Nathan Lyon's 'incredible' Ashes reaction after ugly sledge from Ollie Robinson

England fast bowler Ollie Robinson has been left with egg on his face after a cocky swipe at Australia's tail came back to bite him in a drama-filled first Ashes Test. Captain Pat Cummins and spinner Nathan Lyon batted the Aussies to an absorbing victory after putting on 55 runs for the ninth wicket to help the tourists chase down an improbable 281-run target at Edgbaston to take a 1-nil lead in the five-Test series.

Cummins labelled the epic two-wicket win as the greatest of his Test career and it was sweet vindication for Lyon and Australia's tail, which came in for criticism both before and during the first Test. Robinson played with fire after the first innings when he confidently declared that the Aussies have "three No. 11’s" in their side with Lyon, Scott Boland and Josh Hazlewood - a brutal shot at the quality of the tourists' lower order.

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Fast forward to day five and not only did Boland add a vital 20 runs after coming in as nightwatchman, but Lyon finished with the most valuable 16 runs to help get the Aussies across the line with 4.3 overs left. Cummins himself finished with an unbeaten 44 in what fans described as an "extraordinary" display from Australia's tail.

Ollie Robinson reminded of cocky sledge

In a victory that captivated the cricket world, even Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tweeted his congratulations to Cummins' victorious men. However, it was the comments from Robinson that many fans were quick to remind the England star of, after they'd backfired so spectacularly on his side.

Usman Khawaja named man-of-the-match

First-innings centurion Usman Khawaja was named man-of-the-match after setting up Australia's chase with his 66, before being dismissed by England skipper Ben Stokes, who will be ruing a dropped catch off Stuart Broad that could have removed Lyon late on the final day. Alex Carey fell shortly after Khawaja for 20, superbly caught-and-bowled by Joe Root.

England were then left to rue several chances, including Root grassing a tough chance off Cummins when Australia's captain was on six and Stokes' drop. Suddenly, it was England who were guilty of being too defensive in the field as they left men on the boundary and allowed two bowlers to eke out the runs required.

For Australia, this victory will mean so much as they aim to claim a first Ashes series win in England since 2001. They have lost almost every close game they have played in the last decade, with this their best fourth-innings chase since Cummins hit them to victory on debut against South Africa in 2011.

Prior to Tuesday, they had also been beaten in every match against England in Tests decided by three or fewer wickets or 15 runs since 1926. But just like Headingley 1981, Edgbaston 2005 and Headingley 2019, this Test will immediately go down in Ashes folklore.

"It felt like almost from the first session of day one, it was 50-50 all the way along," Cummins said. "It never felt like it swung too far one way or another. And I reckon that was the same until about 15 minutes to go."

While Cummins was the star of the final hour, it was player of the match Khawaja who had his finest hour as a Test cricketer after years of torment in England. Khawaja followed his dazzling century in the first innings, with another important half century in the second - facing a staggering 518 balls for the match, which is the most of any Australian in a Test this century.

"I'm not going to lie, I was absolutely s******g myself in the last five minutes," Khawaja admitted. "I have never felt like this after a Test. We have had some hard times here."

with AAP

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