England vs Australia LIVE: Cricket scorecard and Ashes updates after enthralling first day at Edgbaston

England and Australia begin their fight for the Ashes today as the men’s series gets underway at Edgbaston.

Australia utterly dominated their visitors when the two sides last met Down Under, when Mitchell Starc memorably bowled Rory Burns with the very first ball at the Gabba to set the tone for a 4-0 thrashing. But 18 months is a long time in Test cricket and the landscape has changed dramatically. England have adopted a revolutionary attacking style with both bat and ball under new captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum which has brought 11 victories in their past 13 matches, and they are bullish about their chances of winning the Ashes for the first time since 2015.

Stokes has turned to the familiar figures of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali – coaxed out of Test retirement – in England’s bid to get off to a winning start. But they face a formidable Australian side with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne leading the batting charge backed up by an experienced and varied bowling attack.

Follow the score and latest updates from Edgbaston below.

England vs Australia: First Ashes Test, day one

• England and Australia renew old rivalry with enthralling first day of first Ashes Test at Edgbaston

• STUMPS! Australia 14-0 in response to England’s 393-8 - Australia trail by 379 runs

• END OF INNINGS! England declare on 393-8

• TON UP! Joe Root 100no (145b 7x4 2x6), England 368-8 (76) - Root’s first Ashes century since 2015

• OUT! Stuart Broad b Green 16 (21b 2x4 0x6), England 350-8 (70.4)

• OUT! Moeen Ali st †Carey b Lyon 18 (17b 2x4 1x6), England 323-7 (65.5)

• OUT! Jonny Bairstow st †Carey b Lyon 78 (78b 12x4 0x6), England 297-6 (61.4)

• OUT! Ben Stokes c †Carey b Hazlewood 1 (8b 0x4 0x6), England 176-5 (38.4)

• OUT! Harry Brook b Lyon 32 (37b 4x4 0x6), England 175-4 (37.2) - Brook clean bowled in comical fashion

• OUT! Zak Crawley c †Carey b Boland 61 (73b 7x4 0x6), England 124-3 (26.4)

• OUT! Ollie Pope lbw b Lyon 31 (44b 2x4 0x6), England 92-2 (18)

• OUT! Ben Duckett c †Carey b Hazlewood 12 (10b 2x4 0x6), England 22-1 (3.4)

Sonia Twigg at Edgbaston

18:37 , Sonia Twigg

Wow. No one, including the Australian team, saw that declaration coming, and it set up for a thrilling final 20 minutes to an entertaining day of Test cricket.

The Ashes is under way, the Hollies Stand was in full voice, and Joe Root scored a century as the sun shone at Birmingham, it was an ideal way to kick off the series.

England could have been more careful when it came to avoiding giving wickets away, but Root thrilled with flair, reverse-scooping Scott Boland for six, and ramping the Australian captain for a maximum all in the final session of the day.

Harry Brook’s bizarre ‘bowled’ dismissal via thigh pad and bat just added almost a note of humour into the day, which thrilled throughout.

There was something for everyone and the game is in the balance.

STUMPS! Australia 14-0 (4); England 393-8 - Australia trail by 379 runs

18:37 , Luke Baker

Wow! What a day of Test cricket. Simply enthralling from start to finish. From Zak Crawley’s cover drive for four to open the day to Usman Khawaja’s block to finish it via Joe Root’s century and Harry Brook’s comical dismissal.

The context of the match is that England declared on 393-8 to have a bowl at Australia this evening but the tourists saw things out safely at 14-0 to trail by 379 runs.

They’ll bat on day two, hoping to make similarly good use of the friendly batting conditions after England thrived on day one at Edgbaston.

STUMPS! Australia 14-0 (4); David Warner 8, Usman Khawaja 4; Ollie Robinson 0-5 (2)

18:32 , Luke Baker

Robinson continues for now. Khawaja watchful and forced to play at most balls - he stops Robinson during his run-up of the fourth delivery to slow things down and make sure this is the final over of the day.

The English seamer chucks in a late wide anyway, so that’s stumps. What an exhilarating opening day of Ashes action!

Australia 13-0 (3); David Warner 8, Usman Khawaja 4; Stuart Broad 0-9 (2)

18:27 , Luke Baker

Gorgeous cover drive from Warner races away for four - there aren’t many better sights in all of sport than a well-timed cover drive. That’s a hill I’m happy to die on.

Tidy over otherwise from Broad. Does Moeen Ali get an over before close?

Australia 9-0 (2); David Warner 4, Usman Khawaja 4; Ollie Robinson 0-4 (1)

18:22 , Luke Baker

Running in from the other end is Ollie Robinson. Very rare that Jimmy Anderson doesn’t open the bowling... Especially in England.

A lovely delivery shaping away from Khawaja cuts him in half and goes through to Bairstow but the opener fashions a couple of twos from the over. A worry for Robinson as he trips on his follow-through towards the end of the over but no damage done.

Australia 5-0 (1); David Warner 4, Usman Khawaja 0; Stuart Broad 0-5 (1)

18:17 , Luke Baker

So, England get a few overs at Australia this evening before close. Can they get a breakthrough?

Stuart Broad, who has plenty of history with David Warner, gets first crack at the Aussie opener. There’s nerves for the Australian pair with some questionable running between the wickets but the final ball of the over is nicely driven for four through the off-side.

END OF INNINGS: England 393/8 declared

18:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England will lose about ten minutes in the changeover, which means there will probably be about four overs before the close.

Joe Root strides off with a wave of the bat to his adoring public - he ends unbeaten on 118 after a quite magnificent innings.

England 393/8 (78), Ollie Robinson 17, Joe Root 118, Nathan Lyon 4-149 (29)

18:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England turn on the style: Joe Root slog sweeps to cow corner for a mighty six, and then reverse sweeps for a single; Ollie Robinson copies the shot to take four; and then Root pumps Lyon over long-on for six more.

