Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc was left catching his breath after an intense, high-tempo opening day of Ashes cricket that saw England's revolutionary 'Bazball' approach put to the ultimate test at Edgbaston.
Breathless Cricket From The First Ball
The opening day of the highly anticipated Ashes series delivered exactly what was promised - fast-forward cricket that left players and spectators alike struggling to keep pace. Australian quick Mitchell Starc, who claimed the prized wicket of Ben Duckett, described the experience as physically demanding from the very first over.
England's aggressive batting approach saw them race to 124-3 at lunch, with Joe Root continuing his rich vein of form to finish the day unbeaten on 118. The home team's commitment to their attacking philosophy was evident when they declared at 393-8 late in the day, a move that surprised many traditionalists but perfectly encapsulated their new mindset under coach Brendon McCullum.
Australian Bowlers Tested To Their Limits
Starc, who ended with figures of 2-71 from 14 overs, acknowledged the unique challenges posed by England's relentless approach. The left-arm quick emphasized how the English batters refused to let the Australian bowlers settle into any rhythm, constantly looking to score and disrupt their lines and lengths.
"It was pretty full-on from the first over," Starc admitted after the day's play. The paceman noted that the condensed nature of the five-Test series meant recovery between matches would be crucial, with just a three-day turnaround scheduled between the first and second Tests.
Captain Pat Cummins led the Australian attack with 1-60, while Nathan Lyon worked through 29 overs to claim 4-149. Josh Hazlewood, playing his first Test since January, returned figures of 1-61 as the bowling group shared the workload on a demanding day.
Declaration Gambit Sets Up Intriguing Day Two
England's surprise declaration at 393-8 with Root well-set on 118 created immediate drama and set up a fascinating second day. The move demonstrated England's commitment to creating results in what promises to be a tightly contested series.
Starc revealed that the Australian team had anticipated England might employ such tactics, though the timing still came as something of a shock. The declaration meant Australia faced one over before stumps, successfully navigating it without loss to finish at 14-0, with David Warner and Usman Khawaja at the crease.
As both teams prepare for day two, the stage is set for what could be a series-defining match. Australia's response with the bat will be crucial, while England will be hoping their bold declaration pays dividends and puts immediate pressure on the visiting batters.
