Steve Smith and Chris Rogers shared a record-breaking stand on day one of the second Ashes Test, leaving Australia perfectly placed to level the series at Lord’s.
Smith and Rogers guided the tourists to a total of 1-337 at stumps on Thursday, heeding the lessons of a woeful 169-run loss in Cardiff.
Throwing away starts was one of Australia’s many batting problems in the first Test, which England won inside four days.
Smith and Rogers certainly couldn’t be accused of that in an unbeaten 259-run partnership.
It was Australia’s highest second-wicket stand at the venue.
Two more runs and the pair will overhaul Michael Slater and Mark Taylor and make it Australia’s highest partnership at the home of cricket.
Rogers finished 159 not out, already his highest Test score.
Smith was unbeaten on 129, extending his incredible run to six centuries from eight consecutive Tests.
It’s just the second Test at Lord’s where only one wicket has fallen on day one.
The hosts helped in that regard, offering Smith a chance when he was on 50 and Australia were 1-167.
Ian Bell fumbled a low catch at second slip, the closest England came to engineering a breakthrough after David Warner was out for 38 in the 15th over.
Rogers had a nervous moment on zero in the opening over, when an edge flew over the slips cordon and careered to the rope.
From that point on the Middlesex captain looked in complete control at his adopted home ground.
With the exception of Warner throwing his wicket away in the morning session, it’s hard to imagine a better bounceback from the tourists after losing the first Test.
It started with Michael Clarke winning the toss, when Alastair Cook conceded he was also keen to bat first.
By the time Cook threw the ball to fellow opener Adam Lyth, England’s skipper was fast running out of ideas as to how he’d conjure a wicket.
Tea was taken after Lyth’s one and only over, with Australia 1-191 and the big question being whether Rogers or Smith would reach three figures first.
Smith won the race, bringing up the milestone by pulling a short ball from Jimmy Anderson to the rope in the 68th over.
The 26-year-old had started quite cautiously against Moeen Ali, having fallen victim to the offspinner in the first Test.
Smith’s first 50 runs came from 111 deliveries, but his second 50 was at a run a ball.
Rogers looked unconvincing in the nervous 90s, but drove a ball past Anderson in the 70th over to register his fourth Ashes ton.
The carnage continued.
Australia scored 110 runs in the 24 overs after tea before Cook handed the second new ball to Mark Wood.
Ben Stokes found the edge that Bell dropped, while Stuart Broad occasionally beat the bat.
Apart from that there was little to feel optimistic about for England, who picked Ali despite the allrounder suffering a minor side strain in Cardiff.
JGK
Roar Guru
For what it's worth, no Australian has scored a double ton in England for over 20 years. In fact, only 3 have done it since the War.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Plus, Anderson and Broad are both bowlers who can be really dangerous when the conditions favour them, but neither of them has ever been good at battling through tough conditions. If you get on top of Anderson he drops his head and starts to bowl like a man who really doesn't want to be there. Hazlewood and Starc could be very dangerous on this pitch, and Lyon will be happy about Anderson roughing up a spot right where he wants to land the ball bowling to England's big line of left handers! (Seriously, how many unofficial warnings does Anderson get to ignore before he gets an official warning? It's not like he crept on there for one ball every couple of overs and the umpire therefore just let him know to be careful. For much of his first few spells the majority of balls he bowled over the wicket he was encroaching onto the danger area!)
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Their aim should be to grind them into that featherbed they've created.
JimmyB
Guest
Well Tim, I think we can expect at least another day of Oz batting before England make it look like a minefield.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Great performance by the Aussies with the batting adding some much needed discretion to their attacking play. Which is so needed in English conditions. It is hard to really judge where the game is at until both team bat because the pitch looks a 'Route 66' batting paradise. But, with runs on the board and the pressure it exerts plenty of such pitches have mysteriously become bowling friendly when the opposition bats Now over to England to see how strong their resolve is
Adsa
Guest
What a great start for the day, I went to bed with Oz on 1/ 100 ish and wake to see the boys have filled their buckets. Good stuff,GO AUSTRALIA!
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Well done lads, keep it going !