England declare at 393/8, Joe Root hits 30th ton

LONDON: Former England captain Joe Root began Ashes 2023 campaign on a high, hitting his 30th Test hundred at Edgbaston in Birmingham. As the crowd chanted his name, the 32-year-old reached the milestone in 145 balls, dominating the Australian bowling attack on Day 1 of the first Test of the much-anticipated series.

The hosts declared their first innings at 393 runs in 78 overs losing 8 wickets. Root remained unbeaten at 118 from 152 balls with 7 fours and 4 sixes. He added 121 runs for the sixth wickets with comeback man Jonny Bairstow who made 78 runs from 78 balls. Spinner Nathan Lyon took 4 wickets for 149 runs while Josh Hazlewood took two wickets for 61. Australia were 14 runs for no loss in 4 overs at stumps.

Earlier, opener Zak Crawley was out last ball before lunch to leave England on 124-3 and temper what had been a positive opening session. Root steadied the ship again for England as his unbeaten half century steered the hosts to 240-5 at tea, after the key wickets of captain Ben Stokes and young firebrand Harry Brook had given Australia the edge.

Brook, who had previously scored four centuries in seven matches for England and has been at the forefront of their aggressive new approach, was in good touch again before a freakish dismissal off the bowling of Nathan Lyon.

After Stokes came and went quickly for just one, Australia were eyeing the possibility of skittling England out before Root stood firm, with England's all-time leading run scorer across all forms of cricket, seeing his side through to tea without further damage, unbeaten on 66.

Brook raced onto 32 off 37 balls before he was left helpless as a blocked shot looped back over his head and onto the stumps in bizarre fashion.

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