Australia captain Pat Cummins and tailender Nathan Lyon became the immovable force of defiance at Edgbaston on June 20 (Tuesday). The duo stitched an unbeaten 55-run alliance for the ninth wicket to roll out the Baggy Greens' road to an exhilarating victory on Day 5 of the first Ashes Test. Cummins scored the winning runs before running around the ground in delight. He flung his helmet and bat on the ground and punched the air with both hands and lifted Lyon in the middle of the Edgbaston ground. As a result, Australia avenged their agonising two-run defeat at Edgbaston in 2005.
There were many heroes in the Baggy Greens' spectacular win. Charismatic Cummins played a match-winning knock of 44 not out after picking four wickets with the ball in the second innings. Lyon and Scott Boland blunted the English bowlers' seam, swing and spin like true pros and, Usman Khawaja held Australia's innings together both in the first and second innings of the match.
After the match, Cummins spoke highly of Lyon and Khawaja, both of whom brought their experience to the fore and played contrasting, yet effective innings under loads of pressure.
"Incredible composure, played by own methods didn't get caught up. Been class the last couple of years, to have someone like that (Khawaja) in the middle for others to play around. I am really happy for him. He had a good feel for the wicket, everyone else tried to play their little role," Cummins said while lauding Khawaja at the post-match presentation.
Lyon's crucial knock with the bat came after he chipped in with eight wickets in the Test match. The right-arm veteran offie stuck to his guns and didn't get rattled by the England batters' aggressive approach.
Cummins was all praise for Lyon whose contribution both with the bat and ball made a huge difference for the Baggy Greens.
"He’s (Lyon) huge, both innings he is putting down one end. He is an absolute superstar, he is calm and goes about his work. He is a captain’s dream," Cummins said.
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