Australia faces realities of Bazball after blistering batting display and pre-stumps declaration from England
In a wild opening day of the Ashes, it was England who did all the attacking. The hosts scored at more than five runs an over before a bold declaration from Ben Stokes.
Defensive fields may continue to be necessary as Australia accepts that keeping England to five runs per over could be a pass mark during the Ashes.
On a remarkable opening day to the series at Edgbaston, England posted almost 400 at better than five runs per over then made a pre-stumps declaration before David Warner survived an early salvo from nemesis Stuart Broad.
Joe Root’s unbeaten 118 - his 30th Test ton and first Ashes century since 2015 - led England to 8-393 when Ben Stokes declared after just 78 overs, with the Aussies making it to stumps at 0-14 through four overs.
England had been 5-176 before a 121-run stand between Root and Jonny Bairstow (78 from 78) shifted the balance of the game back in the hosts’ direction.
Nathan Lyon took 4-149 from 29 overs as all of Australia’s bowlers went at more than four runs per over on a flat wicket.
Australian captain Pat Cummins spread the field from the start of the day, generally positioning at least three men on the boundary to deal with England’s high-octane Bazball approach.
Returning paceman Josh Hazlewood (2-61 from 15) said the Aussies were getting their heads around how to handle such a dynamic opponent.
“I think from a bowling front, things went pretty well. Obviously there’s things we’d change, looking back, and we’ll probably dig into that more tomorrow at some stage but it’s a different way of going about it. We had different fields at different stages. Some worked, some probably didn’t,” Hazlewood said.
“I think probably the line we bowled (was a touch off). In England you’re probably thinking to keep on that fourth and fifth stump and keep looking for the outside edge, when the wicket probably dictated not that.
“We had to change our game plan I guess a fair bit and come straighter, and we were probably just in between bowling straight and really setting that field and staying there and really bowling that line and length channel. So it’s just about jumping into that and really going all in on that I think, which we probably should have a little bit earlier, and really stuck to it for longer.”
Despite England’s rapid scoring rate, Hazlewood said the day had ended with honours even.
“We’ve got to start to look at things a little bit differently I guess, and not so much look at strike rates and economies and things like that. It’s just about wickets and the score and if we can keep it as simple as that I think that’ll go a long way to wrapping our heads around the new Ashes,” Hazlewood said.
“There’s a lot more ones probably, but if we shut down the boundaries then the score doesn’t really go through the roof at sevens and eights. If we can keep them at five an over and keep taking wickets throughout the day, that somewhat keeps them in check.
“It’s just about getting our heads around it as a bowling group, that the fields are out from ball one almost.
“The wicket was, not a great deal in it, very very slow, not much sideways movement or swing or anything.”
FIVE KEY MOMENTS FROM DAY ONE
FREAK DISMISSAL
It was Lyon’s 489th Test wicket and few could have been more unusual. Harry Brook shouldered arms to the off-spinner, with the ball ricocheting off the England batter’s thigh pad, over his shoulder, deflecting off his leg and onto the stumps to end a quickfire 32.
HEAD CASE
Brook had raced to 24 when he looked to guide a wide one from Scott Boland towards the deep third man boundary. The shot was misplaced, but Brook got a life when Travis Head spilled the chance. Head missed a regulation ground ball to allow a boundary moment later, and eventually received ironic cheers when he fielded cleanly.
UMPIRE STRUGGLES
It wasn’t a great day for umpires Marais Erasmus or Ashan Raza. Between the two of them they had three decisions overturned on review. But the Aussies could kick themselves too, not even appealing after Zak Crawley edged one from Boland on 40.
STANDING HIS GROUND
A decade on from Broad’s infamous non-walk in the opening Test of the 2013 Ashes, Crawley got away with that first nick and almost survived another when Erasmus turned down a Boland appeal on the stroke of lunch. But this time the Aussies went upstairs, and it was soon clear that Crawley had gloved one to be gone for 61.
MITCH SWITCH
For about 20 minutes, the Edgbaston press box sprung to life before play when all-rounder Mitch Marsh marked his run-up alongside several of the other Australian bowlers. One of the more stunning Ashes selection calls briefly beckoned before it became clear that Marsh wasn’t playing, and that Hazlewood replacing Mitchell Starc would be Australia’s only change.
