The third edition of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 kick-started with the first match of the Ashes 2023 between England and Australia at The Edgbaston in Birmingham. The Pat Cummins-led side after being down for most part of the game produced a sensational effort and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as they clinched the victory by 2 wickets. The winners of the last edition of the WTC, kickstarted the new cycle with the win and bagged 12 points (100)%.

England produced a magnificent effort in the first Test of the Ashes 2023. Batting first, after winning the toss, the Bazball approach by the hosts put Australia under immense pressure as they kept going after the bowlers and scored runs around the rate of 5. 

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Joe Root (118*) was the star with the bat as he slammed a magnificent century whereas Jonny Bairstow (78), Zack Crawley (61), and thirties from Harry Brook and Ollie Pope took England to 393/8 before they made a surprise declaration. English bowlers then repaid the faith skipper Ben Stokes showed in them as they bundled out Australia for 385 runs, taking the lead of 7 runs. 

Also Read: Ashes 2023: “Also Saw That With MSD And Co. In The IPL,” AB de Villiers Impressed By England’s Smart Cricket At Edgbaston

Usman Khawaja was the lone warrior for Australia with his staggering knock of 141 runs. Whereas for England, Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson picked three wickets each. The second essay was quite difficult for the hosts with the bat as they were tested by the Aussie bowlers. 

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But vital 40s from Ben Stokes, Joe Root, and Harry Brook helped them post a second innings total of 273 runs on the board, setting Australia a target of 280 runs to chase. Nathan Lyon, who bagged four wickets in the first innings scalped the exact number of wickets in the second innings as well. 

With 280 runs needed to chase, Australia had a great start as David Warner (36) and Usman Khawaja (65) gave a fiery start of 61 runs. But after that Stuart Broad was on a rampage as he removed both Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith for low scores and put Australia under pressure. 

Usman Khawaja held the one end but wickets kept falling at the other end. The game went down the wire and it was skipper Ben Stokes, who came to bowl for the first time in the second innings during the fag end, who removed the opening batter. Joe Root bagged the important scalp of Alex Carey. Skipper Pat Cummins along with Nathan Lyon then led the counterattack and brought his side back into the game. They held their nerves well and kept chipping in and held their nerves to win the game for their side and go 1-0 in the series.

Also Read: Ashes 2023: “The One Person Australia Are Missing Is Mitchell Starc” – Nasser Hussain Believes Starc’s Absence Has Helped England’s Tailenders

ICC World Test Championship 2023-25: Updated Points Table After 1st Test Between England And Australia 

The third edition of the ICC World Test Championship will be similar to the last edition. The teams will be ranked on the percentage of points. Win for the team will earn them 12 ( 100%) points for a win, 6 (50%) points for a tie and 4 (33.33%) points for a draw. Also for slow over-rates teams will lose one championship point for each over short. 

Here’s the Updated Points Table After 1st Test Between England And Australia:

Also Read: Ashes 2023: ” Its A Talking Point”- Kevin Pietersen, Nasser Hussain On Ollie Robinson’s Antics Against Usman Khawaja

Virat Kohli | Rohit Sharma | Rishabh Pant | KL Rahul | Suryakumar Yadav | Sanju Samson | Shreyas Iyer | Yuzvendra Chahal | Jasprit Bumrah