The visitors, set a 281 victory target, began a rain-delayed day on 107 for three but their chances looked remote when they were reduced to 227-8.
But Cummins, in partnership with Nathan Lyon, launched a fightback and sealed victory with an unbeaten 44.
In suffocating tension, he struck the final boundary to take his side over the line for a 1-0 lead in the series.
After a rain-delayed start, unflappable Australia opening batsman Usman Khawaja had kept his team on course for victory with a gritty innings to edge the visitors towards the target.
They reached 183-5 at the tea interval — requiring 98 more but a match full of momentum shifts swung England’s way when Khawaja was bowled by England skipper Ben Stokes for 65. When Joe Root held a caught and bowled chance to remove Alex Carey, England were closing in on victory. But Cummins sparked the fightback with huge sixes off Root’s off-spin as England delayed taking the new ball and was the calmest person in the stadium as he secured victory.
It was the second-highest successful victory chase at Edgbaston and made up for Australia’s heart-breaking loss to England on the same ground in 2005 when they fell three short of chasing down 282.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