And that would be why - Ben Stokes had obviously got the message out that a declaration was imminent and calls his batters in. ENGLAND DECLARE! They’ll have a crack at Australia’s top order tonight.

England 373/8 (77), Ollie Robinson 12, Joe Root 103, Josh Hazlewood 2-60 (15)

17:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The new ball has rather snuck up on us, but we are only three overs away now, with Josh Hazlewood back to tune up before he might have access to a fresh Dukes. Joe Root is now just three hundreds short of Alastair Cook’s England Test record - 30 moves him level with Matthew Hayden and Shiv Chanderpaul, and beyond Don Bradman. Serious company and still with plenty, plenty more to come.

A hint of reverse swing for Hazlewood, but both batters comfortable enough in taking five singles from his over.

100 for Joe Root! England 368/8 (76), Ollie Robinson 10, Joe Root 100, Nathan Lyon 4-129 (28)

17:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There it is! Utterly superb from Joe Root, hardly a chance given as he cruises to his first 100 against Australia since 2015 (145 balls, seven fours, two sixes). A couple of jaunty reverse scoops and reverse sweeps, but otherwise it has been conventional Test batting of the very highest quality. 30 Test hundreds.

England 366/8 (75.2), Ollie Robinson 9, Joe Root 99, Nathan Lyon 4-127 (27.2)

17:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A couple from a cut and then a clip for a single...he’s one shy.

England 363/8 (75), Ollie Robinson 9, Joe Root 96, Cameron Green 1-32 (6)

17:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum and Zak Crawley gather for a chinwag, the England skipper back in his happy place under a bucket hat.

Root is rather crawling through the nineties, somewhat starved of the strike by the organised Robinson. That’s a lovely shot, though, from the seamer, playing the latest of late cuts past gully for four.

Root on strike to start Nathan Lyon’s next set, four away from a 30th Test ton.

England 356/8 (74), Ollie Robinson 4, Joe Root 95, Nathan Lyon 4-124 (27)

17:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ollie Robinson makes himself comfy against Nathan Lyon, looking largely at ease as he and Joe Root share three singles in the over, Robinson plodding up the other end as he pilfers the strike.

England 353/8 (73), Ollie Robinson 2, Joe Root 94, Cameron Green 1-25 (5)

17:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It does perhaps feel silly to criticise England given some of their first innings batting woes over the last decade or so, but this little CricViz nugget does rather show how serene this surface and these conditions are.

England 351/8 (72), Ollie Robinson 1, Joe Root 93, Nathan Lyon 4-121 (26)

17:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Robinson looks around slightly nervously as he misses an attempted reverse sweep, but there’s only pad involved as Steve Smith plucks it at first slip. Maiden number two of the day for Australia.

England 351/8 (71), Ollie Robinson 1, Joe Root 93, Cameron Green 1-23 (4)

17:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

How has that missed? Nearly two in the over for Cameron Green as an Australian bowler at last draws a false shot from Joe Root, trying to flick to leg as Green gets one to hold its line and whisper in the ear of off stump. Root smiles wryly, well beaten.

Ollie Robinson is the new man at the crease - he’s a much, much better batter than he’s shown so far in Test cricket, as those who have watched him in a Sussex shirt will attest, and there remain runs to be had out there.

OUT! Stuart Broad b Green 16 (21b 2x4 0x6) SR: 76.19, England 350-8 (70.4)

17:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Cleaned up! Cameron Green rocks back Stuart Broad’s off peg as the England tailender throws the kitchen sink at it and England are eight down!

You always feel it is coming when Broad is at the crease, ever there for a good time, not a long time. All of that time spent on the Scottish links in the week before this Test and still Broad lifts his head too soon, turning back to find the bails spatchcocked and off-peg wobbling on its hinges.

England 347-7 (70), Stuart Broad 14, Joe Root 92, Nathan Lyon 4-121 (25)

17:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A few more of those from Stuart Broad will help - a floaty Nathan Lyon off-break swung lustily over cow corner for four.

Cameron Green will bowl at the other. Just the fourth over of a quiet day for Australia’s all-rounder.

England 342-7 (69.1), Stuart Broad 10, Joe Root 91, Nathan Lyon 4-116 (24.1)

17:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Right, an hour or so to go, and a crucial period in the match. If Joe Root and England’s tail can grow this total to somewhere in excess of 400, you sense they’ll be happy, putting time into the game with their scoring rate and plenty of runs on the board. But I reckon anywhere short of that will be below par with how little the pitch has misbehaved. They’ve made this mistake against Australia before - I recall Perth in 2017/18, when they really should have ended up with more than 403 in their first innings and ended up losing by an innings.

England 341-7 (69), Stuart Broad 9, Joe Root 91, Pat Cummins 0-59 (14)

17:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A single apiece to the two batters, and on come the branded bottles. Time for drinks.

England 339-7 (68), Stuart Broad 8, Joe Root 90, Nathan Lyon 4-115 (24)

17:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The first squawk from Stuart Broad, sweeping Nathan Lyon nicely into a gap on the legside to collect four.

That’s less pretty! A bit of a hack across the line and lucky to escape with two as leg stump is left trembling after nearly being given a fright off the inside edge.

Six! England 331-7 (67), Stuart Broad 1, Joe Root 89, Pat Cummins 0-56 (13)

17:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It is tough to be too critical of England’s approach given all they have achieved over this last year but it does feel like they’ve misjudged this today. Australia have given them plenty of scoring options with their passive fields and the runs have come easily on a flat track. There was, surely, an opportunity to grind down the Australians and get up towards an imposing first innings score - you fancy that Australia might not have 320 on the board at this stage had they been granted a chance to have first use of the track, but I’m almost certain they wouldn’t be anywhere near seven down.

