Watch as Joe Root is frustrated by England's first Test Ashes defeat, but praises Australia

Sport360 staff 09:30 06/08/2019
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  • Joe Root admitted frustration at England losing the first Ashes Test, but praised Australia for the way they played after they dismantled the hosts’ batting order in the second innings on Monday.

    Australia took a 1-0 lead in the opening Ashes Test with a thumping 251-run victory over England at Edgbaston.

    The hosts, 13 without loss overnight, were hoping to bat through the day to salvage a draw, having been set a mountainous fourth innings target of 398 to win.

    However, England slumped to 85 for 4 by the lunch break and were all out for 146 half an hour before tea, Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon doing most of the damage with 6 for 49.

    “Look, it’s frustrating to have finished the way it is has. I think credit has to go to Australia, we were bowled out today, I don’t think it was gifted to them,” said the England skipper.

    “But ultimately, I think we’re got to look further back in the game and they fought extremely hard to get into that position. There’s things that we can take from the game, absolutely, from both sides of it.

    “I thought for three days we were brilliant. To get into that position of a 90 (run) lead was a strong one. Unfortunately we couldn’t quite get it right yesterday.”

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