Ashes, 2nd Test: Smith unbeaten, Australia set big score on day one

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London . Australia made a strong start to the second Ashes Test, ending the first day’s play against hosts England at Lord’s here on Wednesday at 339 for five.

David Warner (66), Travis Head (77) and Steve Smith (85*) scored half-centuries on the first day. Australia contained England’s seam attack to a great extent. Ben Stokes has been included in the team.

With the sky overcast, England’s bowling looked dwarfed by the Australian top-order.

Joe Root’s two wickets in one over gave England some hope of late, but the day belonged to Australia. Smith passed 9000 Test runs, and Nathan Lyon became only the sixth player to have played 100 consecutive Test matches.

England won the toss and decided to bowl first due to cloudy conditions and green on the pitch.

But Australia’s openers did well. 73 runs were added before lunch and the wicket of Usman Khawaja fell in the last over before lunch.

When Steve Smith came to the crease with Marnus Labuschagne, the pair forced England to work hard throughout the afternoon session. Both took loose balls to the boundary.

Smith batted brilliantly but Travis Head was quick, bringing up a quick half-century.

Head looked to be on his way to a century, but when he was on 77, he was stumped by Jonny Bairstow off Joe Root.

Root raised England’s hopes by taking two wickets in an over, Cameron Green was dismissed without opening the account.

Smith completed 9000 Test runs during his innings at Lord’s, taking 174 innings – the fastest by an Australian to reach the milestone. Only Kumar Sangakkara has reached this figure in the fewest innings in the history of the game.(IANS)

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