Risque business! Having said all of that, it’s clear England aren’t going to rein in their more extravagant urges, Joe Root employing another of those reverse scoops and timing it ideally to bother the lubricated spectators in the fourth row beyond third man. He’s eleven short of a well measured ton.

England 323-7 (66), Stuart Broad 0, Joe Root 82, Nathan Lyon 4-107 (23)

17:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And Stuart Broad nearly comes a-cropper first ball! Lyon skids one through but Broad just about manages to jam his bat down in time to ensure it is edge, rather than pad, first.

OUT! Moeen Ali st †Carey b Lyon 18 (17b 2x4 1x6) SR: 105.88, England 323-7 (65.5)

17:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But that’s the other side of Moeen with the bat - a foolish jaunt up the track, a hapless swipe, and he’s kippered himself before he’s even really got going!

Oh, Mo. England’s six, seven and eight have all now gotten themselves out, rather. It’s a pretty wild heave at a ball that is never there to be hit, and Alex Carey need not hurry with Moeen already halfway back to the sheds before the bails are eventually swiped from their grooves.

Four for Nathan Lyon as the NightHawk is swoops down from his nest with a job to do.

England 323-6 (66.4), Moeen Ali 18, Joe Root 81, Nathan Lyon 3-107 (22.4)

17:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

One of the quirks of the BazBall era is that England have fielded some diplodocus tails, with Stuart Broad surely a couple of places too high as a regular number eight, but it hasn’t really mattered given their top seven’s consistency. Moeen Ali’s inclusion in place of Jack Leach, whose injury really is so cruelly timed for a player unfortunately accustomed to ill luck, fundamentally changes the function of the spinner in this England side but I don’t think Ben Stokes will be too unhappy to have Moeen lurking and ready to counter-punch if required.

England 320-6 (64), Moeen Ali 17, Joe Root 80, Pat Cummins 0-49 (12)

17:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s vintage Moeen - a sniff of width and Pat Cummins is dispatched to the cover boundary with impeccable timing. His selection is a real gamble given the role he will need to fulfil with the ball, but his runs at number eight could prove vital if England are to win this series.

Even better - a maximum! Just a half-hearted help of a short ball towards the square leg boundary, but it’s timed perfectly again and the leaping fielder hasn’t a hope.

England 310-6 (63), Moeen Ali 7, Joe Root 80, Nathan Lyon 3-104 (22)

16:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Eek! Joe Root has liked the reverse sweep today but that ball is slightly too short to play it, a flick of the thigh pad getting Alex Carey excited but ultimately bringing four leg byes.

Welcome back, Mo. A glorious, familiar unfurling of those almost effortlessly smooth limbs to deposit Nathan Lyon over mid-on for a one-bounce four.

England 300-6 (63), Moeen Ali 2, Joe Root 79, Pat Cummins 0-39 (11)

16:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Edgbaston applauds as Joe Root runs one down to third man to bring up the England 300, which has come at a rapid rate but still feels a little way short of a suitable first innings score.

Dropped! England 298-6 (62.2), Moeen Ali 1, Joe Root 78, Pat Cummins 0-37 (10.2)

16:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Put down in his follow through! The lack of pace in the pitch nearly does for Moeen Ali, through his drive too soon as he tries to push Pat Cummins down the ground. It’s just about within reach for the Australia skipper, but he can’t quite lunge towards it in time and gets only a fingertip to it.

England 298-6 (62), Moeen Ali 1, Joe Root 78, Nathan Lyon 3-98 (21)

16:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Moeen Ali gets off the mark from his first ball, pushing a single into the offside for his first run in Test cricket in nearly two years. England might need him to get a few here - he does strengthen the tail significantly and the hosts cannot really afforded to be skittled south of 350 on what still looks a good batting track.

Pat Cummins brings himself back on. The Australia captain has been below his best today but might just test Moeen’s ticker and technique with a couple of shorter ones. A slip and a gully lurking for the more conventional method of attack.

OUT! Jonny Bairstow st †Carey b Lyon 78 (78b 12x4 0x6) SR: 100

16:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Gonzo! Just as Jonny Bairstow looked certain for a ton, he’s beaten in the flight and Alex Carey tidily takes the bails off!

Premeditated by Bairstow, hoping to keep pressing the accelerator and really make Nathan Lyon hurt. But Lyon is too canny for that - you don’t take nearly 500 Test wickets without having a bit about you - dragging his length back and ensuring Bairstow gets nowhere near the pitch.

The turn takes the ball between bat and pad and Carey watches it safely into the webbing, feeling a lot better about himself with his drop in the last over ultimately not too costly. Bairstow salutes the crowd as he exits with a word or two of advice for the returning Moeen Ali.

England 297-5 (61.3), Jonny Bairstow 78, Joe Root 78, Nathan Lyon 2-97 (20.3)

16:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Thwack! An ugly drag-down from Nathan Lyon and Jonny Bairstow is in a remorseless mood, pulling to square leg.

England 292-5 (61), Jonny Bairstow 74, Joe Root 77, Josh Hazlewood 2-56 (14)

16:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Bairstow then swats Hazlewood through square leg for four more. Ten from the over, including those two via Carey’s outstretched glove.

Dropped! England 288-5 (60.2), Jonny Bairstow 70, Joe Root 77, Josh Hazlewood 2-52 (13.2)

16:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Put down by Alex Carey! A genuine edge as Bairstow flashes outside off stump, and Carey leaps to his right, but it bursts away from his right thumb as Hazlewood grunts in frustration.

It would have been a sitter for first slip, but Australia’s sole cordon catcher is slightly wider. Bairstow survives!

England 282-5 (60), Jonny Bairstow 64, Joe Root 77, Nathan Lyon 2-92 (20)

16:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Alex Carey releases an excited yelp as Joe Root’s inside edge is beaten by one that grips, but it’s doing too much.

Pat Cummins requests another check of the ball, prodding at a couple of bulges to try and convince the umpire it needs changing. It slips through the umpire’s rings - Cummins’s request is denied.

