Published: Jul 16, 2015, 10:44 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 16, 2015, 11:30 PM (IST)
A magnificent stand of 259 runs between Chris Rogers and Steven Smith has put Australia right on top of England at the end of Day One of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s, London. Both the batsmen brought up their respective tons to ensure Australia never let slip of the momentum throughout the day. Australia at the stumps on Day One are 337 for the loss of just the one wicket. Rogers is unbeaten on 158 scoring his fifth Test ton while Smith is batting well on 129 after scoring his tenth Test ton. Live cricket updates: England vs Australia, 2nd Test at Lord’s, Day 1
David Warner had given Australia a perfect start with a quick 38. Both him and Rogers struggled to adapt to the conditions but settled down. Alastair Cook in need of wicket, turned to Moeen Ali and that move worked wonders for England as despite getting hit for a couple of boundaries in the over, Ali had Warner caught at wide long off by James Anderson.
Smith coming in, took his time to get going, he did not quite have a good first Test at Cardiff but Rogers was in fine touch and that helped Smith settle down. England toiled hard in the conditions as they got little help from the deck. Smith gave England a chance when he edged a fuller one from Ben Stokes but for Ian Bell to drop the chance at second slip. Live cricket scorecard: England vs Australia, 2nd Test at Lord’s
Smith did not look back from that moment of time and kept getting the gaps and started to open up. He raced away to his tenth Test ton and celebrated it deservingley having worked so hard for it. Rogers too did not back out and brought up his fifth Test ton to put Australia in command at the end of the first day at the score of337 for one after 90 overs.
Australia will want these two to carry on batting tomorrow and the rest of the batting line-up to pile up the runs to put England under severe pressure as they will need runs on this slowish deck. Read: Rogers, Smith put Australia on top against England at Tea on Day 1 2nd Ashes Test at Lord’s
Australia then upped the ante towards the end of play getting the boundaries as the England bowlers began to tire. Things are looking ominous for England, they will have to strike early tomorrow morning or the Australians might just bat them out of the Test. Anderson was the best bowler for England and he got little support from the rest of the bowlers. Mark Wood though bowled well with the second new ball but did not get any reward for his hard work.
Earlier in the day, Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. Australia made a couple of changes, bringing in Mitchell Marsh and Peter Nevill for Shane Watson and Brad Haddin. England went into the game unchanged from the previous Test. Read: Brad Haddin’s daughter hospitalised
Brief Scores:
Australia 337 for 1 (Chris Rogers 158*, Steven Smith 129*; Moeen Ali 1 for 82) vs England.
(Nikhil Popat is a cricket lover and a PotterHead. He can be followed on Twitter @CricCrazyNIKS)
