England batsman Rory Burns was pleased to successfully weather an extended stay on 99, before graduating to a century on day two of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

Burns welcomed a maiden ton in international cricket, as England moved to 267-4 in reply to Australia’s 284 all out.

The steely right-hander was on 99 for nine deliveries prior to reaching three figures.

‘I have done that before in county cricket, being on 99 for longer, so do have experience to draw upon. It was a wonderful experience and hopefully I am not done yet,’ he said.

‘My general thought when I was on 99 – and Nathan Lyon started bowling handy stuff – was trying to talk myself out of sweeping him.

‘I was just trying to stay level and almost wait for the ball that was in my area just to tickle somewhere. To get over the line there with a quick dash, that will be a pretty special memory.

‘The night before I probably played my first ball a few times and probably celebrated a century a few times. To get over the line is a wonderful feeling.’

Burns moved to 125 not out and will resume alongside all-rounder Ben Stokes on Saturday.

Photo: Getty Images