Day one as it happened: Relive all the key moments from a thrilling day at Birmingham
STUMPS: AUSSIES SURVIVE AFTER ROOT MASTERCLASS
That is stumps on day one - a big day on all fronts!
Usman Khawaja and David Warner will be pleased to have passed their first test, a searching 20-minute examination from Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson.
Australia are 0-14, with Khawaja unbeaten on four and Warner on eight, trailing England’s 8(dec)-393 by 379 runs. But the runs won’t worry them, there’s plenty of time left in this match. And the wicket looks perfect for batting.
As it did for Joe Root, with the former England captain ending an eight-year Ashes century drought to set up the home side’s impressive first-innings total.
And yet the declaration came as a surprise to some, with Root in complete control and the runs still flowing.
Join us again tomorrow for more Ashes madness.
3.15AM: AUSSIE OPENERS’ NERVOUS START
Ooooh boy, the Aussie openers look a touch nervy.
Twice in the opening over David Warner and Usman Khawaja got themselves in a tangle while trying to attempt a single to get Warner off the mark.
And he gets it on the final ball of Stuart Broad’s opening over, a nicely struck cover drive for four.
A nerve-settler for Warner, and perhaps the entire Australian dressing room.
3.01AM: ENGLAND DECLARE ON 8-393
The onslaught ends - Joe Root pumps Nathan Lyon over long on for six, and Ben Stokes promptly declares England’s innings on 8-393 with just under half an hour left in the day.
Root finishes on a mighty, unbeaten 118 following a superb knock.
Australia’s top order will face a tricky period in the shadows of stumps, with England’s quicks eager to get an early look at David Warner and Usman Khawaja - and potentially more.
With rain predicted over the weekend in Birmingham (when isn’t there rain predicted over the course of a Test match in England?), the home side are keen to move the game along quickly.
Bazball!
2.50AM: ‘ABSURD’ ROOT NOTCHES BRILLIANT TON
What a knock from Joe Root.
His 30th Test century, one of his most memorable – and just his fourth against Australia - was sealed with a legside push off Nathan Lyon.
It comes as England zeroes in on a first-innings total in excess of 400, and has the rowdy Edgbaston crowd on their feet.
It’s also involved some of the more ridiculous cricket strokes you’ll ever see.
Shortly after tea, Root pulled out a reverse ramp shot for six… off Scott Boland.
Not satisfied, he attempted the same party trick off elite speedster Pat Cummins. And again, the result was a six.
Champion South African quick Dale Steyn was one of many across the globe to be blown away by Root’s audacious strokeplay.
That’s absurd
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) June 16, 2023
But Root has combined that with the anchor role he’s so used to, forming the bedrock of England’s rapid first-innings total.
2.30AM: WICKET! BROAD GOES, ENGLAND PASS 350
This is high-octane cricket!
England pass 350 with simply relentless cricket and, in that vein, Stuart Broad departs after trying to slog Cameron Green out of the ground.
He doesn’t connect, and is clean bowled, but after adding 16 from 21, and steered Joe Root to within touching distance of another Test century, you’d say he’s done his job.
2.20AM: BOLAND’S BRUTAL BAZBALL INTRODUCTION
Scott Boland has had a nightmare introduction to Test cricket in England – and he’s learning the hard way that Bazball can be an unforgiving enemy.
Boland burst onto the Test scene and into the hearts of Australian fans not just because of his propensity for picking up wickets – lots of them - but because of his unrelenting frugalness.
He was Australia’s most economical bowler in last week’s World Test Championship final victory but he’s copped the most punishment from England’s batsmen on day one in Birmingham, going at 6.14 an over midway through the final session.
His figures of 1-86 are comfortably the most he’s ever conceded in Test cricket – in fact, last week against India, with match figures of 5-105, was the first time Boland has conceded triple figures for a Test, let alone an innings.
Since his Boxing Day debut in 2021 Boland has been such a reliable force for Pat Cummins to turn to, so Australia will be desperate to see the big Victorian turn find his explosive best. And soon.
2.05AM: WICKET! THE LYON AND CAREY SHOW RETURNS
Moeen Ali comes and goes for a swiftly compiled 18.
