Ashes Series: England v Australia - Second Test (Day 1) at Lord's

Australia fightback on opening day at Lord's

England 289-7 (England lead series 1-0)

Steve Smith took three late wickets in the evening session to claw Australia back into the Test Match. It was a good start for the tourists as they dismissed three of England's top order batsmen in the opening session. Alistair Cook was first to head back to the dressing room after being given out lbw by Shane Watson. Ryan Harris further improved the Australian mood when he dismissed both Root and Pietersen to leave England 28-3. However, Trott and Bell managed to guide England into the Lunch break at 80-3 after a solid fifty partnership. Trott completed his own half century before being caught by Khawaja soon after lunch. Bell and Bairstow provided 100 run partnership to put England back on track as Bell scored his second century of the series whilst Bairstow passed fifty. However, it was Steve Smith who provided an Australian fightback late in the day as he dismissed Bell, who again fell for 109 before taking the wickets of Bairstow and Prior to leave England 283-7. Australia managed to use two overs of the new ball before the close of play but England managed to hold on and finish the first day at Lord's on 289-7.

My Opinion:

A poor start from the English batsmen, losing three early wickets. Thankfully, Bell is in superb form and saved the innings with another century before being dismissed for a second time on 109. Bairstow provided a decent partnership alongside Bell which will bolster his confidence for the series. It was a shame that England lost their concentration towards the end of the day, losing a further three wickets. Australia will be the happier of both teams as they limited England to 289-7 and will be looking to finish the job off early tomorrow morning with the new ball. England will be looking for 350+ runs for a decent first innings score.



Match Guide: Key Moments:

England win the toss and elect to bat first.

Morning Session:

England first Innings:

11.33: 18-1, Cook 12 (14), 2 fours, lbw Watson.
11.42: 26-2, Root 6 (14), 1 four, lbw Harris.
11.46: 28-3, Pietersen 2 (4), caught Haddin, Harris.
12.37: 52-3, Trott 22*, Bell 10*.
13.16: Lunch, 80-3, 50 partnership between Trott 34* and Bell 23*.

Afternoon Session:

14.17: 105-3, 50 for Trott off 77 balls, Bell 27*.
14.31: 127-4, Trott 58 (87), 11 fours, caught Khawaja, Harris.
15.14: 153-4, Bell 44*, Bairstow 18*.
15.20: 159-4, 50 for Bell.
15.48: 179-4, 50 partnership between Bell 58* and Bairstow 28*.
15.55: Tea, 183-4, Bell 62*, Bairstow 28*.

Evening Session:

16.35: 203-4, Bell 67*, Bairstow 18*.
16.57: 229-4, 50 for Bairstow 51* and the 100 partnership with Bell 84*.
17.25: 250-4, Bell 93*, Bairstow 62*.
17.47: 267-4, 100 for Bell.
17.57: 271-5, Bell 109 (211), 16 fours, caught Clarke, Smith.
18.11: 274-6, Bairstow 67 (146), 7 fours, caught and bowled by Smith.
18.27: 283-7, Prior 6 (18), 1 four, caught Haddin, Smith.
18.43: 287-7, New ball taken.
18.48: Close of play, 289-7.

Player of the Day: Ian Bell for scoring a century.

Bowler of the Day: Ryan Harris for taking three important wickets.

Batsmen of the Day: Ian Bell for scoring 109 runs.

Disappointment of the Day: Seeing three late wickets fall at the end of the day.