Jonny Bairstow gives it some more rough treatment, merrily skipping down to the pitch of the ball and flicking aerially to the midwicket fence, beating the sweeper’s dive. That’s the 100 partnership, the eleventh these two have shared in Test cricket. Strong Yorkshire, strong England.

England 274-5 (59), Jonny Bairstow 58, Joe Root 75, Josh Hazlewood 2-46 (13)

16:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Josh Hazlewood really has been Australia’s standout bowler today, the only one able to offer consistent, genuine control. Even he has gone at more than three-and-a-half an over, and it doesn’t feel like England have had to force it - I expect Pat Cummins will get a fair bit of flak for some of these fields from the Australian public who have powered through the night.

England 273-5 (58), Jonny Bairstow 58, Joe Root 74, Nathan Lyon 2-84 (19)

16:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Bairstow celebrates the landmark with a couple of boundaries, the first swept crisply between the two fielders in the deep, the second lofted delightfully over mid-off. He’s moving up through the gears.

50 for Jonny Bairstow! England 265-5 (57.1), Jonny Bairstow 50, Joe Root 74, Nathan Lyon 2-76 (18.1)

16:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

50 up for Jonny Bairstow with a legside nurdle that’s fine enough for him to hurry back for two. 58 balls, six fours - back amongst things after that long injury lay-off and back scoring runs.

England 263-5 (57), Jonny Bairstow 48, Joe Root 74, Josh Hazlewood 2-45 (12)

16:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Beaten! A beauty from Josh Hazlewood, appreciable movement away from Joe Root’s upright bat as the England batter moves out of his crease. Half an inch away from the edge.

Probing stuff from Hazlewood on his return.

England 262-5 (56), Jonny Bairstow 47, Joe Root 74, Nathan Lyon 2-74 (18)

16:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The parnership is up to 85 as Jonny Bairstow closes in on his half-century. Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon have a chat before the spinner’s next over, but the song remains the same, Lyon around the wicket and trying to draw an error from both batters on a leg-stump line.

Surely it’s worth a go from over the wicket? One from the over with Joe Root content to stand pat.

England 258-5 (54.1), Jonny Bairstow 43, Joe Root 74, Scott Boland 1-83 (13.1)

16:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

These two are starting to purr. Too full from Scott Boland, and Jonny Bairstow capitalises with a textbook drive between extra cover and mid-off.

England 254-5 (54), Jonny Bairstow 39, Joe Root 74, Nathan Lyon 2-73 (17)

16:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Nathan Lyon will also resume post-interval, but has to wait for Marnus Labuschagne to nip off and retrieve his helmet, which he’d left behind. Back under the lid goes the some-time Glamorgan man, crouching in at backward short leg as the sole close-in fielder, with Steve Smith at that catching short third man position he briefly occupied earlier.

Root, as he has done against Lyon all afternoon, rocks back to open up the offside and rotate the strike. Jonny Bairstow works to long-on.

Six! England 252-5 (53), Jonny Bairstow 38, Joe Root 73, Scott Boland 1-79 (13)

16:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Reverse swept for six! It’s become a favoured shot of Joe Root’s, shaping to reverse scoop and adjusting superbly as Scott Boland pushes it slightly wider to lift quite marvellously over the third man boundary. Audacious!

England 244-5 (52.1), Jonny Bairstow 37, Joe Root 66, Scott Boland 1-71 (12.1)

16:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Scott Boland to start off after the tea break...and nearly a wicket first ball! An adventurous Bairstow takes a step or two down the track and inside edges streakily past his leg pole!

Evening session - England 240-5 (52), Jonny Bairstow 33, Joe Root 66, Nathan Lyon 2-71 (16)

16:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia are beginning to make their way back out there, ready for this evening session, which will almost certainly be two and a half hours long. The over rate hasn’t been great, as seems to now be habitual - we’ve had 16 overs of spin and still Australia are eight overs short of where they ideally should be.

Not that it is particularly inhibiting England moving the game on. Joe Root sprints past his partner as Jonny Bairstow makes a more leisurely return to the middle.

Sonia Twigg at Edgbaston

15:45 , Sonia Twigg

At the tea break, the game was in the balance after a ‘rebuilding’ unbeaten partnership of 64 from Root and Bairstow to see England through to 240 for five.

The loss of Crawley on the stroke of lunch, was followed by one of the most bizarre dismissals seen for a while.

Brook out in an absolutely odd fashion. The ball from Lyon bounced into the thigh pad, off his back and onto his stumps, to cries of "catch it", to leave England 175 for four.

The Yorkshire batter had looked comfortable and confident alongside Root, and Australia will count themselves lucky to see him depart for 32 from 37 after he was dropped in the deep by Head when on 24.

The England captain, who has so often dragged his side back from the brink, was almost out first ball. It could be a sign of his lack of cricket in recent months, but his reverse-sweep was an ill-timed effort, and he departed for just one run, attempting a booming drive outside the off stump.

Root and Bairstow played some beautiful drives, and reverse sweeps while they steadied the ship for England, as Root has done so many times in the past.

Root played a fluent and well-watched 66, while Bairstow also joined in with some punches and a drive over mid off from Lyon for his 33.

Tea: England 240-5 (52), Jonny Bairstow 33, Joe Root 66

15:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Honours even in that session, Australia remaining right in it with those back-to-back blows just before drinks before England rallied again. Harry Brook was unfortunate; Ben Stokes unwise, but both Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow have been largely untroubled and can set their sights on ensuring it is England’s day in the evening session.

England 240-5 (52), Jonny Bairstow 33, Joe Root 66, Nathan Lyon 2-71 (16)

15:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There may be time for another over if Nathan Lyon completes this set in haste, and he’s given a helping hand as Root kindly pats a shorter ball back to him off the back foot.

