Nathan Lyon spins Australia to victory in first Ashes Test

Steve Smith swoops to his left to take a low catch offered by Stuart Broad off the bowling of Nathan Lyon at Edgbaston. Picture: Getty Images

Australia have won the first Test of the Ashes series, Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins ripping through the fragile English batsmen on the final day at Edgbaston.

The team heads to the second game at Lord’s with a one-nil lead and the wind in their sails.

The 251-run victory was constructed on the pillars of Steve Smith’s twin centuries in Australia’s two innings and comes despite the side being in a world of trouble at 8-122 after choosing to bat on the first day.

Smith was named man of the match for his 286-run contribution in what was his first Test back after a 12-month ban for his role in the South African scandal.

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Only the fourth Australian to achieve the feat of scoring two centuries in an Ashes Test, Smith’s batting average of 62.96 is the second highest in the history of the game behind Don Bradman (99.94).

Smith and Matthew Wade, who had returned to the side for the first time since February 2017, gave the side a lead of 397 when the declaration came late on the third day.

Many argued Tim Paine had left the declaration too late on day four, but England’s shaky top order had neither the game nor the temperament to keep out the Australian attack on the last day.

Cummins took 4-32, removing opener Rory Burns early in the morning with a ball that reared into the batsman’s gloves and ballooned into the hands of Lyon.

His third scalp of the day, Jonny Bairstow, was the 100th of his career in just his 21st Test. Cummins has the best strike rate for any bowler with that many wickets and he is the fourth fastest Australian to the mark.

Lyon, however, was the hero on the final day. The 31-year-old took 6-49 and in the process became just the fourth Australian to pass the 350 mark. He is closing in on Dennis Lillee’s 355 mark and will soon only have only Glenn McGrath (563) and Shane Warne (708) in front of him.

England have woes aplenty. Their top order is made up of batsmen with little experience at this level and many who lack technique. Their bowling stocks are thin. Jofra Archer was not considered fit enough for this Test but has played in the domestic T20 competition during it.

Jimmy Anderson can’t be considered for the next match at Lord’s after pulling up with a calf injury just four overs into this one. The 37-year-old had missed last week’s Test against Ireland but announced himself fit for this one.

Australia have bowlers to spare. Selectors made the bold move to leave both Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood out of this game when they would have once been considered guaranteed places in the side. They now have the luxury of resting the injury prone James Pattinson should they see fit or leaving out Peter Siddle if they think others are better suited to the conditions.