The Ashes 2019: Nathan Lyon Subdues England with a Six Wicket Haul

Australia draw first blood in The Ashes 2019 as they crush England in the first test at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Nathan Lyon took full advantage of the fifth day pitch as he claimed six scalps on the final day.

Starting the day with a target of 398, England might have come out with a draw in their minds rather than chase an improbable 398 on a turning track against the likes of Lyon. After all, England have never batted out the final day under the current coach Trevor Bayliss.

Before the start of the day everything about Nathan Lyon. How much turn will he get? Will he just run through the England batting lineup. In the end, it happened. But only after a good start by the fast bowlers. The pacers were never out of the game. Pat Cummins picked opened up the England batting lineup when he dismissed Rory Burns off a short pitch ball.

By lunch, England had lost four wickets, and very soon into the second session, they found themselves at 97 for 7. By this time, the ball was turning and bouncing as it would on any typical sub-continent pitch, and Lyon was enjoying himself. He dismissed Moeen Ali and Stuart Broad off consecutive deliveries to become the fourth Australian to pick up 350 Test wickets.

Most wickets for Australia in Tests-

1. Shane Warne (708)
2. Glen McGrath (563)
3. Denis Lille (353)
4. Nathan Lyon (350)

He also became the first Australian spinner after Shane Warne in 2005 to pick up a five wicket haul in a Test match in England.

Australia, have come back strongly to win the Test match, after being 122 for 8 in the first innings. In fact, this is the biggest margin of victory in terms of runs, after a team conceded a lead of more than 90 runs in the first innings. There have been only three instances in Ashes Tests in the last 100 years, where a side being eight down for 122 or fewer in the 1st innings have ended up winning the Test.

The victory is truly a resounding one for Australia and it has set up The Ashes 2019 nicely.