The 2023 Ashes series has been one of the most awaited cricketing series this year.
The storied rivalry between England and Australia rarely disappoints, especially with both sides looking extremely strong this time around.
And we were treated to an edge-of-the-seat thriller to kickstart proceedings with England and Australia churning up a classic at Edgbaston in the first Ashes Test of the summer.
Relive the first Ashes Test here
Who won the Ashes first Test?
It was the visitors, Australia, who pulled off a magnificent two-wicket victory over England in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston.
England, who elected to bat first, put up a score of 393/8 before declaring their first innings. Joe Root was the star for the home team, scoring an unbeaten 118. Australia's reply was led by Usman Khawaja (140) but they ended up conceding a narrow lead of 7.
England then proceeded to set Australia a challenging target of 281 to chase, thanks to brisk knocks from Root (46), Harry Brook (46) and Ben Stokes (43).
Australia's chase turned out to be a nail-biting thriller. Khawaja held much of the innings together with a patient 65 but it appeared England had Australia on the ropes at 227/8, with 54 runs still needed for the win.
Bet here on The Ashes 2023 England vs Australia series (selected markets)
But Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon stitched together a 55-run ninth-wicket partnership to steer Australia to a famous win.
Cummins reflects on 'satisfying' Ashes win
Whilst Khawaja made the biggest impact with the bat in terms of total runs, it was an unlikely partnership between bowlers Cummins and Lyon that got Australia across the line.
Their combined 55-run effort - with just two wickets in hand - saw the visitors pinch a result that could be crucial to retaining the urn.
Australia fell short the last time they visited England, and their captain acknowledged that the 2019 Ashes series was in the back of his mind.
"Yeah, I would be lying if I said it didn't (cross my mind)," Cummins said post-match.
"We were on the other side of one in the last series here. When you're on the other side it feels like one that's got away and it really hurts.
"It's a really happy dressing room in there. A lot of those guys were there at Headingley and to clinch one that was perhaps out of our grasp for a little while there is pretty satisfying.
"It's about having that belief that anyone is a match-winner, you could be the one to step up and win it.
"When you're in the backyard playing as a kid you wish to be in these moments, to be here in an Ashes series. That's what you want and it's great to be on the winning side."
Ashes first Test Scorecard
Here's the scorecard of the first Ashes Test.
Usman Khawaja was named the Man of the Match for his scores of 140 and 65.
When does the second Ashes Test start?
The second Ashes Test between England and Australia will begin on June 28 at Lord's.
Ashes latest betting odds
The Ashes: Second Test
| England win | Draw | Australia win | |
| AU (TAB) | $2.45 | $6.00 | $1.95 |
| UK (Skybet) | 6/4 | 4/1 | 11/10 |
| India (Dafabet) | 2.46 | 5.40 | 2.14 |
