Bairstow celebrates ‘good day’ as England declare on 398-8 against Australia in first Ashes Test

England declared on 398-8 and left Australia 14 without loss after a promising start to the Ashes in Edgbaston.

Former captain Joe Root was the star of the home side’s innings as he arrived with England at 176-5 and in trouble, to bat through until current skipper Ben Stokes’ declaration – the earliest in the series’ history.

Root hit a century of 121 alongside Jonny Bairstow, who plundered his total at a run a ball, and there were useful efforts from the recalled, Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson.

There was a potentially significant not just at the end of the day, but with the competition’s first ball as Crawley – who scored 61 – hit Pat Cummins’ through the covers for four.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon finished with four wickets for 149 runs on a day when Australia were forced to field deep.

With Broad warmed up at the crease, he got the chance to take on his old foe David Warner with the ball, but both he and Usman Khawaja held firm to come back tomorrow with the first Test nicely poised.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the day’s play, Bairstow said: “It’s been a good day. The lads have been in good form, enjoying themselves and that’s exactly what we spoke about.”

Discussing Crawley’s opening effort, and the approach for the rest of the day, he said: “We just heard it, I was like ‘wow’. It was out like a cannon.

“It hasn’t changed over the last 12 months. If the ball is there to hit we have tried to hit it. If we miss, it’s part and parcel of the game. The lads are out there with smile on their face from the start to the end.

“When you go into a game on the back of wins, people in form and trusting each other to do their own jobs. Then collectively coming together as a unit. That’s really important.

“But we are not machines. We all don’t bat in the same way. We are humans too so we will make mistakes as well.”