England draw first blood against Australia in Ashes series

Cardiff (UK): Stuart Broad led England to a 169-run victory in the first Ashes Test as Australia collapsed either side of lunch on the fourth day at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens on Saturday. Australia, well-placed at 97 for one, slumped to 106 for five as four wickets fell for just nine runs in 36 balls. Chasing a record-breaking 412 for victory, Ashes-holders Australia were dismissed for 242 after tea.

Fast-medium bowler Broad took three for 39 in 14 overs as England enjoyed an emphatic win in their first match under new Australian coach Trevor Bayliss.

As if defeat wasn’t bad enough for Australia, left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc was struggling to be fit in time for Thursday’s second Test at Lord’s after injuring his ankle. No side have made more in the fourth innings to win an Ashes Test than Australia’s 404 for three at Headingley back in 1948 when Arthur Morris scored 182 and Donald Bradman an unbeaten 173. But Ashes-holders Australia were well-placed at 97 for one when they lost David Warner lbw for 52 to off-spinner Moeen Ali on the stroke of lunch.

Broad had bowled superbly in an opening spell of one for 10 in six overs and probably deserved more than the wicket of Chris Rogers. However, Broad renowned for striking in bursts took two for five in 13 balls shortly after lunch to capture the price wickets of Steven Smith and Australia captain Michael Clarke. Broad was on target in the first full over after lunch when he seamed the ball away from Smith who edged a comfortable catch to Ian Bell at second slip as, for the second time this Test, he fell for 33.

Clarke, one of the outstanding batsmen of his generation and looking to lead Australia to their first Ashes series win in Britain in 14 years, having featured in all three subsequent losing tours, then went for just four when, reaching for a drive, he guided Broad to Ben Stokes at backward point.

And 106 for four became 106 for five when Adam Voges (one) edged fast bowler Mark Wood through to wicket-keeper Jos Buttler.England captain Alastair Cook has often been criticised for being excessively cautious in the field. But that this was a day when everything seemed to go right for Cook.