Australia wins first Ashes Test, with England in tatters

Australia has drawn first blood in the Ashes flogging England by 10 wickets, with the tourists marred by off-field issues.

David Warner and Cameron Bancroft resumed at 0-114 this morning, only needing a further 56 runs for victory.

Australia’s new opening pair managed to run down the total in just over an hour.

AUSSIES WIN! 1-0 #BeatEngland

Warner finishes 87* and Bancroft 82* as the hosts win by 10 wickets at the Gabba! https://t.co/P6sH6ROa7L #Ashes pic.twitter.com/kkxfmnzapw

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 27, 2017

Steve Smith’s 141 not out in the first innings put the Australians into a match-winning position, but David Warner told Channel 9 their spinner shouldn’t be overlooked.

“A lot of credit has to go to Nathan Lyon, the way that he bowled with a lot of pressure on him,” he said.

“To put the ball on a string and bowl in the same areas for 40 overs, that was just fantastic.”

England’s problems on the pitch are compounded by the revelation of reports that English wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow headbutted Australia’s Cameron Bancroft at a pub earlier this month.

The English Cricket Board is investigating the incident.

The series continues on December 2 in Adelaide.