Moeen was here for a good time, not a long time, thumping two boundaries and a six in his 17-ball innings before becoming Nathan Lyon’s fourth victim today.
Like with Bairstow before him, Moeen charged down the wicket and was beaten in flight before presenting Alex Carey with another easy-as-you-like stumping.
“Nathan Lyon now has 491 Test wickets,” says Daniel Cherny.
“At this rate he’s a serious chance for 500 at Lord’s in what shapes as his 100th consecutive Test.”
1.45AM: WICKET! CAREY REDEEMED AS LYON ROARS
Out of nowhere, Australia have their breakthrough.
Just as it felt the day had slipped away from Australia – and with England on the verge of 300 – Lyon beats Jonny Bairstow in flight, with the keeper charging down the wicket as he eyed a comeback century.
Instead he was beaten all ends up, and Carey made up for his error off Hazlewood with a sharp piece of work behind the stumps to complete the stumping.
That’s an impressive knock from Bairstow, however. His 78, as part of a 121-run fifth-wicket stand, has shifted the momentum back in favour of the home side. A crucial 90 minutes coming up.
One could easily have become two, but for Pat Cummins dropping a sharp chance off his own bowling that would’ve sent Moeen Ali packing for just 1.
1.36AM: DROPPED! CAREY GRASSES CHANCE OFF BAIRSTOW
Hazlewood so nearly has the breakthrough again – bringing Bairstow into a booming drive, and getting the ball to move away just enough to take a thick edge.
It flies quickly to Alex Carey behind the stumps and the keeper dives to his right, but it is badly grassed.
It’s hit him on the thumb, and you want to be catching that if you’re Alex Carey.
“Just an error from the keeper,” says Ricky Ponting.
It’s a blow for Australia. This session is rapidly moving away from them – and you’ve got to take every chance on a wicket that appears as flat as this one.
1.30AM: DANGER SIGNS FOR AUSTRALIA, BAIRSTOW PASSES 50
There’s been a clear shift in tempo from this pair, who scored freely but patiently before the break. Since the tea break, both Bairstow and Root have put the foot down.
Bairstow, back in the Test team after suffering a freak broken leg while playing golf, in particular has upped the scoring as he takes the attack to Nathan Lyon.
The gritty keeper has raced past 50 as England hone in on 300.
It’s a dangerous period for Australia and their captain Pat Cummins – in this elongated final session, he cannot let England dictate the pace of the game. Because Australia’s hard work from the opening two sessions could quickly evaporate if Bairstow and Root are still standing at stumps.
1.00AM: FINAL SESSION UNDERWAY
The day’s play is very evenly poised and the upcoming session will decide the winner of the day.
England are racing towards a score of 350 and above for the day’s play, so Australia will definitely be hunting two or more wickets to keep pace with the host’s rampant runscoring.
12.40AM: ROOT, BAIRSTOW REACH TEA
That felt like Australia’s session - but England fought back very well after losing Stokes and Brook in quick time to recover.
The hosts are 5-240. On an ordinary day of a northern hemisphere Ashes, that would be a comfortable spot to be in. But not in the Bazball era, and not on a wicket that two hours ago looked as flat as you’ll find in international cricket.
A big session looms for both teams, but there’s no doubt this partnership is the key.
12.35AM: ROOT... SURVIVES AFTER REVIEW
Oh, how big this would’ve been for Nathan Lyon and Australia!
Joe Root is given out LBW, for 61, while trying to sweep the Australian spinner, but Root is quick to review - very quick, actually.
And it’s easy to understand why. One replay is enough to show that the ball caught the underside of his glove before thudding into the pads. Root survives, and immediately repeats his reverse sweep attempt - except this time it races to the boundary.
12.30AM: ROOT, BAIRSTOW SET IN
Australia had a flurry of excitement after - and before! - the lunch break, but through former captain Joe Root, England are wrestling back a bit of control in this match.
The methodical Root seems like the antithesis of Bazball, but he’s playing a crucial innings to drag England back into this contest. The double dismissals of Brook and Stokes had the potential to knock England’s first innings for six, but with Bairstow, Root has England creeping back towards a position of comfort.
