Joe Root stole the headlines with a century on day one of The Ashes at Edgbaston.

Hitting a century off of 145 balls, Root got England off to a superb start before captain Ben Stokes surprised everyone by declaring early on 393-8.

Root scored an unbeaten 118 on day one of The Ashes

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Root scored an unbeaten 118 on day one of The AshesCredit: Getty
Root starred with the bat at Edgbaston

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Root starred with the bat at EdgbastonCredit: Getty
But England captain Stokes surprised everyone by declaring early

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But England captain Stokes surprised everyone by declaring earlyCredit: BBC

With Root on an unbeaten 118, fans at Edgbaston were expecting him to stay in the crease for the rest of the day.

Root, who scored his first century against Australia since 2015, is now just three centuries away from Alastair Cook in the most hundreds list.

Stokes then stunned the spectators after giving the visitors the remaining four overs.

Banking on an early wicket, Australia finished day one on 14-0 as David Warner and Usman Khawaja looked comfortable in fending off Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson.

Steve Smith blasted by fans for gesture to Harry Brook after fluke Ashes wicket
Bucket-hat wearing Ben Stokes shocked by how England started first Ashes Test

It leaves England in not a commanding position going into the second day of the First Test.

Still, Jonny Bairstow believes it was a strong start from the hosts, who entertained the crowd right from the start after Zak Crowley hit a four on the opening delivery.

Bairstow told Sky Sports: “I think overall it has been a good day.

“I think the intent the lads showed, Zak’s first shot of the day, it is quite the contrast to when we were down under last time.

Australia finished day one on 14-0 as Warner and Khawaja fended off the England attack

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Australia finished day one on 14-0 as Warner and Khawaja fended off the England attackCredit: AFP

“It has been a great day, the crowd has been amazing. The lads have been on good form and really enjoying it and that is what we spoke about before the game.

“If the ball has been there to hit, the lads have been there to hit it. The lads are out there with a smile on their face. 

“I think there are different pressures. When you are going in on the back of wins and people in some form.

“We have got a huge amount of trust in each other to go out and do their own jobs individually which collectively then comes together as a unit.”

In what is one of the most eagerly-awaited Ashes series in years, Australia are looking to win in the United Kingdom for the first time in 22 years.

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