Ashes: Brit Press goes mild on Aus, praise home team after thriller

Breaking its tradition of criticising the Australian team, the British Press has reacted to England's win in the first Ashes Test in a much milder language, while only praising the home team, James Anderson in particular, for the close win.

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The intense sporting rivalry between the two nations has, for decades, been responsible for screaming headlines and acerbic articles. On Monday morning, Australians woke to the news of the heartbreaking defeat, with the usual sting in language largely missing from the front pages of newspapers, with The Sun even going on to offer a word of condolence to the Australians.

The relief felt by Britons after the close win, however, was evident in most newspapers.

They lavished praise on matchwinner James Anderson, whose four-wicket haul brought his total for the match to 10.

The Daily Telegraph and Guardian both carried a photograph of England players celebrating the winning moment on the front page.

‘Howzat for starters?’ the Guardian's headline said.

In reference to Brad Haddin’s controversial dismissal, the headline of the Daily Mail read ‘We've nicked it’.

The Telegraph's Simon Hughes celebrated England's swing-king Anderson.

"Michael Holding, the West Indies fast bowler...has a good yardstick for judging bowlers," he wrote.

"Only when one has taken at least four wickets-per-Test over a long period of time, can they be considered 'great'."

"With his 10 wickets, Jimmy Anderson nudged closer to that milestone. He is on the verge of greatness," wrote Hughes.

The Times' Simon Barnes called Anderson's four-wicket burst on Sunday a 'stupendous effort'.

"Anderson will be the most successful bowler in England's history. And as good as any that bowled," he wrote.

The Guardian's showed consolation for the Aussies despite the 14-run defeat.

"No glory for defeated Australia in first Ashes Test but plenty of hope," he said.

"The determined display from Michael Clarke's men suggests sum will be much greater than their parts.

"It is not generally part of an Australian's psyche to take consolation from a 'good' defeat," he added. "But if ever this was justified it was at the end of this Test."