12.15AM: WATCH: BROOK’S FREAK DISMISSAL
12.00AM: ROOT THE ROCK IN ENGLAND’S INNINGS
Joe Root reaches 50 for the 20th time in Test cricket against Australia.
He hasn’t converted any of his 12 most recent Ashes half-centuries into tons. - DANIEL CHERNY
11.55PM: HAZLEWOOD VINDICATES TOUGH CALL
It must be said, Josh Hazlewood has been brilliant today - and gone a long way towards justifying his selection ahead of Mitchell Starc already.
In the face of an aggressive England batting lineup, Hazlewood has consistently hit the right line, has the best economy rate of the first-string attack, and has the scalps of Ben Duckett and Ben Stokes.
On a wicket where no one seems to be able to draw much from, Hazlewood is the exception.
What a return to Test cricket this has been for Josh Hazlewood. The only fast bowler today who’s managed to get the ball to skid, bounce & rush the batters #Ashes
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) June 16, 2023
11.38PM: WICKET! CONFUSION REIGNS AS STOKES DEPARTS
A double blow for England!
Josh Hazlewood thinks he has Ben Stokes - and it’s immediately given out by Erasmus, before seemingly being retracted? Or at least that is what Stokes thinks.
“You’ve given him out!” the Aussies plead, and sure enough Stokes reviews.
But it is a wasted review. Hazlewood dangles a delivery outside off and Stokes can’t help himself, he flashes the blade and replays confirm a faint edge.
Live by the Bazball, die by the Bazball. England lose two wickets in nine balls to be 5-176.
“Australia has done a brilliant job here,” says Dan Cherny.
“Cummins’ men have played the percentages, keeping the boundaries down but still creating plenty of chances.”
11.30PM: BROOK FALLS TO FREAK DISMISSAL
Wow! What a bizarre way to get out. And it’s England’s danger man, Harry Brook, who departs for 32.
Nathan Lyon gets the wicket, but you won’t see many like that. Brook pads up to a regulation Lyon delivery, which launches straight up in the air off his thigh pad.
There are shouts of ‘catch-it’ directed at Alex Carey, but he has no idea where the ball has gone. And it comes back, almost landing on Brook, before spinning back into the stumps.
Desperately unlucky. A huge break for Australia, and they needed it.
England 4-175, but with the senior statesmen of Root and Ben Stokes at the crease.
11.10PM: DROPPED! HEAD SPILLS TOUGH CHANCE
How costly will that be?
Travis Head had Harry Brook’s innings in his grasp.... only for it to spill out onto the Edgbaston turf.
Brook skied a chance off a short, wide Scott Boland delivery and it hung in the air for long enough for Head to come in off the rope at third man.
With a big dive forward the Australian managed to get both hands underneath the ball, but the catch was jolted free as his elbows hit the ground.
Brook, on just 24, is perhaps England’s most aggressive and damaging batsman. He can make Australia pay for that mistake in quick time if he’s in a mood.
11PM: HAS BEN STOKES RUINED THE ASHES?
It’s early - very early, really - in the Test but already questions are being asked about the pitch that has been prepared at Edgbaston.
Pre-series, England captain Ben Stokes made no secret of his desire to have curators play ball and offer up wickets that would suit the home side’s run-and-gun aggressive batting style.
And he’d be thrilled with what is on offer in Birmingham: a flat deck, with little to no grass, and little variable bounce.
While adding the caveat that you’ve always got to see both teams bat on a wicket before you judge it, will fans be excited by a contest that more heavily favours the batsmen?
Former Australian Test paceman Trent Copeland is not a fan.
“Really hope this pitch isn’t a trend for the series,” Copeland wrote on Twitter.
“Well played England thus far, just genuinely just takes all the heat out of a contest.
“England will go big. Good luck getting Smith & Marnus etc out on it too. Will still be fascinating to watch.
“Just hope dour pitches don’t play a constant theme for both sides.”
Let me be clear. England will go big. Good luck getting Smith & Marnus etc out on it too. Will still be fascinating to watch.
— Trent Copeland (@copes9) June 16, 2023
Just hope dour pitches don’t play a constant theme for both sides (and the fans!) #Ashes
10.43PM: SECOND SESSION RESUMES
The players have had their lunch and we’re back out in the middle, with Harry Brook joining Joe Root.
