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Pat Cummins has been praised by skipper Tim Paine after a fine performance with England bowled out for 146 as Australia won the first Ashes Test.

After a slow start to his Ashes debut in England Pat Cummins demonstrated just why he is the No.1-ranked bowler in Test cricket in a day-five masterclass.

While Nathan Lyon got the plaudits for his six wickets that put England in a spin as they slumped to 146 all out, it was Cummins who set the tone with a fantastic spell of bowling on a fairly lifeless pitch.

Cummins made the early breakthrough at Edgbaston in the third over of the day when he had first-innings centurion Rory Burns caught off the glove by Lyon.

He then struck just after lunch when he clipped the top of the dangerous Jos Buttler's off stump to effectively end any hope of England holding out for a draw.

Jonny Bairstow then became Cummins' 100th Test victim in his only 21st appearance before he wrapped up the win by dismissing the dogged Chris Woakes for 38.

Skipper Tim Paine revealed Cummins was suffering from nerves when he bowled in the first innings but said he was delighted with the way he grew into the game.

"I think he said he just struggled in the first innings for a little bit of rhythm, which can happen," Paine said.

"He hasn't played a hell of a lot with the red ball in the last six months, so I think there was a little bit of rhythm.

"It was also a big series and something he wanted to have a real impact on so I think there was probably a little bit of nerves as well which was totally fine.

"I don't think he was on his own there, but I think he settled into the Test match beautifully and the way he set the tone for our team this morning was exactly what we want from Pat Cummins.

"Now he's settled into some rhythm I think he'll just get better and better."

Paine also said the controversial selection of Peter Siddle over Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood was vindicated after he produced a hard-working display with the ball.

The veteran Victorian took two wickets in the match, but was miserly with the ball with an economy rate of 1.92 an over from 26 first-innings overs.

He went for just over two an over in the second innings and Paine said he is tailor-made for English conditions.

"Siddle is someone we see as a handful in these conditions," he said.

"Even today on a day-five wicket he took no wickets but was still a handful. He asks questions all the time and with the Dukes ball in English conditions. He bowls a beautiful length over here."