Twitter Reactions: Australia breach fortress Edgbaston as Nathan Lyon rips England apart

England’s attempt to draw the first Test against Australia went in vain as Nathan Lyon was on fire on the last day. There were several talks about Australia taking a little too long to declare on the fourth day. However, that decision didn’t impact the result of the game much as they brought out a clinical and memorable performance. Along with the off-spinner, Pat Cummins also bowled quite well to provide his team with a 1-0 lead in the series.

With an overnight score of 13/0, England continued to bat on the fifth day. A win was out of the equation as they had to chase down a mammoth total. Thus, only two results were possible and the Brits, at the most, could draw the game. However, that didn’t turn out into a reality courtesy of some excellent bowling from Nathan Lyon.

Nathan Lyon picks up a six-wicket haul

The ball was turning a lot on the last day and the 31-year-old off-spinner made the most of it. However, it was Cummins who provided the team with the first breakthrough. He got the better of Rory Burns with an excellent delivery when the left-hander was batting on 11. Then, Lyon dismissed both Jason Roy and Joe Root for 28 runs each which pushed England onto the back foot.

After that, wickets kept tumbling one after the other. At lunch, the hosts were at 85/4 and it needed an unbelievable effort to bail them out. However, Cummins did really well to get both Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow in quick successions. Ben Stokes also couldn’t do much and fell into the trap of Nathan Lyon. Even though Chris Woakes tried to help England get closer to the target towards the end, he didn’t have much support from the other end.

Ultimately, England was bowled out for 146 and they lost the match by 251 runs. The fans hailed Australia after this fabulous victory. When the team was at 122/8 at one stage in the first innings of the game, not many backed them. But, Steve Smith scored centuries in both the innings and Matthew Wade also did really well.

Here is how Twitterati reacted to Australia’s victory:

Congratulations to Australia!
What a win!
A fantastic game of cricket and a wonderful advertisement for Test Cricket. This is going to be a cracking series!#ashes2019

— Jason Gillespie ???????? (@dizzy259) August 5, 2019

Well played Australia. Credit where credit is due they played brilliantly to get themselves out of very difficult positions twice & then go on to win. @stevesmith49 was simply incredible. Congratulations on coming back to Test cricket in such a way. On to Lords! #TheAshes

— Matt Prior (@MattPrior13) August 5, 2019

Perfect start by the Aussies. Fought back hard after a poor start. Great signs for the rest of the series. Smith 10/10, Lyon impressive and some valuable contributions by everyone else. #Ashes Bring on Lords!!

— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) August 5, 2019

Aussies too good this Test .. They look very very well coached & prepared for these conditions .. Unless England find lateral movement this could be a long 6 weeks .. #OnOn #Ashes

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 5, 2019

Waiting for Joel Wilson to announce retirement. #Ashes

— Manya (@CSKian716) August 5, 2019

England had Australia 122-8 on day one and ended up losing by 251 runs.
That’s a catastrophic defeat in anyone’s book.

— John Etheridge (@JohnSunCricket) August 5, 2019

Steve Smith, the fulcrum around whom this match turned. From 122/8 to victory by 251 runs. #Ashes

— AlisonMitchell (@AlisonMitchell) August 5, 2019

Superbly played @CricketAus
Well deserved win
????????????????????????#TheAshes2019 #ENGvsAUS

— atul kasbekar (@atulkasbekar) August 5, 2019

From 122/8 on Day, and a 90 run first innings deficit, to victory by 251 runs.

— cricketingview (@cricketingview) August 5, 2019

Where do England need to improve in Test cricket?

— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) August 5, 2019

Fortress Edgbaston has been breached by the Aussies. Oh boy, what a game.#Ashes

— Rajal Arora (@RajalArora) August 5, 2019

Australia win by 251 runs, having been 122 for 8 on the first day.

— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) August 5, 2019

It is amazing how Australia have always been able to force England back to the drawing board.
Burns Sibley Root Roy Buttler Stokes Bairstow Woakes Archer Broad Leach
for me next time

— Huw Turbervill (@huwzat) August 5, 2019

Fortress breached #Ashes

— AlisonMitchell (@AlisonMitchell) August 5, 2019

What a comeback from #Australia From 122 for 8 in 1st inns to a 251-run win.

-1st win at Edgbaston since 2001, snap 15-match winless streak.

-1st time since 1981, Aus have won an #Ashes test in #England after conceding a 1st inns lead.#ENGvAUS #Ashes19 #ashes2019

— Manoj Dimri (@manoj_dimri) August 5, 2019

Nathan Lyon, you absolute beauty. Steve Smith the game changer. From losing the WC semis here to winning the 1st Test against England , go on Aussies #Ashes

— Rajal Arora (@RajalArora) August 5, 2019

Australia is the only team to win their first:

Test match (v ENG, 1877)
ODI (v ENG, 1971)
World Cup match (v PAK, 1975)
Day/Night ODI (v WI, 1979)
T20 International (v NZ, 2005)
Day/Night Test (v NZ, 2015)
ICC World Test Championship (v ENG, 2019)#ENGvAUS #ENGvsAUS #Ashes

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) August 5, 2019

Tim Paine all set to break record books as captain.

The accidental captain who broke England. #Ashes

— Nikhil ???? (@CricCrazyNIKS) August 5, 2019

Whitewash hopes still alive!

— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_M_FOX) August 5, 2019

That’s twenty-four points to Australia, if anyone cares. #WTC #Ashes

— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) August 5, 2019

“Same old Aussies, always winning,” chant the Hollies stand. Fair play. #ENGvAUS

— Isabelle Westbury (@izzywestbury) August 5, 2019

World Cup champs brought thudding down to earth in the 5-format. England hampered by injury to Anderson no doubt, but would have been defeated in any case methinks. Aussies just too good, and Smith supreme #Ashes

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) August 5, 2019

Fortress #Edgbaston has been breached …. fantastic spell of spin bowling by Mr LYON????!! Well done Australia ???????? for winning the 1st test #ENGvsAUS #Ashes19

— Mithun Manhas ???????? (@MithunManhas) August 5, 2019