The Ashes 2013, 1st Test: England edge Australia in tense finish

England players celebrate the win after third umpire overturned the on-field call of not-out by Aleem Dar

Day 5 of the 1st Ashes Test match stood up to its reputation of being a thriller as England edged Australia by 14 runs in a nail biting finish at Trent Bridge.

Agar and Haddin began the day with caution. Just as they were starting to look settled though, James Anderson picked up three wickets to leave Australia reeling at 231/9.

Anderson first dismissed Agar and Starc in quick succession as he kept England in the driver’s seat. Both the catches were taken by Alastair Cook. But with everyone already anticipating an early finish, Siddle and Haddin put up a brief partnership, before Anderson ended Siddle’s stay at the wicket with a flying catch from Captain Cook at first slip.

Aussies still needed 80 runs with the last pair of Haddin and Pattinson in the middle. What happened for the next 60 minutes was some astonishing cricket by Australia’s last two batsmen which made this Test one of the most memorable in recent memory.

Both players played with a mixture of caution and aggression as they respected Anderson and saw his spell out. They were particularly severe on Finn as his two-over spell cost England 24 runs. Haddin in particular seemed keen on hitting Finn out of the attack. Even Swann and Braod looked ineffective as Aussies handle them with ease.

In a match of twist and turns, it was Australia who seemed to be closing in on a staggering Ashes victory with England looking increasingly nervous at the lunch break.

But then Cook had an ace up his sleeve; Anderson stood up for his country and got rid of Brad Haddin in a decision that was referred to the third umpire for a thin edge. After Aleem Dar originally gave it not out, the third umpire overturned the decision which handed England a 14-run win.

Man of the Match James Andeson grabbed a five-for in each innings to bring up his 2nd 10-wicket-haul in a match, finishing with match figures of 10-158.

Brief scores:

England 215 (J Trott 48, J Bairstow 37; P Siddle 5-50) & 375 (I Bell 109, S Broad 65; M Starc 3-81)

defeated

Australia 280 (A Agar 98, P Hughes 81*; J Anderson 5-85) & 296 (B Haddin 71, C Rogers 52; J Anderson 5-73)

by 14 runs.