Postpublished at 13:10 British Summer Time 16 June 2023
Let's take a quick look back at that first session.
Any chance to watch this again, right?
The Ashes 2023: England's Zak Crawley smashes the first four of the day
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)
Postpublished at 13:10 British Summer Time 16 June 2023
Media caption, get involved Get Involvedpublished at 13:07 British Summer Time 16 June 2023
#bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)
Image source, ReutersHoward Horner: What an absolutely superb first session of cricket. This series could be very, very special.
Kevin: Aussies' session there, the high run rate does mean it's obviously better than 60-3 but now worried.
Rich, London: Lot of chat only for it to be clearly Australia's session.
Lunch - Eng 124-3published at 13:04 British Summer Time 16 June 2023
And that's lunch!
Well, as first sessions of an Ashes series go, that was up there.
It feels like it was all England, but actually, Australia have done well to take three wickets on a pitch this flat when they lost the toss.
Honours even?
Postpublished at 13:03 British Summer Time 16 June 2023
Ebony Rainford-Brent
Former England batter on BBC Test Match Special
Image source, Getty ImagesHow impressive is Scott Boland? He has become a dream bowler for Australia.
That wicket has really opened up the game.
WICKETpublished at 26.4 overs
Crawley c Carey b Boland 61 (Eng 124-3)
Off the glove!
A smart review, and Australia take the momentum into lunch.
Crawley is frustrated, but that has been a thoroughly entertaining innings from ball one. He has done exactly what Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes would've wanted him to do.
Postpublished at 13:02 British Summer Time 16 June 2023
Ebony Rainford-Brent
Former England batter on BBC Test Match SpecialZak Crawley's body language looked very nervous there.
Postpublished at 13:01 British Summer Time 16 June 2023
Jim Maxwell
BBC Test Match SpecialThey were very excited behind the wicket.
Australia reviewpublished at 26.3 overs
Australia are convinced that Zak Crawley has edged behind.
They are absolutely flabbergasted that it hasn't been given.
Big moment...
How's stat?!published at 12:59 British Summer Time 16 June 2023
This is now only the ninth Test match in Zak Crawley's career where he has reached 60 or more runs for the entire Test. Four of which have been in the BazBall era and this is his second vs Australia.
Image source, Action Images/ReutersImage caption, England's Zak Crawley celebrates reaching his half century against Australia at Edgbaston
Eng 121-2published at 26 overs
Nathan Lyon has looked most likely to trouble England so far, but his latest over still concedes five without Root or Crawley breaking a sweat.
One over left in the session.
Wouldn't be surprised if England try to take 10 from it.
How's stat?!published at 12:56 British Summer Time 16 June 2023
Andy Zaltzman
Cricket statistician on Test Match SpecialNathan Lyon bowled the 10th over. That's the joint-earliest a spinner has come into the attack at the start of an Ashes series since 1938.
Eng 116-2published at 25 overs
England's plan of disrupting Scott Boland's metronomic length is working perfectly.
He drifts down the leg side and Joe Root helps it on its way to the boundary.
I wonder whether England will take it easy before lunch...
Postpublished at 12:52 British Summer Time 16 June 2023
Ebony Rainford-Brent
Former England batter on BBC Test Match SpecialIt feels like the match has calmed down now. Everyone is in control.
Joe Root is doing what Joe Root does. He is just playing himself in, trying to rotate the strike.
Eng 111-2published at 24 overs
England are taking five an over with ridiculous ease.
There are gaps everywhere, and Joe Root helps himself to singles in all of them. Australia are gifting him a rather straightforward start here.
Postpublished at 12:46 British Summer Time 16 June 2023
Here's the best of Sachin Tendulkar - sorry, Zak Crawley's knock so far.
Postpublished at 12:46 British Summer Time 16 June 2023
Ebony Rainford-Brent
Former England batter on BBC Test Match SpecialThat's a beauty from Scott Boland.
He is such a quality bowler.
Eng 106-2published at 23 overs
Oh, how has that missed?
Count your blessings, Zak Crawley. Minimal footwork and a loose drive, and he's very lucky not to edge behind.
Scott Boland can't believe his luck.
In fairness, it's worked quite well for him so far.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 12:43 British Summer Time 16 June 2023
#bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)
Image source, Getty ImagesJohn Petrie: Without the pressure of captaincy, this could be a very special Ashes series for Joe Root. He could end up being called "The Accumulator".
Grazer J: As great as England are going, I still have a niggling doubt about our ability to take 20 wickets on this pitch.
Martin Hiscock: Hazy, lazy days of summer, glorious weather, leather on willow and TMS. Life can't get much better. C'mon England.
Eng 103-2published at 22 overs
Crawley 56, Root 4
This is my first live text of a home Ashes series. Apparently it's not always like this.
Who knew?
Postpublished at 12:38 British Summer Time 16 June 2023
Ebony Rainford-Brent
Former England batter on BBC Test Match SpecialZak Crawley had so much time to play that shot, it is a sign of how flat the pitch is and how well he is seeing the ball.