England v Australian Edgbaston 1st Test match 5,6,7,8,9 July 2001 (5-day match)

Result: Australia won by and innings and 118 runs -

Umpires : SA Bucknor (WI) and G Sharp

Match Reports : Day 1; Day 2; Day 3; Day 4

Toss: Australia (elected to field)

Close of Play:

Day 1: England 294, Australia 133/2 (Slater 76*, ME Waugh 0*; 22 overs)

Day 2: Australia 332/4 (SR Waugh 101*, Martyn 34*; 81.2 overs)

Day 3: Australia 576, England 48/1 (Trescothick 21*, Butcher 15*; 13 overs)

Fourth Day Report :

After play had started on time this morning, England's hopes rested firmly at the hands of Marcus Trescothick and Mark Butcher. From the off, the pair attacked and defended with ease, dispatching Warne for four after four, until Steve Waugh took him out of the attack and brought on Brett Lee in the 23rd over.

Taking Butcher's lead who had hit McGrath for consecutive fours, Trescothick joined in the run spree by hooking McGrath over square leg for six, his first of two sixes in the morning session.

When Waugh decided on a bowling change and brought in pace for spin, Butcher had no answer to a rising fast delivery and gloved the ball through to Adam Gilchrist and he was on his way back for a well crafted 41. England were now 2 for 99.

Nasser Hussain came in and immediately got off the mark with a boundary. It was to be the highlight of a short innings for Hussain. Gillespie had joined the attack and looked sharp and determined to make amends for his loose bowling last night. When Hussain was sitting comfortably on 9 Gillespie came in to bowl and struck the England captain on his left hand, the Essex man in obvious pain left the field on the instructions of the England physio for a urgent check up at the hospital.

It all went wrong for England at that point. Ward came in and went, playing on from a quick delivery from Brett Lee. Gillespie took the first of his three wickets when Stewart (5) edging the ball to Shane Warne at first slip who took an astonishing catch. Two runs later Afzaal was completely beaten by Gillespie and trapped leg before for two the debutante playing all around a straight delivery. Craig White managed to last six balls until Gillespie comprehensively bowled him for his third wicket and final ball of the morning's session.

Australia will now look to all out attack when play resumes after lunch, only Marcus Trescothick stands in their way after a superb knock of 76 not out which has so far included 2 sixes and 11 fours. It didn't take long for Australia to strike after lunch; in fact it was with Shane Warne's first delivery of his over that he had Marcus Trescothick caught at first slip by Mark Waugh without adding to his score.

Darren Gough entered, took guard and was immediately sent packing, once again Warne, trapped leg before of a straight ball pushed through by the Victorian bowler. Warne was now on a hat trick. With the news that Nasser Hussain had a fractured little finger and was not available to bat, Australia only required one more wicket for victory. Warne bowled to Caddick on his hat trick, but Caddick managed to keep the ball out and he survived the over.

It was left to Shane Warne and Mark Waugh to end the England fight, Giles caught once again at first slip without scoring. Way back in 1985, the same two teams played on the same pitch to get the same result - Australia winning by an innings and 118 runs. The man of the match adjudicated by the Channel 4 commentary team was given to Adam Gilchrist for his superb knock of 152. No one could have argued with the decision, it was a clear match-changing knock.

Ashes 2001 Main Menu