Australia clinched a thrilling victory in the opening Test match of the Ashes 2023 series. Skipper Pat Cummins helped his team to win the match against England by 2 wickets on Tuesday, June 20 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. It’s a brilliant start to the iconic Ashes series as there are still 4 matches left in the series and it is expected that all of them will be more thrilling.
Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has slammed the apex cricket body for fining England’s allrounder Moeen Ali for using a dry agent on his wounded finger. Ali was fined 25% of his match fee for breaching level 1 of the cricket governing body’s code of conduct. However, Harbhajan didn’t like this action of the officials and said that the outcome would not have been the same if a batter have done it.
"Don’t understand so much chatter around Moen Ali using spray on spinning fingers to numb the pain. The only issue is he should have informed the umpires, but if a batter gets a blister under the gloves, he gets a spray. Will anyone even notice? Same logic, think about it?" Harbhajan said.
Brilliant start by Australia in Ashes 2023
Talking about the match, Australia opposed England's continued use of the "Bazball" strategy by adhering to the traditional Test cricket tenets. On Day 5, Australia's batsmen Usman Khawaja (34*) and Scott Boland (13*) continued their innings as they attempted to reach the target of 281 runs. With seven wickets in hand, Australia needed 174 runs in 67 overs on Day 5. Day 5's early hours were delayed by weather, which resulted in overs being lost.
In addition to his century in the first innings, Khawaja also hit a significant 65 runs. With 54 runs left in the bank, England persisted in their fight and had Australia in danger at 227/8. But Australian captain Pat Cummins played a key unbeaten 44-run knock and received invaluable assistance from Nathan Lyon (16*) to lead Australia home with two wickets remaining. On Wednesday, June 28, the second Ashes Test begins at Lord's in London.
Here's how fans reacted:
Oh sardaar ji kya hogaya aapko? Cricket chod diye tho common sense bhi gayi?
— The Non-Striker (@IamCK12) June 20, 2023
Paaji thoda dal makhni khilaiye na pls
— Dr. SHOUNAK KAR (@KarShounak) June 20, 2023
Thank god no sandpaper this time :)
— Mayur Bikhchandani (@MBikhchandani) June 20, 2023
Aapke aise hi cricketing brain ke liye nahin diya last over fenkne ko
— Peeping sa Hoo (@dungurikiFankes) June 20, 2023
AAPiya level logic leke aya.
— Ram (@NoEasyWayOut6) June 20, 2023
Bhai tu padha likha nahi hai kya?
— Engr.DC (@_Panga_MatLe) June 20, 2023
चुप बैठ, कप तो धोनी ले के आया।
— Kamal Singh (@kamalgariya) June 20, 2023
Paaji kar di na wahi wali baat :P
— Kaustubh (@kaustiwari) June 20, 2023