England continued their ‘Bazball’ approach on Day 1 of the ongoing Ashes 2023 first Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham. The hosts completely dominated the proceedings and decided to come up with a surprise declaration when the team’s score reached 393 after 78 overs.
Former skipper Joe Root smashed his 30th Test century to propel England to a decent position. The 30-year-old right-handed batter achieved the feat during England’s first innings. Root made 118 from 152 deliveries before Ben Stokes declared the innings.
Apart from Root, opener Zak Crawley began the Ashes 2023 in grand fashion with a scintillating boundary on the very first ball. Crawley smashed 61 off 73 balls to take England to a flying start. Wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow was the other standout performer as he took the Aussies to the cleaners. Bairstow smacked 78 runs from 78 balls, with the help of 12 boundaries.
Nathan Lyon was the star performer with the ball for the Aussies, picking up four wickets for 149 runs in 29 overs. Josh Hazelwood also bagged a couple for 61 runs in 15 overs. Australia, meanwhile ended Day 1 with out any loss at 14 with David Warner (8 no) and Usman Khawaja (4 no) at the crease.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
🍏 Eat.
🛌 Sleep.
🔥 Ramp.
🔁 Repeat.Your 30th Test century, what a knock @Root66 🎉 #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/8rrGu3m9FR
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 16, 2023
Joe Root – The GOAT of England. pic.twitter.com/jHcbboWCMf
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 16, 2023
End of a Brilliant Knock of 78 on just 78 balls. Well played ,Jonny Bairstow 💯👏. #Ashes23 #Ashes2023 #ENGvsAUS pic.twitter.com/QkSjMNV02r
— Shaharyar Ejaz 🏏 (@SharyOfficial) June 16, 2023
Joe Root – Mr. Exceptional…!!
30th Test century, what a batter. pic.twitter.com/nBafKORvXQ
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 16, 2023
This is Joe Root's world and we are just living in it 😎
What a player he is 😍#YorkshireFamily pic.twitter.com/HJK4FMhUzf
— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) June 16, 2023
30th Test hundred, the craft man for England, it's none other than Joe Root 👌. pic.twitter.com/BEjqSdikc7
— Bhawana (@bhawnakohli5) June 16, 2023
30th Test hundred, the craft man for England, it's none other than Joe Root 👌. pic.twitter.com/BEjqSdikc7
— Bhawana (@bhawnakohli5) June 16, 2023
Joe Root Phenomenal 👏 #TheAshes pic.twitter.com/gW3HdhzyAj
— EFC – Naffer (@EFCBlueForever) June 16, 2023
Peculiar dismissal of Harry Brook in the Ashes! 🙄pic.twitter.com/N8nxy0SRwk
— Vicky Singh (@VickyxCricket) June 16, 2023
Carnage in the Hollies for a Root 💯#Ashes pic.twitter.com/XK3QcmQvUo
— England's Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) June 16, 2023