No need to panic but England have big decisions to make for Lord’s | Ali Martin

Losing the first Ashes Test in such a manner will highlight the failings even though a lot went right

So, where do England go from here? After coming up short in a teeming, undulating first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, one that left combatants and spectators drained but richer for it, the smart-alec answer here is Lord’s.

There are five full days off first, however, with England not due to resume training until Monday; time to reflect on the one that got away, rest some weary legs and pop Moeen Ali’s sore spinning finger in a pot of piddle. Australia were rightly buzzing after their two-wicket heist, renditions of True Blue (John Williams, not Madonna) and Under the Southern Cross I Stand echoing late into the night. But on the other side of the dressing room wall, the hosts were not too blue in defeat.

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