‘Three number 11s,’ that’s how England pacer Ollie Robinson had called the trio of Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland & Josh Hazlewood after the first innings of the Edgbaston Test.
Little did he know that his comment will come back to haunt him.
Nathan Lyon, together with captain Pat Cummins, formed an indomitable 55-run partnership that secured a remarkable victory for Australia as they chased down 281 on a final day fraught with tension.
In doing so, they exacted revenge for Australia's famous two-run defeat on this ground 18 years ago, when the tailenders just fell short of reaching a target of 282.
Cummins, with 44 not out, and Lyon's unbeaten 16 took Australia to their narrowest Ashes win in terms of wickets since 1907.
England looked to be surging towards victory when captain Ben Stokes produced a magical slower ball to bowl Usman Khawaja for 65 and Joe Root held a stunning return catch off Alex Carey.
But as a breathless match entered its final hour, Cummins and Lyon swung the bat at England's short-ball plan to inch Australia closer.
Stokes almost dismissed Lyon with a flying catch for the ages when 37 were still needed, but the skipper lost control of the ball as he dived backwards at square leg.
The target ticked down, the evening drew in. With three runs required and less than five overs remaining, Cummins deflected Ollie Robinson towards third man, a diving Harry Brook fumbled and Australia had an incredible victory.
An Ashes series that is already living up to the hype will now head to London, with the second Test at Lord's on 28 June.
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