Batsman Steven Smith traded success with seamer Stuart Broad, as Australia sneaked control on day one of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Thursday.
Broad, alongside fellow seamers Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes, reduced Australia to a precarious 122-8 after captain Tim Paine had opted to bat first. The Aussies eventually recovered to 284 all out.
Veteran Broad, who recently surpassed Proteas pace ace Dale Steyn as Test cricket’s seventh-highest wicket-taker, carried a heavy workload in the absence of the injured James Anderson.
Anderson bowled just four overs before leaving the field for the rest of the day. Broad ended with five wickets and now has 100 against Australia.
His performance was arguably overshadowed by Smith’s return to Test cricket, though. The former captain hadn’t played the longest format of the international game for almost a year prior to Thursday’s comeback, after serving a suspension for ball-tampering during last year’s tour of South Africa.
The fidgety right-hander shepherded tail-enders Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon through 88- and 74-run partnerships for the ninth and 10th wicket, respectively.
The century marked his 24th in Test cricket – the same number as West Indian Sir Vivian Richard and one more than current Australian coach Justin Langer. Smith was particularly emotional in celebrating the milestone’s arrival and proved increasingly combative thereafter.
Openers Jason Roy and Rory Burns’ reply was brief, as England moved to 10 without loss inside the day’s closing two overs. The hosts will resume with a 274-run deficit on Friday.
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