6 for 36 and Mark Wood got 3 for 69 in the second innings.

With the win, England got a 3-1 lead in the series with only one more Test to go. Alastair Cook won the Ashes for the second time at home whereas Australian captain Michael Clarke announced that the last Test would be his farewell match in the international cricket.