Australia had a lot to prove in the second Test at Lord’s, and they got the chance to seize on it after Michael Clarke won the toss and chose to bat.
A couple of changes were made for the second Test, with Shane Watson being dropped for Mitch Marsh, and Peter Nevill replacing Brad Haddin, who withdrew from the match for personal reasons.
A flat track meant the top order had to perform in the first innings, or face another embarrassing result to add to the woes of Cardiff.
More Ashes:
» Rogers and Smith lay England flat
» Day 1 highlights and scores
» Chris Rogers does it his way
» Ashes news and opinion
In a much more impressive morning, Chris Rogers and David Warner set the tone early, bringing up the first 50 in 12 overs.
Three overs later, Moeen Ali made the breakthrough yet again, with Warner going after one too many mistimed shots, getting caught at long-off for 38.
Steve Smith and Rogers continued to progress steadily through to lunch, ending the session at 1/104.
The middle session was slower-paced, but again successful for Australia. In the early parts it was slow going, with Smith and Rogers looking to set themselves again.
They were definitely looking to play the long game, putting on 87 in the session for no wicket loss. Smith was also looking like his old self, grinding out his first half-century of the series.
England had no answer to the Australian batsmen, and a few dropped catches may prove just as crucial as Root being dropped on zero in Cardiff.
Australia went to tea at 1-191.
Rogers looked tense on 87, a few tense overs providing the commentators a chance to remind everyone about the superstition surrounding 87 here in Australia, before finally grabbing a single and moving off the dreaded digit.
A runout chance almost deprived Rogers yet another century while he was on 97, when Smith pushed a quick single taking the strike for the next over on 98.
The very next ball clinched it for Smith, a forward pull shot flying down to the boundary, sealing his first century at Lord’s. A couple of overs later Rogers made his breakthrough, scoring his first century in nine international Test innings.
Smith and Rogers continued to grind away, bringing up their 200-run partnership in the 74th over. They continued to move strongly towards the end of play, with Rogers moving past 150 in the 87th over.
England’s day was pretty much summed up when Rogers edged the ball in the last over of the day, falling just short of the slips cordon, finishing a very strong first day of play on 1-337.
Sandy
Guest
A few more than Cook then, Jimmy
CW
Guest
When you are dropped. Should that not be the end. Apparently not when it comes to CA golden boy Watto. Lehmann says he is still a chance to play in this series and will play the next tour game. This is not the correct signal to be sending young Mitch Marsh. This, in my view, is putting undue pressure on Marsh to perform. Marsh and Lehmann should be telling Watto that he is no longer good enough. It is time to go and let Mitch carve out his own career. They appear not to have the bottle to terminate Watson for good. He is being kept dangling for sentimental reasons. Puzzling.
CW
Guest
Having that deep point sweeper worked as a defensive ploy by Cook. Reckon Smith smacked about four or five in the backward point region in the last session. For all to be stopped for only a single or two. Gotta admire Smith's mental stamina to survive the defensive bowling line just wide of his off stump used by all England bowlers. Smithy must have let at least 40 balls go. There are other reasons, besides his inexhaustible capacity to amass runs, as to why he is the world's best batsman.
matth
Guest
Well played JimmyB
I know cricket
Guest
Dont be so defeatist! Its so un-Australian Aus will win by innings and 97 runs Shall I explain how?\ Would you like to know more? Hint: Clarke out very cheaply (12 runs) and will retire after this Test
Sideline Comm.
Guest
I think so, yeah. Smith has come out and said he thought England strayed from Bayliss' aggressive plan last night with a defensive deep-point sweeping the boundary. He would know too, having played under him. If Bayliss can reassert himself and the game plan he's created, I think England have a chance. But they can't go out there being defensive and tentative, because they'll be picked apart. However, it mostly comes down to this pitch which is not great, and looks to become even batter for batting over the next couple of days. I've said it before, but I fear a draw coming.
Sandy
Guest
Do you...mmm, interesting, Bayliss is the key then, iyo.
Sideline Comm.
Guest
This is the first real test for Bayliss I think. He has to assert his leadership and make sure the team follows his instructions even when under pressure. If he does, and makes sure they keep confident, I think England can salvage this still.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Anderson in particular has always seemed like the sort of player who's head really drops if things aren't going his way and he becomes very ordinary. Pretty much, if you can nullify him for a while he can lose it and turn into a bit of a trundler.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
I am glad he isn't playing, if he scored runs he would have another license to fail for the rest of the year. The selectors had to take a leap at some time. He isn't getting younger.
Drewbie
Guest
It's going to be interesting how this "new England team" responds. Imo, they may have a new coach however, old habits are hard to break, I feel the Aussies will totally demoralise them in this test match.
JimmyB
Guest
Between 30 and 40 I'd say. ;)
Howzat
Guest
What about poor old Watto - gee think of the runs he would have made on a pitch like that ;)