FLIPPING HELL

Cummins gets his revenge for Headingley four years ago as he turns tables on Stokes and inflicts agonising defeat on England

- DEAN WILSON

BEN STOKES and his Bazballers were beaten at their own game by Australia's captain fantastic.

From No.9, Pat Cummins produced the counter-attacking innings of a lifetime to snatch the first Test from under England's noses and seal a remarkable two-wicket win for the Aussies.

The tourists made it to their target of 281 with just four overs left to spark celebrations as England were left to ponder what might have been.

Cummins delivered the ball that Stokes hit away for four to win the Ashes Test at Headingley four years ago, as Nathan Lyon dropped to the floor in devastation.

This time Cummins hit the winning runs off Ollie Robinson then lifted Lyon into the air in exaltation. The contrast could not have been starker.

But what remains the same now as it was then is that Test match cricket has the ability to reach parts that other games cannot.

Buckle up because the drama, buzz and excitement levels for this series have already gone through the roof.

Yet, for all the entertainment this game provided, there was ultimately heartache for England, who coughed up plenty of chances and advantages as they went so close to glory but left empty-handed.