Twitter Reactions: Joe Root's hundred, Nathan Lyon's four-fer keep opening game balanced at end of Day 1

The much-awaited Ashes 2023 finally got underway on Friday, June 16 as Australia and England locked horns in the first Test at Edgbaston. England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat first, as their opener Zak Crawley started the series in emphatic fashion. The right-handed batter drove Australian skipper Pat Cummins for a four through covers on the very first ball of the rivalry series.

Despite England’s positive approach, Australia managed to take an early wicket as Josh Hazlewood dismissed Ben Duckett (12) in the fourth over. Ollie Pope walked in at number three but lost his wicket after getting set at the crease, against Nathan Lyon for 31.

Crawley continued to bat positively and brought up his half-century, however, he failed to keep his innings going, getting dismissed at the stroke of lunch for 61 (73). Harry Brook (32 off 37) continued the ‘Bazball’ play post-lunch but lost his wicket in a bizarre fashion against Lyon. Captain Ben Stokes (1) got dismissed in the very next over, leaving England reeling at 176/5.

A 121-run stand between Jonny Bairstow (78 off 78) and Joe Root rescued the England innings. Bairstow missed out on a well-deserved hundred as he got stumped against Lyon. The senior spinner further got rid of Moeen Ali (18 off 17) who smacked two fours and a six in his brief innings to leave England on 323/7. 

Stuart Broad walked in next and played a good cameo of (16 off 21) to help England reach 350. On the other hand, Joe Root held one end and was nearing his hundred.

Joe Root scored his 30th hundred in Tests

He reached the landmark in the 76^th over of the day and brought up his 30^th Test century. After achieving the milestone, he smacked a couple of sixes before Stokes surprisingly declared the innings on 393/8. Root remained unbeaten on 118 (152) and got involved in an unbeaten 43-run stand with Ollie Robinson (17*).

Australian openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja walked out to the middle for a tricky half an hour and passed it unscathed as Australia got to stumps at 14/0 after 4 overs. Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with reactions on the breathtaking Day 1 of the first Ashes Test.

Here are some of the Tweets:

England have declared in just 78 overs on Day 1 - 393/8.

Joe Root the hero, Bairstow and Crawley with brilliant fifties.#Ashes2023 #JoeRoot pic.twitter.com/kbd7DXYGMx

— Shailu Rajput (@shailuparmar201) June 16, 2023

109 V India, 1st century of WTC 2021-23

118* V Australia, 1st century of WTC 2023-25

Joseph Edward Root, ruling test cricket since 2021. The Root era we live in👑🐐 pic.twitter.com/fQhAabSFUY

— Ayesha⁶⁶ (@JoeRoot66Fan) June 16, 2023

What a start to Ashes Test Series…Runs-machine for @englandcricket and congratulations for 💯 @root66 ..Very well played @jbairstow21 and Crawley 👏🏻👏🏻 #Ashes2023 #ENGvsAUS pic.twitter.com/2LFMM2bnmP

— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) June 16, 2023

Joe root is just doing what he wants against Australia. 🤔🤔

— NickyP (@nicholas_47) June 16, 2023

Englands greatest delivers again … #Rrrroooooooooottttt

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 16, 2023

Joe Root has hit 2 reverse scoop sixes today off 85 mph seam bowlers … !! He is an incredible player … btw … what a first day this has been … entertainment of the highest order … #Ashes #OnOn

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 16, 2023

That's outrageous @root66

the way things are these days. Wasn't a big deal. #Bazball #ENGvsAUS

— Tim Bresnan (@timbresnan) June 16, 2023

First rule in Test Cricket, catches win matches!

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) June 16, 2023

Johnny Bairstow for England is what Adam Gilchrist used to be for Australia back in the days . Top player !! #intent
Also tells you how much ahead of his time the great @gilly381 was. #Ashes2023

— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) June 16, 2023

Test Cricket!!! Wow!!! Root reverse sweeps Boland for 6. 😳😳😳🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/MLTgRPq2ck

— Ashwell Prince (@ashyp_5) June 16, 2023

#ENGvsAUS #AUSvENG #Ashes2023 #Bazball

- Joe Root 118 Not Out
- England Declares innings on Day 1

McCullum showing Bazball approach : pic.twitter.com/cekYfUOzqf

— g0v!ñD $#@®mA (@rishu_1809) June 16, 2023

England scorecards on Day 1:

•Total runs - 393/9 (Declared).
•Overs - 78
•Runrate - 5.04

Joe Root scored magnificent century, Jonny Bairstow & Crawley smashed brilliant fifties - This is just Incredible from England's batters, their declaration - The Bazball Era! pic.twitter.com/vfQ7KQ7t6p

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) June 16, 2023