Jonny Bairstow slows things down, checking his guard to take a few more seconds out as the clock ticks to 20 to four. Tea.

England 238-5 (51), Jonny Bairstow 32, Joe Root 65, Scott Boland 1-67 (12)

15:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Just out of reach! Even Cameron Green’s go-go-gadget arms can’t quite reel in a thick outside edge from Bairstow as he tries to cut Scott Boland. Bairstow mimes that he’s unhappy he didn’t go harder at it. Obviously.

Not out! England 230-5 (50), Jonny Bairstow 24, Joe Root 65, Nathan Lyon 2-69 (15)

15:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Root knew - he’s clearly got a sliver of glove on that as he reverse sweeps and it takes only a cursory glance at UltraEdge to confirm as much.

And he’s right back to work - same stroke, better executed, for the second boundary of the over.

England 226-5 (49.3), Jonny Bairstow 24, Joe Root 61, Nathan Lyon 2-65 (14.3)

15:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“Howzat,” cry the Australian gaggle surrounding Joe Root, slightly optimistically with Nathan Lyon’s delivery pretty clearly pitching outside leg stump.

That’s closer though - up goes the finger but Root reviews immediately...

England 222-5 (49), Jonny Bairstow 24, Joe Root 57, Scott Boland 1-59 (11)

15:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Scott Boland, who has been a little expensive today, is back with tea fifteen minutes away. Pat Cummins would love to have one of these two back in the hutch to make those biscuits taste a little sweeter.

Root collects four with a tickle off his pads, and pinches the strike by dropping a length ball into the off-side.

England 217-5 (48), Jonny Bairstow 24, Joe Root 52, Nathan Lyon 2-61 (14)

15:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Marnus Labuschagne shakes his left leg as Jonny Bairstow sweeps firmly into the leaping short leg fielder’s shin pad.

Handsome! A little bit of flight from Lyon and Bairstow latches on to it, lunging into a long stride to ensure he gets to the pitch of the ball and then lifting over the top of wide mid-off.

England 212-5 (47), Jonny Bairstow 19, Joe Root 51, Pat Cummins 0-37 (10)

15:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Three singles from Cummins’s latest burst. Green’s lack of control means he’s done for now - Nathan Lyon back and again around the wicket to Jonny Bairstow.

England 209-5 (46), Jonny Bairstow 18, Joe Root 50, Cameron Green 0-19 (3)

15:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Cameron Green over-steps for a second time in the last two overs, forcing himself into a short ball as he tries desperately to hurl the ball into this slow surface with enough velocity to get Jonny Bairstow on the hop. Bairstow sways out the way.

That’s better, Green snaking a length ball beyond a Bairstow prod played with concrete feet.

A sharp riposte! Short, wide, carved, and into the advertising boundary triangles at a gallop through backward point. An England fan with a trumpet toots some Chuck Berry in approval.

England 202-5 (45), Jonny Bairstow 12, Joe Root 50, Pat Cummins 0-35 (9)

15:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s five successive Test scores of 50 or more for Joe Root.

He’s angered in Pat Cummins’s next over as a member of the Edgbaston staff wanders behind the bowler’s arm.

Out? No! Too high, reckons Pat Cummins as the umpire’s finger remains unmoved, the Australia captain electing not to review having been mighty, mighty keen when launching into the appeal.

Good call - half-a-foot over the top

England 201-5 (44), Jonny Bairstow 11, Joe Root 50, Cameron Green 0-12 (2)

15:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jonny Bairstow fancies this, ever the fighter and almost snarling at Cameron Green as the bowler graciously offershim a long half-volley through which Bairstow can throw those muscular forearms.

50 for Joe Root! England 195-5 (43.2), Jonny Bairstow 6, Joe Root 50, Cameron Green 0-6 (1.2)

15:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Joe Root moves to a half-century, chopping over the cordon to third man as Cameron Green finds some lift outside off stump and then driving to deep point to bring up a typically smooth 50 off 74 balls. England may well need him to go on.

England 190-5 (43), Jonny Bairstow 6, Joe Root 45, Pat Cummins 0-34 (8)

14:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Pat Cummins brings himself back on, and there’s movement to excite him, the ball jagging extravagantly away from Baristow’s bat as the batter withdraws it having thought better of chasing it. It does feel like England have rather squandered a position of real strength but there’s just enough there.

England 188-5 (42), Jonny Bairstow 5, Joe Root 44, Cameron Green 0-1 (1)

14:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

If this is your first sighting of Cameron Green, enjoy - he’s a pretty remarkable talent, averaging 48 in first class cricket with the bat and bowling at nearly 90mph from six-foot-six-and-a-half. He’s a one-man missile defence system in the gully, too - an obnoxiously talented cricketer.

He finds some shape away from Joe Root with his fourth ball, with the England batter driving straight to extra cover. A wobble seamer next up shows Green’s skill and control - just a single from his first over.

Here’s that Harry Brook dismissal:

England 187-5 (41.1), Jonny Bairstow 4, Joe Root 44, Cameron Green 0-0 (0.1)

14:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And here is the massive Cameron Green, ready to get those long legs pumping.

A bumper first up! No time to ease into it for Green, immediately testing Jonny Bairstow’s reflexes. The England keeper ducks beneath it unperturbed.

England 187-5 (41), Jonny Bairstow 4, Joe Root 44, Josh Hazlewood 2-44 (11)

14:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Joe Root is, of course, rather used to being an oasis of calm in an England batting collapse, and pleasantly clips Josh Hazlewood to the midwicket boundary as the Australian bowler hunts his pads. Cameron Green is loosening his arms in the gully, perhaps readying himself for a first trundle of the day.

England 180-5 (40), Jonny Bairstow 3, Joe Root 38, Nathan Lyon 2-55 (13)

14:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Nathan Lyon hurries through his over, Australia all abuzz after those two quick wickets. These two were the stars of England’s summer last year but they’ll have to strike the right balance here.

