PLENTY had predicted the margins would be fine in this eagerly awaited and closely matched Ashes.
Yet as shadows lengthened the stands slurred in the late afternoon sunshine, Edgbaston was given the perfect demonstration of how fine.
With Australia opener Usman Khawaja having batted brilliantly to 112, anchoring Australia's reply to within 128 runs with five wickets in hand, Stuart Broad exploded his stumps with the second delivery with the second new ball.
Yet as he trudged past umpire Marais Erasmus, he was reprieved, the South African holding out a big right arm to signal no-ball.
It was tight, the heel of Broad's left boot missing the crease by no more than a quarter of an inch but it was correct nonetheless.
An hour after Khawaja had regathered his concentration, the Aussies had moved to 311-5 for no further loss, just 82 adrift of England's first-innings declaration.
More than any other on another enthralling day's cricket, that moment looked pivotal as England and Australia wrestled for the upper hand.
Khawaja was the day's standout performer on a day of redemption, with the opener dropped seven times by Australia in his Test career and who, in 15 Ashes innings over here, had passed 50 just once.
This story is from the June 18, 2023 edition of Sunday Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 18, 2023 edition of Sunday Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Emily's expecting even more in '25
ENGLAND'S record points scorer Emily Scarratt is convinced 2025 is going to break new ground for women's rugby in this country.
LUKE: TRASH TALK IS JUST RUBBISH
WORLD CHAMPION Luke Humphries planted his standard at the summit of Alexandra Palace and sent out a warning to Peter 'Snakebite' Wright: \"Your trash talk won't work on me.\"
'Insecure' Elvis feared for future as Beatlemania was always on his mind
ELVIS Presley was all shook up and feared his music career would end when Beatlemania hit America 60 years ago.
Time to roll back the ‘harmful' nanny state
BRITAIN needs to roll back the nanny state and give its citizens more freedom to manage their own health and finances, an independent think tank has suggested.
Rapid nationalisation for failing train firms
BOSSES of failing train operators have been warned they could be fast-tracked for nationalisation.
Life after cancer: 'I am lucky to be here, but now I'm ready to move on'
DESPITE all of her career success Sarah Beeny reveals she is hugely proud that her four sons have formed a successful indie rock band.
growers AI to help cut global waste
RED SPIDER mites can devastate vegetable plants, as this image shows, but help is at hand thanks to artificial intelligence.
Monty brings blooming good news
PERENNIAL green-fingered favourite Monty Don shows no signs of wilting - and will host Gardeners' World for at least another two years.
Reeves: VAT on school fees will raise standards
CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves has defended the introduction of VAT on school fees by insisting it will lead to \"more teachers\" and \"higher standards\" in the state sector.
Homes face £45 bill hike to clear bad energy debt
PLANS to charge every household up to £45 extra on their energy bills, to help write off £1.29billion in customer debt are being considered by the Government.
