Ashes 2023: Zak Crawley departs dramatically following brisk half-century on Day 1 at Edgbaston

Ben Stokes' belligerent English red-ball side made a terrific start in the Ashes opener at Edgbaston. While the hosts continued with their gung-ho approach in the morning session, the irresistible Scott Boland got rid of an in-from Zak Crawley in dramatic fashion on the stroke of Lunch.

England's towering opener Zak Crawley banished the ghosts of the previous Ashes after creaming Aussie skipper Pat Cummins for a boundary off the very first delivery of the iconic series. The 25-year-old opener from Kent looked in supreme touch, tackling the Aussie pacers with utter disdain on a relatively flat surface in Birmingham.

However, he had to make his way back to the pavilion after a brisk half-century, in dramatic fashion. Crawley, who was completely undone by a peach of a delivery from Scott Boland, nicked the ball through to the keeper. Somehow, on-field umpire Marais Erasmus failed to hear the seemingly loud noise as Cummins reviewed the decision straightaway.

The replays showed a clear spike when the ball past the bat, kissing the gloves on the way to the wicketkeeper. The umpires called for Lunch after that wicket as Australia ended the session on level terms, scalping three English wickets. 

Crawley makes merry after his second life

Incidentally, this was the second time Crawley had nicked the ball through to the keeper as the English opener had edged a delivery from the same bowler earlier in the innings. However, none of the Aussie players, including the wicketkeeper and bowler, heard the noise, affording a life to the Englishman.