Summary

  • England declare on 393-8 after Root hits brilliant century off just 145 balls

  • Earliest ever declaration in the first innings of an Ashes Test

  • Root and Bairstow (78) put on 121 for sixth wicket

  • Brook (32) & Stokes (1) fall after lunch to leave England 176-5

  • Crawley, who creamed first ball of match through covers for four, hits 61

  • Watch Today at the Test at 19:00 on BBC Two and iPlayer (UK only)

  1. And breathe...published at 19:00 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    So we knew it would be fun.

    But did we think it would be that fun?

    England will start tomorrow hunting 10 Australia wickets after they have lit up the Ashes already, in stunning style.

    We'll be back from 8:00 BST tomorrow morning for all the build-up and reaction for day two. For now, here's Stephan Shemilt's take on all today's action.

    Strap yourselves in, folks. It's going to be a summer to remember.

  2. Postpublished at 18:56 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    On the pitch that they've seen and the way that England have batted, if one or two of the Australians don't do what Joe Root did today, I'd be very surprised.

  3. Postpublished at 18:54 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    So the batting is done - for now.

    It's now time to see what England's bowlers can do on this pitch tomorrow. Usman Khawaja and David Warner looked nervous, but that was their own doing rather than a case of the ball doing all sorts.

    Australia have the top three batters in the world in their middle order in Smith, Labuschagne and Head.

    It'll be a test, for sure. But I have no doubt Ben Stokes has a few surprises in store for us already.

  4. 'We've shared some special times in the middle'published at 18:50 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow to Sky Sports: "It's been a good day. The lads have been in good form, enjoying themselves and that's exactly what we spoke about."

    On Zak Crawley's boundary with the first ball of the day: "We just heard it, I was like 'wow'. It was out like a canon."

    On England's approach: "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."

    On his partnership with Joe Root: "We were five down and thinking 'lose a couple here and we are in trouble'. But I've been lucky enough to bat with Rooty for far too long. We've shared some special times in the middle. So you call upon those and we had a bit of craic out there."

    On how England will take 10 wickets tomorrow: "Be patient, relentless on a length. They are going to hit the middle of the bat, they are good players. If we can build pressure, we have guys with such a wealth of experience I've not doubt the guys will be able to call on those experiences tomorrow.£

  5. Postpublished at 18:48 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Jason Gillespie
    Former Australia bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    I used the term fearless instead of reckless. Joe Root will get the plaudits, Zak Crawley too.

    But I thought Jonny Bairstow was great, the way he and Joe Root were so busy at the crease.

  6. Postpublished at 18:46 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    That's why Zak Crawley is consistently picked for England. He can create momentum. He has played some poor shots, but he can play some brilliant ones too. Zak Crawley owes England in this series.

  7. Postpublished at 18:44 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    It feels like a lifetime ago that Zak Crawley hit the first ball of the day for four.

    Harmison's wide, Burns' first baller.

    Has Crawley written his own bit of Ashes history?

    Media caption,

    The Ashes 2023: England's Zak Crawley smashes the first four of the day

  8. 'England land the first punch'published at 18:42 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    I wouldn't have declared. You just don't know what is going to happen. England are trying to send a message no team has ever done before.

    But I applaud Ben Stokes. You think the last England Ashes, I think this is the first time in my lifetime that England have sent the first punch. I, as a captain, would've wanted a few more runs, especially with Joe Root out there.

    Even though England didn't get the wicket, it creates what the Ashes is all about. Warner and Khawaja, two experienced pros, were running like kids.

  9. Postpublished at 18:40 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    What are we thinking?

    England's greatest?

  10. Postpublished at 18:38 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    That has been one day of Test cricket but it feels like three or four!

    It was a masterclass from Joe Root, who is in my opinion, England's greatest ever. A brilliant hundred.

  11. Postpublished at 18:36 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Phil Tufnell was all of us when Ben Stokes called his players in at 393-8.

    Media caption,

    Tuffers confused as England declare early

  12. Postpublished at 18:34 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Describe that day in one word?

    I'm struggling. Entertaining seems too obvious.

    From Zak Crawley's first-ball four, to Joe Root's scoops, to Ben Stokes' declaration... it's had it all!

  13. Postpublished at 18:33 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Ebony Rainford-Brent
    Former England batter on BBC Test Match Special

    I think overall, the number one is credit to Australia. That was a flat wicket. Nathan Lyon had to come in early and take wickets. Australia have gone in and weathered that little storm.

    All the small margins have been won by Australia.

  14. Postpublished at 18:32 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    Fair play to the openers, that could have been an awkward little session, set up by Ben Stokes' declaration. England would've wanted a wicket, but Brendon McCullum will be pretty happy.

  15. Aus 14-0published at 5 overs

    Warner 8, Khawaja 4

    As solid as you like from Usman Khawaja.

    Australia survive a very tricky five overs, and that concludes an absolutely incredible first day.

    After all the hype, all the talk, all the attention... the Ashes delivers again.

    Usman Khawaja and David Warner walking off at the end of playImage source, Getty Images
  16. Aus 13-0published at 4.3 overs

    Cautious from Usman Khawaja.

    Two balls to survive.

  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 18:26 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    At work in hospital listening to TMS, had to go to an emergency call at 1735…Wasn’t sure Root would get 100 and now they’ve declared and Australia are batting?!?!

    Nurse Anon

  18. Aus 13-0published at 4 overs

    David Warner has played a couple of stunning drives but he's also very jumpy out there.

    Again, there's a bit of a mix-up between the two openers as Warner wants a single that is definitely not on the cards.

    Probably just the one more over today.

  19. Postpublished at 18:24 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    This has been fantastic. A lot of people watching are transfixed.

  20. Postpublished at 18:23 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Ebony Rainford-Brent
    Former England batter on BBC Test Match Special

    Because there's no movement here, once you get too full, it becomes easy. David Warner talked this up and he has got his feet moving now.