If you don’t know about Brook, just think of him as the embodiment of Bazball. In just seven Tests he’s scored a mighty 818 runs - four centuries - at an average of 81.8 and a freakish strikerate of 99.03.
The 24-year-old has been hyped up as one of England’s next great batsmen, and boldly declared he was willing to attack Nathan Lyon. So that should be a fun battle....
10.30PM: ENGLAND LEGEND’S ‘TOTAL CHAOS’ ASHES TALE
Want to know what it’s like to play in an away Ashes series? Perhaps what the Australian group are currently experiencing?
Legendary former England bowler Darren Gough, 52, recalls: “As a player, you get it from the second you land on opposition soil.
“They’re in your face, calling you all sorts, saying you haven’t got a chance . . . but, weirdly, you love it.
“It’s all over the media, the front and back pages, the TV and the radio, it’s everywhere.
“It’s designed to intimidate the opposition but that’s what makes it such a great event.
“I remember the first time I stepped off the plane in Australia for a series in ’94.
“I was just a kid, I didn’t know what to expect.
“I’d sat squeezed on the plane between (Mike) Gatting and (Graham) Gooch and got off after 20 hours of flying to total chaos.
“But it gave me the chance to be a showman and a personality, as well as a sportsman.
“I guess what I really wanted was to be on Saturday night telly, so playing in The Ashes was the next best thing.
“It let you play a character.”
10PM: WICKET! BOLAND STRIKES ON STROKE OF LUNCH
A perfect finish to the morning session for Australia - with Scott Boland grabbing a wicket on the stroke of lunch.
Boland drops one short and manages to graze the thumb of Zak Crawley through to Alex Carey behind the stumps.
Marais Erasmus is not immediately convinced, but the decision is quickly overturned on review from Australia.
Crawley departs for 61 after a fine knock, and swings the first session back in Australia’s favour after a see-sawing couple of hours.
Earlier, Josh Hazlewood provided early vindication for Australia’s selectors while the Aussies had a mixed bag with DRS.
Having replaced Mitchell Starc from the XI that secured the World Test Championship crown at The Oval five days earlier, Hazlewood took the only wicket to fall in the first hour as opener Ben Duckett edged an attempted cut to Carey on 12.
Nathan Lyon added Australia’s second, when he trapped Ollie Pope lbw for 31, but not before England had made a sizable imprint on the scoreboard.
With Crawley’s dismissal, Joe Root will be joined by Harry Brook after lunch with England 3-124.
9.45PM: ENGLAND LAUNCH CUMMINS ATTACK
Former England one-day captain Eoin Morgan has joined Kevin Pietersen in blasting Pat Cummins over his tactical approach today.
“I’ve been shocked in many ways at how defensive they’ve been with the fields they’ve set,” Morgan explained.
”Australia have been the first to blink.”
9.30PM: WICKET! LYON DELIVERS AFTER CLUTCH REVIEW
Well there’s no debating that one - that is a crucial wicket for Australia, given them a second wicket in the opening session with half an hour still to play.
Nathan Lyon traps Ollie Pope in front and the Aussies were extremely confident, despite being denied by the on-field umpire.
Cummins sent it upstairs, and the Australians celebrate as it pitches in line, straightens and the three reds show up - sending Pope on his way.
That brings Joe Root to the crease, with England 2-92.
9.15PM: AUSSIES MISS FEATHER EDGE
It’s all going wrong for Australia right now. As Cummins’ tactics are dissected by Kevin Pietersen and Mark Taylor, it appears they’ve blown a golden chance to remove Zak Crawley.
Replays - and Ultra-Edge - indicate Crawley got a feather-touch through to Alex Carey off Scott Boland, but there was no appeal from the Australians.
Crawley wore a cheeky grin as he turned to face the Australian slips cordon, but appears as though it could be a very costly let-off. Crawley was on 40 at the time. And Australia, in desperate need of a wicket, are in the weeds a little bit.
“Fun playing against you Australians these days. Setting defensive fields. Not appealing for huge nicks. What’s going on Tubs?” Pietersen asks Taylor in commentary.