Not out! England 177-5 (39), Jonny Bairstow 1, Joe Root 37, Josh Hazlewood 2-37 (10)

14:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Over the top! A sigh of relief for Jonny Bairstow as ball tracking shows Hazlewood’s nip-backer skimming a few centimetres over the top of leg peg. England really would have been in the mire but their fire-starter will have to play fire-fighter here.

Lawrence Ostlere at Edgbaston: “It has all gone a bit flat here at Edgbaston. Brook had just settled when he had that slice of bad luck which saw him bowled in bizarre circumstances. Stokes’ exit was a little careless, however, and England have their backs against the wall in this first innings now. The players are taking drinks and plenty of fans are streaming out to recharge too on what is a baking afternoon in Birmingham.”

England 176-5 (38.5), Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root 37, Josh Hazlewood 2-36 (9.5)

14:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

I get that Ben Stokes wants to set the tone for his side’s aggressive style, but he has too often erred towards the reckless over the last six months or so. He got himself out in quite silly ways in both Pakistan and New Zealand during the winter and he’s missed out on an opportunity to score big on a really flat deck today. He’s doing his own ability with the bat a disservice with this approach.

Hang on! Jonny Bairstow struck on the pad first ball and Pat Cummins makes the signal to employ third umpire Chris Gaffaney...

OUT! Ben Stokes c †Carey b Hazlewood 1 (8b 0x4 0x6) SR: 12.5, England 176-5 (38.4)

14:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A spike on UltraEdge - England are in real bother! A step down the track, a loose drive, a thin nick - Ben Stokes is gone for one, beaten on the angle as Hazlewood pushes a fuller ball across him.

Australia are delighted. Jonny Bairstow to the crease with rebuilding to do.

Out? Ben Stokes is given caught behind but wants to review...

14:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A chancy drive, a thin nick, and Alex Carey takes comfortably as Marais Erasmus raises the finger. A long chat between Stokes and Root before he reviews.

England 176-4 (38), Ben Stokes 1, Joe Root 37, Nathan Lyon 2-52 (12)

14:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The Edgbaston crowd lifts to greet the arrival of their captain, Ben Stokes heartily welcomed.

Careful, Ben! A bold reverse sweep and the England skipper very nearly drags on to his poles.

OUT! Harry Brook b Lyon 32 (37b 4x4 0x6) SR: 86.48, England 175-4 (37.2)

14:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Extraordinary bad luck and Harry Brook is gone!

Can you believe that? Brook had gone back to work a shorter ball from Nathan Lyon into the legside before eventually deciding to leave it alone, the delivery ballooning up into the air from his thigh pad. It seems to take an age to come down and Brook totally loses his bearings, letting it land in the footmarks by the crease. Into the stumps it spins, dislodging the bails as the Australian players whoop, half in disbelief, half in delight.

Brook practically has to drag himself off - an unfortunate end to a promising innings and the visitors are right back amongst things.

England 174-3 (37), Harry Brook 32, Joe Root 36, Josh Hazlewood 1-36 (8)

14:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England Women are going well, by the way - Heather Knight’s side are flying in a warm-up fixture against Australia A, with Tammy Beaumont eyeing up a double ton on 182 and Nat Sciver-Brunt effortlessly beyond 50 after earlier runs for the skipper. A reminder that their series against Australia begins at Trent Bridge next week - that five-day Test should be a real, real contest, with Australia shorn of regular captain Meg Lanning.

Meanwhile, at Edgbaston, a maiden - that’s the first of the day for Pat Cummins’s attack.

England 174-3 (36), Harry Brook 32, Joe Root 36, Nathan Lyon 1-50 (11)

14:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Up comes the 50 partnership off 54 balls - easy scoring for two of Yorkshire’s finest, who are both so good at creating opportunities to accumulate.

England 170-3 (35), Harry Brook 29, Joe Root 35, Josh Hazlewood 1-36 (8)

14:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Delicious! Too full from Hazlewood, and Root is through it efficiently, driving straight of mid-off for four.

Another error in the deep from Travis Head! The Edgbaston crowd let him know it, too, Head’s moustache twitching in frustration as he hurls the ball back after collecting from the boundary cushion.

England 161-3 (34.1), Harry Brook 25, Joe Root 29, Josh Hazlewood 1-27 (7.1)

14:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That costly Boland over prompts Pat Cummins into a change, with Josh Hazlewood back at the top of his mark having been about the pick of the Australian attack so far.

Hazlewood right on the money first ball.

England 161-3 (34), Harry Brook 25, Joe Root 29, Nathan Lyon 1-46 (10)

14:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That Head drop was rather reminiscent of Marcus Harris’s spill as Ben Stokes compiled that magnificent hundred at Headingley in 2019 - obviously it won’t prove quite as pivotal, but if Brook strums his way to a ton from here you can bet Head will feel sore.

England 159-3 (33), Harry Brook 25, Joe Root 29, Scott Boland 1-54 (10)

14:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Gorgeous! Harry Brook is beginning to motor, guiding Scott Boland for four through third man and then producing another of those pretty lofted cover drives after a sashay down.

Dropped! Travis Head on the lunge at deep backward point! A Boland short ball draws an error from the England batter as he tries to really put the pedal down, skewing aerially. Head makes good ground coming in but it bobbles out as his elbows hit the deck.

Edged short! It’s all happening now, Boland biting at Joe Root’s outside edge but delicate hands ensuring it falls a couple of yards shy of Cameron Green at second slip.

England 148-3 (32), Harry Brook 13, Joe Root 26, Nathan Lyon 1-45 (9)

14:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Nathan Lyon hasn’t yet bowled a ball over the wicket, persisting with this angle to try and draw another LBW. There’s just enough turn to make the tactic worthwhile but both Brook and Root look content against it, the latter reverse sweeping with fine timing to take two to close the over.

