Ashes: Australia beat England in first Test

Brisbane : Australia completed a 10-wicket victory over England in the first Ashes Test on the fifth morning in Brisbane. Chasing a target of 170, the hosts got the 56 runs they required in little more than an hour, with David Warner 87 not out and debutant Cameron Bancroft unbeaten on 82.

On just two previous occasions have England lost the first Test in Australia and gone on to win the Ashes, but Joe Root’s men need only draw the series to retain the urn.

The next Test, a day-nighter in Adelaide, begins on Saturday, so the tourists must re-group quickly both on and off the field. News of an investigation into an alleged headbutt by wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow on Australia’s Bancroft in a Perth bar four weeks ago emerged on Sunday.

Both men were on the field throughout Monday’s play and shook hands at the conclusion of the match.

It was Bancroft who offered the only semblance of a chance, edging Jake Ball past lone slip Alastair Cook when on 60.

He hit the winning runs off Chris Woakes as Australia preserved their 29-year unbeaten record at the Gabba on the third anniversary of the death of Phillip Hughes. This was England’s sixth successive Test defeat in Australia following a 5-0 whitewash in 2013-14.

Despite the margin of victory, this match was even for the majority of the contest and offers some suggestion the series could be keenly fought.

Ultimately, it was decided by some key moments going the way of the home side, partly through Australian excellence and partly through England mistakes. On the first day, with England 127-1, James Vince was run out for 83 by a brilliant direct hit from Nathan Lyon.