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The Ashes: How England won a thrilling first Test of the series at Trent Bridge

Could the first Ashes Test of the summer live up to the long build-up?

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Round-up | Gallery | Athers on Agar

Day three close - Eng 215 & 326-6 lead Aus 280 by 261 runs

What to expect after the Ashtonishing events of day two? Tension of a more attritional nature took hold in the morning as England ticked over at 2.18, eking out a lead with the same determination shown by Ian Botham as he attempted to track down the culprit who ticked every item on his breakfast order list - twice. While 'operator error' took the blame for Hotspot's failure to reprieve Trott, caution was the watchword in the middle but Agar wasn't out of the spotlight for long as he bagged his maiden Test wicket, that of Alastair Cook (50) no less, after Peter Siddle (64) had rearranged Kevin Pietersen's furniture via an inside edge. England improved their lunchtime total of 157-4 to 230-6 at tea as Ian Bell (95no) dropped anchor and Matt Prior injected some much-needed momentum but Stuart Broad lit the blue touch-paper when he refused to walk for a clear edge behind and with Australia out of reviews, they had to swallow umpire Aleem Dar's not out decision. Even Nasser - never a walker - called it the most "obvious edge of all time", while the usually placid Michael Holding said Broad had, by the ICC's definition, acted contrary to the spirit of the game. All of which detracted from one of Ian Bell's most responsible Test knocks yet. Just another quiet day... Round-up | Strauss on walking | Gallery

Day four close - Eng 215 & 375 lead Aus 280 & 174-6 by 136 runs

With the pitch resembling one of Karachi's finest thanks to a mini heat-wave in the Midlands, temperatures rose in the Ashes Zone as Athers manfully explained how to play reverse swing, only to be cleaned out (once again) by 'Waqar Younis' in the virtual net. Strauss declined to bat. All of which made Ian Bell's 18th Test ton one of his best yet - a 'Rock of Gibraltar' knock that put the hosts in a winning position and ensured that at least one batsman would score more than Australia's No 11. The importance of his 138-run partnership with Broad ("He's nicked one too many," said Bumble as the all-rounder departed for 65) shone through as England lost their last three wickets fall for four runs. Set 311 to win, Australia began their chase with enough bristling verve - Shane Watson and Chris Rogers putting on 84 - that even Beefy's face betrayed a flicker of concern. The sun-soaked Saturday crowd had all but lost their voice when Australia began to unravel, then flounder. With 150 needed and seven wickets in the bank, skipper Clarke feathered Broad behind and Swann trapped Smith lbw next ball. Game on, again. Promoted Agar saw the day out and it felt fitting that he'd begin the final day at the crease. But surely he wouldn't be there at the end...? Round-up | Gallery | Athers' Younis nightmare

Day five result - England win by 14 runs

As Sky's pundits picked their moment of the Test (so far) before play resumed you couldn't help feeling that the best might still be to come - certainly if you support Australia. Once again Jimmy Anderson stepped up and a remarkable match seemed done and dusted after his third wicket of the morning but this is the Ashes and nothing comes easy, particularly with the nuggety Brad Haddin still embedded at the crease and Australia tapping a rich vein of No 11s. James Pattinson picked up where Agar left off in the first innings and with Haddin taking the attack to Finn, the momentum tilted again, and again still further as 'the Watford Wall' failed to hold a tough diving chance to win the match. Australia have never won an Ashes Test by one wicket and with nerves frayed over a delayed lunch, the stage was set for high drama you'd struggle to find in the West End. Regrouped, England went back to man-of-the-match Anderson and he duly delivered the final blow, picking up his 10th wicket of the match with Haddin tickling one behind. Inevitably the finger stayed down and England, with nothing to lose, reviewed the decision and this time technology came up trumps in the hosts' favour. Pure theatre. Gallery | Report | Round-up You can relive all the best action from the Test by reading our interactive commentary from Trent Bridge and catch the second Test, from Lord's, live on Sky Sports Ashes HD and the Ashes Event Centre from 10am on Thursday.

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