Ashes Verdict - Pelsall Cricket Club

England completed an impressive First Test win in Cardiff earlier today (Saturday) after dismissing Australia for 242 and winning by a massive 169 runs to go 1-0 up in the five-match series.

Stuart Broad and Moen Ali took three wickets each and were backed up with contributions from seamer Mark Wood and man of the match Joe Root who took the final catch to complete England's emphatic victory.

• Pelsall Cricket Club was established in 1885.

• The club play their homes at the Pelsall Cricket and Sports Club on Walsall Road, Pelsall.

• The club were crowned Staffordshire Cricket champions last year and are currently holding their own in the third division of the Birmingham and District Cricket Premier League.

• This season has seen Pelsall reach the last 16 stage of the National Village Cup for the first time in the club’s history.

The sides will resume battle on Thursday when the Second Test gets underway at Lords.

Pennall, who has been captain of Pelsall for the past four years, said it was the perfect start for England under new head coach Trevor Bayliss but said his assistant Farbrace deserves a lot of praise for the side's transformation in recent months after leading them following a dismal World Cup campaign which led to the sacking of previous coach Peter Moores.

Bayliss officially took over as coach prior to the Ashes series but Farbrace is still playing a key part in the coaching set up.

Pennall said: "Farbrace deserves a lot of credit for the way he's got the team playing.

"I know Bayliss has come in over the past week or so but Farbrace has got them into a new mentality from the one day matches (against New Zealand) and done a lot of work behind the scenes.

"The whole team must be buzzing. What's impressed me is how they have taken the game to Australia even when they lost three early wickets on the opening day.

"I think Root and Balance set the game up well helping them get to 400 and then the bowlers bowled in great areas throughout."

The 32-year-old, who is born and bred in the village near Walsall, said the win will give England great confidence but warned the Australians will be looking for quick revenge.

"They've (Australia) probably come across a bit cocky and have been knocked down a peg so they will come back hard.

"They have done well in Lords in the past and could swap a couple of players possibly with Marsh coming in for Watson and Starc if he is injured will be replaced by (Peter) Siddle who I'm surprised was not picked in the first place because he usually does well against England.

"It wouldn't surprise me if it goes 1-1 with three to play. I think it will be a tight series."

Ashes Verdict returns on Thursday.

Anyone who would like to get involved in the Ashes Verdict should email nigel.slater@expressandstar.co.uk