Australiaย claimed a remarkable two-wicket win over England in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston as the home team's aggressive "Bazball" style unravelled.
With four more Tests to come in England, we've named the first team for our Rolling XI of the 2023 Ashes Series, where we'll make changes to the lineup as the series rolls on.
Below is our combined best XI from the first Test at Edgbaston ahead of the second Test.
1. Usman Khawaja
206 Runs (141, 65)
Khawaja was the standout performer from the first Test. A patient knock of 141 from 321 was crucial to a not-so-well-performing Australian top order. While appearing slow off the mark, Khawaja remained determined to achieve his first century in a touring Ashes Series. Another impressive display with a score of 65 was vital to the Australian run chase.
2. Zak Crawley
69 runs (61, 7)
Crawley threatened the Australian attack early enforcing the "Bazball" strategy with a boundary from the first delivery. He impressed many in his first innings with a score of 61 which helped England declare just shy of 400 in the first Innings. Despite being dismissed early in the second innings, his early threat with the bat was enough to earn him a spot.
3. Joe Root
164 runs (118, 46)
Root led from the front for England with a score of 118 to begin his Ashes campaign. He was the largest threat to the Australian attack with an impressive strike rate of 77.63. The 32-year-old again showed why he's still among the best batsmen in the world with a score of 46 in his second Innings. Although falling short, England may have been left with little hope come Day 5 without his standout performances.
4. Harry Brook
78 runs (32, 46)
Nobody adopted the Brendon McCullum style of play in the opening Test more than Harry Brook. With plenty to say before the Test, there were many speculations as to whether Brook could walk the walk. Despite falling short of a half-century in both innings, Brook was able to deliver 78 runs at a strike rate of 86+. One would hope someone as confident as Brook would hope to bat for longer at Lord's, but his consistency was enough to select him over a mostly disappointing Australian top order.
5. Travis Head
66 runs (50, 16)
A fast attacking 50 to begin his Ashes campaign was enough to earn Travis Head a spot in the middle order. Following the vital wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, Head delivered under immense pressure to change the flow of the Australian innings. Despite falling short during the run chase, a crucial half-century was enough to steer the Australians in the right direction.
6. Cameron Green
66 runs (38, 28)
1 Wicket (1/32, 0/12)
Cameron Green delivered for Australia exactly how they had hoped an all rounder would. Green assisted Khawaja perfectly in the first innings with a score of 38 and a partnership of 72. Another score of 28 was enough on Day 5 to help his team get over the line. Assisting with the ball as well, Green claimed the late scalp of Stuart Broad to put an end to a well-performing English tail.
7. Alex Carey (WK)
86 runs (66, 20)
9 dismissals
Carey was the obvious selection at the wicket-keeper spot with another impressive display, continuing his spectacular form. He was instrumental in the first innings, helping dismiss four of the top seven batsmen. With the bat he again shined, knocking his way to an 188-run partnership with Usman Khawaja. An all-round performance with and glove and bat was the start Carey was hoping for in his maiden touring Ashes.
8. Pat Cummins (captain)
82 runs (38, 44)
4 wickets (0/59, 4/63)
Leading from the front, Cummins showed why he is still among the greatest in the world. After a slow start with the ball he was able to patiently notch his away to a solid 38 to keep the Australians in the match. With the ball in hand, Cummins was top-class, collecting four wickets and sending English threats such as Pope and Stokes back to the sheds. His most notable highlight was his lion-hearted effort to steer the Australians to victory. A courageous 44 was the answer to the Australian prayers and was enough to win the match on the final session of Day 5.
9. Stuart Broad
26 runs (16,10)
6 wickets (3/68, 3/64)
Broad and his fellow seamers received little assistance from the pitch at Edgbaston, but he bowled superbly for the most part and showed his importance to the team.
The right-armer took three wickets in Australia's first innings to ensure England held the lead and finished with 3-64 in the second as he tried all he could to get the hosts over the line. Despite the loss, similar performances from Broad will be sure to leave frustration amongst the Australian batsman.
10. Ollie Robinson
44 runs (17,27)
5 wickets (3/55, 2/43)
Many speculated whether Robinson could "walk the walk" after some controversial press in days prior. Robinson bowled economically on a difficult surface, going for under 2.5 runs per over in both of Australia's innings.
The right-arm seamer took three wickets in the first innings, including being the player who dislodged Australia centurion Usman Khawaja, and finished with 2-43 from the second.
Robinson was also surprising with bat in hand, assisting the English side with 44 runs.
11. Nathan Lyon
17 runs (1, 16)
8 wickets (4/149, 4/80)
Four years after taking a match-winning six-wicket haul in Birmingham, Nathan Lyon has once again starred for Australia in the Ashes opener โ but on this occasion with bat and ball.
After leaking over five runs per over in the first innings, the veteran off-spinner bounced back last Monday, accounting for four crucial wickets and muzzling England's destructive middle order.
With the bat in hand, Lyon was the captain's partner in crime, scoring a crucial 16 runs on the final day. His late-game heroics were enough to steal the win late at Edgbaston.
