NEW DELHI: In a thrilling Ashes opener at Edgbaston, Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins led his team to a remarkable victory, describing it as the pinnacle of his Test career.
Cummins played a pivotal role, remaining unbeaten on 44 as he orchestrated a commanding chase of 281, partnering with Nathan Lyon for an unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 55 on the final day.
When questioned about this win, Cummins, who recently guided Australia to triumph in the World Test Championship final against India, responded emphatically, stating, "Number one. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Start of an Ashes series. Number one."
Both Cummins and Lyon were involved in another unforgettable Ashes encounter during the drawn 2019 series when England captain Ben Stokes's heroic unbeaten century led his side to a dramatic one-wicket victory at Headingley.
Reflecting on that match, Cummins admitted, "Yeah, I would be lying if I said it didn't (cross my mind). We were on the other side of one in the last series here. When you're on the other side, it feels like one that's got away and it really hurts."
Expressing his satisfaction, Cummins added, "It's a really happy dressing room in there. A lot of those guys were there at Headingley, and to clinch one that was perhaps out of our grasp for a little while there is pretty satisfying."
1/10:Cummins the hero as Australia edge England in Ashes thriller
Reuters
2/10:Dramatic win for Australia
<p>Australia captain Pat Cummins led his side to a dramatic two-wicket win over England in the first Test at Edgbaston on Tuesday.<br /></p>Getty Images
3/10:England on top when Khawaja falls
<p>The Ashes holders were 209/7, still 72 runs shy of a victory target of 281, when fast bowler Cummins came in to bat after first-innings century-maker Usman Khawaja fell for a painstaking 65.</p>Getty Images
4/10:54 more with just 2 wickets in hand
<p>And after Alex Carey was out to leave Australia 227/8, the tourists still required another 54 more runs with Nathan Lyon the new batsman.<br /></p>Getty Images
5/10:Match-winning stand
<p>But Cummins-Lyon's unbroken stand of 55 saw Australia home in a match to rival the tension of England's two-run win in a celebrated 2005 Ashes clash at Edgbaston.<br /></p>Getty Images
6/10:Cummins hits the winning runs
<p>Cummins, who finished on 44 not out, hit the winning boundary when he edged Ollie Robinson to third man where a diving Harry Brook knocked the ball over the rope.<br /></p>Getty Images
7/10:Lyon plays his part
<p>Lyon, whose missed run out contributed to England's stunning one-wicket win at Headingley in the drawn 2019 Ashes series in England, was 16 not out.<br /></p>Reuters
8/10:Australia take 1-0 lead
<p>Victory left World Test champions Australia 1-0 up in the five-match series as they bid for a first Ashes campaign win in England in 22 years.<br /></p>Getty Images
9/10:Captain Stokes' third defeat
<p>This was just England's third defeat in 14 Tests under captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.<br /></p>AP
10/10:Costly drop catch
<p>England were left to rue a series of missed chances throughout the match, none more so than when Lyon was dropped on just two by Stokes at square leg.<br /></p>Getty ImagesWhile England adopted an aggressive approach by declaring on the first day, Australia adhered to a more traditional red-ball strategy, even on the rain-affected final day. Usman Khawaja's patient knocks of 141 and 65 exemplified Australia's method, unaffected by the chants of "boring, boring Aussies" from sections of the Edgbaston crowd.
Reflecting on the atmosphere, Cummins remarked, "The fans were pretty noisy out on the hill. Win or lose, we are pretty comfortable with how we go about it."
Cummins, aiming to become the first Australian captain since Steve Waugh in 2001 to win an Ashes series in England, emphasised Australia's consistent performance over the past two years, stating, "We've been really good for the last 20 Test matches over two years... We are at our best when we play at our own pace and tempo."
The victory in the opening match of this five-match series marked a memorable week for Cummins, who tragically lost his mother, Maria, earlier this year. Celebrating on the balcony, he was joined by his father, Peter, making the moment all the more special. Recounting the week's events, Cummins shared, "Dad was here in 2019 with Mum, so having him here was really special. I went with him to see Bruce Springsteen (at Villa Park) on the first night as well. So, it's been a good week."
With such a remarkable start, Cummins and his Australian team have set the stage for a gripping Ashes series, leaving cricket enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the next encounters.
(With inputs from AFP)
