Australia crush England in the Edgbaston Ashes opener

Australia have beaten England by an innings and 118 runs in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, completing victory on the fourth day on 8 July.

Adam Gilchrist was named man of the match after a thrilling 152 from just 143 balls, as the world champions showed why they are favourites to retain the Ashes.

Gilchrist's onslaught

Australia's wicketkeeper-batsman tore into the England bowling, hitting boundaries all around the ground. His innings was one of the fastest Test centuries seen in England for many years, and took the game away from the home side.

Captain Steve Waugh and Damien Martyn also scored centuries as Australia piled up a huge first-innings total of 576, a lead of more than 280 over England.

England outplayed

England had made a reasonable start, batting first and reaching 294, with Alec Stewart and Andy Caddick adding valuable late runs. But once Australia got going, the home side had no answer.

In their second innings, England collapsed for 164, with Australia's bowlers, led by Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, taking wickets regularly, and the match was over inside four days.

A familiar story

Australia have dominated the Ashes for more than a decade. They have won every series since 1989, and England have struggled to compete against a side that includes some of the best players in the world.

England came into the series with some hope after winning series in Pakistan and Sri Lanka over the winter, but this defeat suggests the gap between the two sides is as wide as ever.

Injury worries

England's problems have been made worse by injuries. Captain Nasser Hussain and other key players have been struggling with fitness, and the selectors face difficult decisions before the second Test at Lord's.

Edgbaston's big stage

The Test drew big crowds to Edgbaston, and Australian supporters were out in force to cheer their side. The ground has hosted many memorable Test matches over the years, and its atmosphere is highly rated by players.

For Birmingham cricket fans, it was a chance to see one of the greatest teams in the history of the game at close quarters, even if the result was a disappointment.

Looking ahead

The five-match series moves on to Lord's for the second Test later this month. England will need to raise their game dramatically if they are to avoid another heavy defeat.

Australia, led by the hard-nosed Waugh, will be looking to press home their advantage. On this evidence, they will take some stopping.

England last won the Ashes in 1986-87, and a generation of cricket fans has grown up without seeing them lift the urn.