England 144-3 (31), Harry Brook 13, Joe Root 26, Scott Boland 1-43 (9)

14:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Brook’s dancing feet are in use again as Scott Boland plugs away on that fourth stump line, the bowler wisely dragging his length back to bother the top of Brook’s blade.

That’s a good response, the Yorkshireman’s drive sweetly timed and forcing the boundary fielder to hustle to keep it to two.

England 138-3 (30), Harry Brook 10, Joe Root 23, Nathan Lyon 1-41 (8)

13:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A first sign of aggression from Harry Brook, staying stooped as he advances towards Nathan Lyon, getting to the pitch and lifting elegantly over extra cover.

A quicker ball is forced through by Lyon in response, catching a thickish outside edge of Brook’s flashing bat that beats a sprawling Steve Smith at slip. But Australia just can’t build any pressure with this scattered field - Brook need not chance another venture from his crease as he and Root take nine from Lyon’s over.

England 129-3 (29), Harry Brook 3, Joe Root 22, Scott Boland 1-37 (8)

13:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia aren’t happy with the state of the Dukes - there have been far fewer problems in the County Championship this year after a particularly bad batch of balls kept going soft last year, but one to monitor as the series goes on.

Solid from Boland; solid from both England batters.

England 127-3 (28), Harry Brook 2, Joe Root 20, Nathan Lyon 1-33 (7)

13:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A little more air from Lyon, tossed up on middle stump and asking Harry Brook if he fancies a go. Brook does not, watching it on to the middle of an upright bat.

England 126-3 (27.3), Harry Brook 2, Joe Root 20, Nathan Lyon 1-32 (6.3)

13:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Struck on the pad, Australia gather for a chat...no review. Joe Root chances a reverse sweep as he faces Nathan Lyon for the first time after lunch, but it appears to have pitched outside leg stump.

Indeed it has.

England 125-3 (27), Harry Brook 1, Joe Root 20, Scott Boland 1-35 (7)

13:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Harry Brook is off the mark straight away, a gentle pat into the offside finding enough of a gap for England’s number five to call his partner through.

It will be Nathan Lyon at the other end. This could be fun.

Ready to resume... England 124-3 (26.4), Harry Brook, Joe Root 20, Scott Boland 1-34 (6.4)

13:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Right, we are nearing a resumption at Edgbaston, with Australia’s side gathered in a huddle on the boundary and Harry Brook practicing a few strokes before he makes his way down the steps. No overs for Cameron Green in the first session but the rest of the visiting attack have all had a good run - Scott Boland has two more balls to complete his over but Pat Cummins has a decision to make about who to start with at the other end. Brook vowed this week that he was going to take on Nathan Lyon - perhaps it would be wise to give England’s nascent middle order star a few tempters before he’s set.

Summary: Australia hit back after Crawley’s opening salvo

13:36 , Lawrence Ostlere

Zak Crawley got England’s Ashes summer off to a vibrant start at Edgbaston, smashing the first ball of the series for four and posting a dashing half-century before falling to the final delivery of the opening morning.

The hosts won the toss and chose to bat, making good on their promises to play proactive cricket as they raced along to 124 for three at lunch in the first LVInsurance Test.

Crawley, whose inconsistent form has drawn intense scrutiny over his place, repaid the selectors’ faith with an agenda-setting 61 of 73 balls, but when Scott Boland had him caught off the glove with the final act of the session it was a huge moment for the tourists.

Ben Duckett (12) and Ollie Pope (31) also fell, leaving Joe Root in charge of carrying the fight in the afternoon.

Double hat-trick in one over for English 12-year-old

13:28 , Lawrence Ostlere

In other news, what a story this is from Worcestershire:

A bowler taking a hat-trick in any form of cricket is a rarity but 12-year-old junior player Oliver Whitehouse bagged a ‘double hat-trick’ in an astonishing over for his club.

Whitehouse, playing for Bromsgrove Cricket Club against Cookhill this month, removed six opposition batsmen in six balls and across two overs took eight wickets without conceding a run.

“I couldn’t believe the significance of what he had achieved,” Jayden Levitt, the first team captain of Bromsgrove Cricket Club told the BBC.

“It’s absolutely amazing to get a double hat-trick in one over is absolutely mind-blowing, it’s an amazing effort and I think he probably won’t realise the significance until he’s a lot older.”

Whitehouse, who described his feat as unbelievable, became something of a social media sensation with a Twitter post about his heroics garnering 45,000 views.

His sporting prowess should perhaps come as no surprise as his maternal grandmother is 1969 Wimbledon tennis champion Ann Jones.

Lunch: England 124-3, Root 20, Brook 0

13:20 , Sonia Twigg

On the face of it, it’s one of the smallest prizes in the world of sport, a tiny urn just four inches tall, but for those who have won the Ashes, it is far more than that: it’s a piece of history.

Former captain Joe Root said recently that winning the Ashes can “set you up for life”, and many great players have never lifted the coveted trophy.

It is one of the oldest rivalries in sport, the former convict colony against England, and is fiercely contested.

The Independent spoke to four former England players about what the Ashes means to them.

My Ashes memories: England players relive their battles with Australia

Ben Stokes: ‘Superhuman’ England captain’s cricket revolution now faces the ultimate test

13:16 , Lawrence Ostlere

It is conceivable that none of England’s greatest cricketing successes over the last five years would have happened without Ben Stokes. The 2019 World Cup, the miracle at Headingley and the 2023 Twenty20 World Cup success hinged on the abilities of one man, who has most recently transformed England’s Test fortunes.

Full story:

Ben Stokes: ‘Superhuman’ England captain’s cricket revolution faces ultimate test

LUNCH! England 124-3 (26.4)

13:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That wicket makes that session about even, I’d say. Australia have had to work really, really hard on a placid surface but have managed to snaffle three England wickets. Their defensive fields have baffled at times but it has meant that England, though scoring freely, haven’t been able to accelerate totally away, and they’ll have a new batter to attack immediately after the interval.