Zak Crawley nicks it but no review from Australia.#TheAshes#ENGvsAUSpic.twitter.com/ZeZ5x1C0Hs
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) June 16, 2023
9.10PM: ENGLAND GREAT SAVAGES AUSSIE TACTICS
England are up and about now - both in the middle, and in the commentary box.
As Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope continue to peel off boundaries, England great Kevin Pietersen has gone on the attack behind the microphone.
Pietersen has questioned the defensive tactics employed by Pat Cummins, in the wake of the early onslaught from England and their Bazball approach.
Pivoting quickly to ‘Plan B’ - by deploying Nathan Lyon early, having Alex Carey come up to the stumps to Scott Boland, and a variety of defensive fields - left Pietersen bemused.
“I would have thought Pat Cummins, first session of an Ashes series, would have thought ‘Ok give it a go. I don’t mind. Hit us for six fours. A couple of sixes no problem. Then will go to Plan B’,” Pietersen said in commentary.
“I think they went straight to Plan B.
“Where do they go now? What’s plan C? What’s plan D?” he asked.
9PM: ENGLAND FIRE THEIR WAY TO DRINKS
The first hour is in the books and it’s been EVENTFUL!
England requested flat decks to showcase the best of Bazball and the Edgbaston curators have delivered.
There’s precious little for the bowlers to enjoy in this one. And the runs are coming thick and fast with Crawley (35) and Ollie Pope (19) cashing in as England reach 1-66 in the opening hour.
But there was a glimmer of hope late on for Lyon. An edge, even! Perhaps there is some life - some gope - in this wicket?
Lyon drew a false shot from Crawley, who inside-edged onto his pads. It narrowly misses the stumps and was no real chance for Alex Carey behind the stumps.
It does appear that England are going to make Lyon pay for whatever wickets he takes this series with bucketloads of runs.
They’re going to go after Australia’s spin king in a big way.
8.50PM: AUSSIES CHIRP AS LYON ENTERS THE FRAY
Nathan Lyon has also been given a crack with a new-ish ball, going for seven runs in his first over as Zac Crawley took the first round in their battle.
Meanwhile, Australian chatterbox Marnus Labuschagne chimes in with a sledge (of sorts!). Or perhaps it’s just inane banter designed to get the batsman thinking about anything other than scoring runs.
Lyon to Pope, as Labuschagne squawks from under the helmet at short leg: "Just like Adelaide, mate!" (where Pope was caught by Labuschagne off Lyon in the first innings for 5).
— Lawrence Booth (@BoothCricket) June 16, 2023
Either way, it doesn’t work.
England, now, have brought up their 50 for the loss of one wicket in the 11th over.
“Slow going for them...” muses Nasser Hussain in commentary.
8.40PM: DID AUSTRALIA MAKE RIGHT CALL WITH STARC?
We are eight overs down, and so far this series is already delivering on the rollercoaster expectations.
England are rolling along at better than four runs per over, but that cavalier attitude may have cost them the early wicket of Ben Duckett.
Now Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley are settling the England innings a touch after a madcap start.
Australia’s decision to opt for Josh Hazlewood ahead of Mitchell Starc paid immediate dividends, with the lanky quick striking early to remove Duckett.
That was his first overseas Test wicket since The Oval, 2019.
But questions remain about the balance of Australia’s attack. Is a trio of Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Scott Boland a bit too ‘same-same’?
Will Australia, and Nathan Lyon in particular, miss the footmarks that pop up outside the off-stump of England’s right handers - caused by Starc’s giant spikes in his follow through?
We’ll find out over the next five days.
But for now, we have Scott Boland entering the attack.
8.17PM: WICKET! HAZLEWOOD STRIKES
It’s been a busy start - the runs are flowing, and now Josh Hazlewood has the early breakthrough in his second over.
Hazlewood nibbles away at a dangerous line and he temps Ben Duckett into a loose shot, with a thick edge through to Alex Carey, who takes a nice low catch.
Duckett departs after going at better than a run-a-ball, with 12 off 10. Two boundaries. Then out.
It’s gonna be that sort of series, isn’t it? Pure chaos. Embrace it.
England are 1-22.
8.00PM: BAZBALL OPENS ASHES WITH A BOUNDARY
The Ashes have officially begun, with captain Pat Cummins taking the new ball, with Zak Crawley facing the first ball.
