Who will win the first Ashes Test on Day 5 – England or Australia?

The first Ashes Test between Australia and England has been a  nearly queried affair, with neither side suitable to take a clear advantage. The match has been played at Edgbaston in Birmingham, and after five violent days of action, the contest is well-poised. The moving day of the contest lived up to its character as the match shifted in a whole different direction, despite only 33 overs being sailed.

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England made the captions on the first day after declaring their innings on 393/8, with centurion Joe Root unbeaten on one end. Their early protestation didn’t reap any prices originally as David Warner and Usman Khawaja fenced off the late charge.

England silenced their critics with a strong bowling performance on Day 2’s first session. After reducing their rivals to a vulnerable state, the hosts were hoping to gain a substantial lead. But, a recalcitrant knock by Usman Khawaja and a pivotal fifty by Alex Carey swung the pendulum in favor of Australia, who was awaiting a lead after being in a healthy state at 393/8.

In another twist, England convinced a collapse with a weak Australian tail order only proving to beget the process. The Australian ended their innings by handing a slender seven-run lead to the opposition. The conditions were heavily heavy, and the Australian bowlers made the ball talk, dismissing both the English openers.

The hosts were on thin ice when rain intruded on the play. Day 5 of the Edgbaston Test promises to be an exciting one, with good rainfall read. There’s also a provision for half-hour extensions on Day 5 due to the overs lost on Day 3.

England finds themselves in an uncharted home in the sense that they’ve not yet been subordinated to the tough troika of tough bowlers, tough conditions, and extreme pressure. The Australian bowling unit has been rampant, and the conditions have been thick. The hosts will have to put up a stalwart fight to avoid losing the match.