Lunch: England 124-3, Root 20, Brook 0

13:11 , Sonia Twigg

As the players refuel, it’s time for us to do the same, so here’s a bit of lunchtime reading to tide you over for the next little while.

The first ball of the series between England and Australia has earned its own mythology down the years – so can it really set the tone for what’s to come? England will be hoping so after Zak Crawley’s splendid cover drive off Pat Cummins first up this morning.

Why the Ashes’ first ball could be the most important of all

Sonia Twigg at Edgbaston

13:04 , Sonia Twigg

It has been a better start than many of those supporting England could have hoped for, as they reach lunch 124-3.

The horrors of the first delivery from Mitchell Starc to Rory Burns were pushed further down in the memory banks when Crawley started with a fluent boundary off Pat Cummins.

Crawley has not scored a century since day one of the first Test in Pakistan at Rawalpindi, but has not looked more fluent than this, he survived an edge with no appeal.

But the Kent opener was out on the final ball before lunch, after a delivery from Boland just caught the glove on the way through with a hint of extra bounce, and he was out for 61 from 73 delivieries.

Ollie Pope was trapped lbw, after a successful Australian review, and Ben Duckett waved at one that just caught the edge on the way through to the wicketkeeper, but it’s still been England’s morning.

Australia may have to consider revisiting their defensive tactics at lunch, with up to four on the boundary to stop the fours rather than take wickets, has at times looked an odd choice.

Ben Stokes’ request for faster, bouncier wickets does not seem to have materialised, but it does look a good pitch to bat on (read flat) and England’s batters have been largely untroubled, but are three wickets down at the break.

OUT! Zak Crawley c †Carey b Boland 61 (73b 7x4 0x6), England 124-3 (26.4)

13:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A clear flick of the bottom thumb and Zak Crawley is gone! A curious decision from Marais Erasmus when it appeared so certain that it had hit something, but Pat Cummins wasted no time sending it upstairs for a look.

Crawley traipses off, knowing that really should have been more, but gone on the stroke of lunch. Scott Boland has his first Ashes wicket on English soil, finding extra bounce from a length for the first time, and that will really lift Australia’s hopes as they head upstairs to enjoy some of the famous Edgbaston catering.

England 124-2 (26.3), Zak Crawley 61, Joe Root 20, Scott Boland 0-34 (6.3)

13:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Out? A huge noise as Zak Crawley is squared up but umpire Marais Erasmus is unmoved! Australia review!

England 121-2 (26), Zak Crawley 61, Joe Root 17, Nathan Lyon 1-31 (6)

13:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Nowt to make either batter fearful as Lyon skips through his set of six.

England 116-2 (25), Zak Crawley 58, Joe Root 15, Scott Boland 0-31 (6)

12:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Joe Root has his first boundary, waving a rare off-line Scott Boland ball a fond goodbye as he sends it on its way to the fine leg fence.

A couple more overs before lunch, with the first of them to be delivered by a returning Nathan Lyon.

England 111-2 (24), Zak Crawley 58, Joe Root 10, Josh Hazlewood 1-27 (7)

12:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Root angles one beyond Cameron Green in the gully, forcing Nathan Lyon to hurry around from deep backward point and intervene a few yards short of the boundary, with the batter’s tally swelled by two. That hint of movement in the last couple of overs has Australia more engaged, with Hazlewood engaged in more considered conversation by his captain as Pat Cummins tries to figure out how best to build a bit of pressure.

That’s probably not the way - an aimless short ball climbing only to the bottom of Zak Crawley’s ribs that the bowler is slightly fortunate to concede only two from.

England 106-2 (23), Zak Crawley 56, Joe Root 7, Scott Boland 0-26 (5)

12:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Movement, at last! Australia have worked hard on the ball, protecting the lacquer on one side with England’s free-scoring and a dry square wearing the other, and Boland manages to zip one inside an airy drive from Crawley, drawing an ooh or two from behind the stumps.

England 103-2 (22), Zak Crawley 56, Joe Root 4, Josh Hazlewood 1-22 (6)

12:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

I would tend to agree with the criticism of Australia’s tactics so far, but there is no denying that this is an incredibly flat surface. It’s both true and slow, and there’s no overheads to generate swing, which is making batting easy. Clearly Australia are hoping to draw an error through sheer accuracy and attrition, but England are ticking along at just short of five an over without having to play a shot in anger.

Steve Smith launches into an ambitious appeal as a Hazlewood ball brushes Joe Root’s pad before slamming into the heart of the former England captain’s bat. Outside the line, and pretty clearly, too, as the rest of the Australian leadership panel tell Smith.

Scott Boland returns for a second spell with 15 minutes or so before the interval.

England 102-2 (21), Zak Crawley 56, Joe Root 3, Pat Cummins 0-32 (7)

12:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Harry Brook inspects his cuticles on the England balcony as Zak Crawley brings up the team hundred with a thumping pull through midwicket. “I’ve been shocked, in many ways, at how defensive they’ve been with the fields that they’ve set,” Eoin Morgan comments on Sky Sports of Australia’s predilection for boundary riders during this first session.

England 96-2 (20), Zak Crawley 51, Joe Root 2, Josh Hazlewood 1-21 (5)

12:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A watchful start from Joe Root, content to let Josh Hazlewood nag away outside off stump for the concession of two singles in the over.

Ollie Pope played well for his 31, but fell LBW to Nathan Lyon after a review from Australia.

England 94-2 (19.1), Zak Crawley 50, Joe Root 1, Josh Hazlewood 1-19 (4.1)

12:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A wicket with the final ball of his spell for Nathan Lyon - he’s off for a rest, with Josh Hazlewood recalled to the attack for a burst before lunch having made the breakthrough first up.

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