And the Ashes start with a bruising four through the covers.
What. A. Shot.
It didn’t take long for Australia to get their first look at Bazball.
Sharing the new ball with Cummins is Josh Hazlewood.
How big of a risk is this, playing Hazlewood? It feels sizable.
He hasn’t played since picking up a side injury while playing in the Indian Premier League.
Hazlewood, too, was thumped to the boundary with his opening delivery this Ashes series.
“From what we’ve seen so far, this looks to be a particularly good batting surface. There’s no movement in the air or off the seam,” warns Test great Ricky Ponting on Channel 9.
7.50PM: PREDICTIONS, PREDICTIONS
It’s almost game on at Edgbaston. But who do we think deserves favouritism to claim the Ashes?
Dpes anyone have any idea?
Seriously, anyone who tries to tell you they know what is about to come over the next six weeks is a fibber.
The only person on the planet tipping with any confidence is Glenn McGrath, and that’s because he’s basically got “Australia 5-0” inked on his chest.
The only certainty is that it’s going to be a wild ride. And it all begins in 10 minutes.
7.40PM: BRING ON BAZBALL
It was going to be captivating either way but what a brilliant early look at England’s unstoppable Bazball top order against Australia’s immovable object attack.
A fitting way to start what shapes as a seismic series in terms of cricket philosophies.
Starc is stiff but his record in England was a concern and the advantage his footmarks provide Nathan Lyon is overstated. - DANIEL CHERNY
7.30PM: AUSSIES TO BOWL FIRST, CHANGES CONFIRMED
Here comes Bazball!
England have won the toss and will bat first at Edgbaston - giving Australia’s bowlers their first look at the all-out batting blitz that has changed the way England plays cricket.
Meanwhile, the pre-game shenanigans have proven just that - there is no Mitchell Marsh in the Australian team, but there is a Scott Boland. And a Josh Hazlewood. But no Mitchell Starc.
“It looks a really good cricket wicket. Now we’ve got to go and put some runs on the board,” says England captain Ben Stokes.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins confirms he would’ve also had a bat first on a wicket that
“It’s a good problem to have, having someone like Josh Hazlewood come in,” says Cummins.
AUSTRALIAN TEAM: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland
7.15PM: BOLAND.... IN!
The word from our man on the ground, Dan Cherny, is that Scott Boland is a certainty to play, while Mitchell Starc is looking as though he has missed out.
Josh Hazlewood is warming up and looks like he will make his comeback from injury on cricket’s biggest stage.
Mitch Marsh? A massive red-herring, perhaps!
6.45PM: AUSTRALIA’S ASHES BOMBSHELL - OR MIND GAMES?
Are Australia pondering the first staggering selection call of the Ashes?
Or is it just more mind games ahead of cricket’s most anticipated series.
All-rounder Mitchell Marsh was spotted marking out his runup at the iconic ground for the first Test, suggesting the 32-Test veteran would feature in Andrew McDonald’s first-choice XI for the all-important series.
That came after it appeared Scott Boland had won his battle to join captain Pat Cummins in the Australian attack - perhaps suggesting two of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green look like missing the opening Test,.
However, then Hazlewood also later marked out his runup. And left everyone a little more in the dark about the team Cummins will lead out in Birmingham.
But in all likelihood it means Boland, the man who destroyed England at the MCG, will feature at Edgbaston to partner Cummins.
The final make-up of the Australian final team will be confirmed soon at the toss.
AUSSIES TO WEAR BLACK ARMBANDS FOR MURDER VICTIMS
Players from England and Australia will wear black armbands and observe a minute’s silence on day one of the first Ashes Test to honour the victims of a knife and vehicle rampage in the central English city of Nottingham this week.
Three people were stabbed to death, including teenage students Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar, both of whom were keen cricketers.
“The deeply distressing scenes witnessed in Nottingham this week have brought immense sorrow to everyone, particularly the cherished friends and families of the victims,” Ben Stokes said.
“It is impossible to express how much their lives and futures have been tragically disrupted.
“These events sadden the England cricket teams, and we are thinking about those affected at this harrowing time. As a gesture of respect, we will honour them by wearing black armbands.”
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