Cricket: Milestone man Lyon spins Australia to thumping Ashes win – Gulf Digital News

Cricket: Milestone man Lyon spins Australia to thumping Ashes win – Gulf Digital News

Nathan Lyon captured a long-awaited 400th test victim and spun Australia to an emphatic nine-wicket victory in the first Ashes test on Saturday, with England losing eight wickets in a stunning morning collapse on day four at the Gabba.

The spin-bowling cult hero grabbed four wickets as England's batsmen crumbled by lunch, leaving 20 runs for Australia to mow down after the break.

Having dominated with bat, ball and in the field, Australia head to Adelaide for the day-night test with a surge of confidence under new captain Pat Cummins. 

England, meanwhile, will pore over their failings after another horror show in Brisbane. They have now lost seven of their past nine matches at the Gabba, a venue from which series defeats seem to spring.

Question marks hang over England's selections and tactics, and there seem few ready solutions for their batting woes before the pink ball test starts in Adelaide on Thursday.

Cummins, in his first match as skipper, said he thought someone was smiling over him.

"A lot of things did go right, probably from the toss," he added.

"I thought it was a really complete performance.

"I was really happy that just about everyone fired."

England resumed on 220 for two with the match still