Moment former England captain Alastair Cook is left crushed when Australia win first Ashes Test – as UK media lashes out after their team gets a ‘kick in the Bazballs’
- Former batsman Alastair Cook commented for the BBC
- Left shattered after Ashes’ epic triumph over Australia in the First Test
- Great England, 38, has retired but competitive streak continues
Footage of decorated England batsman Alastair Cook reacting at the end of the first Ashes Test has proven that while he may be retired, losing to Australia still cuts deep.
The video appeared as British newspapers spoke for the country’s cricket fans with some high-profile headlines, including one labeling the result as ‘a real kick in the Bazballs’.
Ex-Captain Cook, 38, commented for the BBC in Edgbaston, and footage has appeared on Twitter from Australia’s former tormentor looking crushed as Pat Cummins secured an all-ages win late on day five.
A camera focused on Cook’s face in the stand seconds after Harry Brook threw a ball into the boundary to give the tourists victory – and his look of crushing disappointment told the story.
You can hear Cook say ‘oh no’ and then shake his head as the reality of Australia’s gutsy victory becomes clear.
In emotional scenes, Cook looks on enviously as Cummins and Nathan Lyon embrace to toast a remarkable victory.
Decorated England batsman Alastair Cook may be retired, but losing an Ashes Test clearly still cuts deep
Cook was on commentary for the BBC in Edgbaston when he was caught on camera looking crushed as Pat Cummins (pictured) secured an age-old victory
Then, to rub salt in the wound, co-commentator Jim Maxwell expertly describes how Australia snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to take a 1-0 lead in the Ashes.
British newspapers did not hesitate when they described how England fell short when it mattered most against their arch-rivals.
Star Sport labeled the result a ‘kick in the Bazballs’, a reference to coach Brendon ‘Baz’ McCullum and his attacking form of cricket, which has revitalized the England team and produced some great results.
The Star Sport summed up the feelings of many England cricket fans with the headline on the back page after the team’s stunning defeat on Tuesday
The Guardian labeled the two-wicket defeat ‘Ashes agony’, while The Metro, led by skipper Ben Stokes, felt ‘victory slipped away’.
Man of the moment Cummins admitted the result could have gone either way.
“It was nerve-racking stuff,” he said after the game.
“When we got to maybe 16 to win and we needed two, I was pretty confident, but it felt like almost from the first session of day one, it was 50-50 all the way.”
The hosts had to lament several missed opportunities after Joe Root put down a difficult chance on his own bowling with Cummins on six and Stokes spilling an equally hard outfield catch, despite a spectacular try, as Lyon were up to one.
Stokes’ bold statement on day one also proved crucial.
The second Ashes Test at Lord’s begins on June 28.