NEW DELHI: Joe Root showed a tremendous amount of resilience as England fought back against Australia on the opening day of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston in Brimingham on Friday. England reached 240-5 at tea, with Root unbeaten on 66 and Jonny Bairstow on 33.
Harry Brook, in his first Ashes innings, played an impressive knock of 32 before getting out in unlucky fashion. However, Australia regained momentum with two quick wickets. England captain Ben Stokes was caught behind off Josh Hazlewood for just one, leaving the hosts at 176-5.
Hazlewood, who returned to the team in place of Mitchell Starc, displayed a strong performance with figures of 2-44 in 11 overs by the tea break.
England's recent success in Test cricket, winning 11 out of their last 13 matches, has been built on an aggressive approach known as 'Bazball,' paying tribute to coach Brendon McCullum's nickname. England started the match on a positive note, scoring 22 runs off 21 balls.
The intent to score quickly was evident from the beginning, as Zak Crawley elegantly drove Australia captain Pat Cummins through the covers for a boundary.
Crawley also managed to hit a boundary off Hazlewood's first ball, guiding the ball through square leg, which elicited a loud cheer from the crowd of 25,000 spectators.
Australia, however, hit back when Ben Duckett (12) was caught flat-footed and cut Hazlewood low to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
Nathan Lyon then had Ollie Pope lbw for 31 on review as the off-spinner moved to within 12 wickets of 500 in Tests.
Crawley continued to attack and completed a sparkling 56-ball fifty including six fours.
But off what became the last ball of the session, Scott Boland produced a superb delivery that leapt off a length and brushed opener Crawley's glove on its way to Carey, leaving England 124-3 at lunch.
Brook came in with a staggering Test average of over 81, after hitting four hundreds in his seven previous matches at this level.
The 24-year-old, undaunted by Friday's occasion, advanced down the pitch and launched Boland for four over extra-cover.
Brook was dropped on 24 by a diving Travis Head at third man following an extravagant uppercut off Boland.
But he was eventually out for 32 in bizarre fashion when he shouldered arms to Lyon, with the ball looping off the thigh pad and spinning into the stumps after Brook had lost sight of the delivery.
Stokes only lasted eight balls, edging a drive off a Hazlewood delivery angled across him.
Former skipper Root, however, responded with a 70-ball fifty.
Australia thought they had his prized wicket when he was given out lbw to Lyon.
Root's immediate review confirmed he had gloved the ball, however, and off the very next delivery he reverse-swept Lyon for four to the raucous delight of the crowd.
England are bidding for a first Ashes series win since 2015, with Australia aiming for a first Ashes campaign victory in England in 22 years.
(With AFP inputs)
