Postpublished at 18:19 British Summer Time 1 August 2019
Daniel Norcross
BBC Test Match Special
Virat Kohli may be a better batsman to watch but I'd say Steve Smith is the world's premier Test batsman.
Summary
Smith hits superb 144 on Test return
First Test since ball-tampering scandal
Aus recover from 122-8 to 284 all out
Smith puts on 88 with Siddle (44)
Smith adds 74 with last man Lyon (12*)
Broad 5-86, Woakes 3-58
Injured Anderson has scan on calf
First Test of five; Australia won toss
Postpublished at 18:19 British Summer Time 1 August 2019
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 18:19 British Summer Time 1 August 2019
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Maddy Raman: How about bowling to get both batsmen out rather than letting one get a free ride. Talk about losing the Ashes on day 1, very poor cricket.
Nick Gee: As much as this is brilliant by Steve Smith, Joe Root’s captaincy is awful. England look lost at sea already and STOP GIVING HIM EASY SINGLES AT THE END OF THE OVER!
Image source, PA MediaAus 267-9published at 77 overs
Nathan Lyon pours a bucket of salt into England's wound.
The number 11 punches down the ground, just beyond Stuart Broad's grasp, and the ball runs away for four.
Aus 263-9published at 76.5 overs
Nathan Lyon defends on the off-stump.
Aus 263-9published at 76.4 overs
Wide, far too wide and Nathan Lyon leaves it alone.
Aus 263-9published at 76.3 overs
Steve Smith guides to third man and wants two but there is only one on offer.
Stuart Broad will have up to three balls at Nathan Lyon.
Getting him out would be advisable.
Aus 262-9published at 76.1 overs
Steve Smith swerves Stuart Broad round the corner for four.
This is actually better one-day batting than he managed at the World Cup.
Postpublished at 18:14 British Summer Time 1 August 2019
Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match SpecialEngland's shoulders are drooping. They are scratching their heads.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 18:14 British Summer Time 1 August 2019
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Tony Greaves: Poor, tired bowling now from England.
Mark Poole: How many times do we seen England do this. Bowl so well for 2 sessions then look clueless. Yes the ball is old but the tactics haven’t been great.
How's stat?!published at 18:14 British Summer Time 1 August 2019
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End of X postAus 258-9published at 76 overs
Smith 126, Lyon 4
Smith picks it up and flicks it round the corner for a single to keep the strike.
Has any other player in the modern game built up such an aura that teams start to try funky ways of getting them out so early?
I swear England started removing slips as soon as Smith got to double figures.
Postpublished at 18:10 British Summer Time 1 August 2019
Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match SpecialSteve Smith has wrestled the momentum back from a rampant England.
Aus 257-9published at 75.4 overs
Steve Smith now low-arm pulls over mid-wicket for four more!
He doesn't even play these shots in one-day cricket. He's really hurting England now.
Postpublished at 18:09 British Summer Time 1 August 2019
Daniel Norcross
BBC Test Match SpecialI don't think there are enough superlatives to describe Steve Smith.
Image source, Getty ImagesAus 253-9published at 75.3 overs
Steve Smith miscues it but just about loops the ball over the leaping Joe Root at mid-on. That's four and the 250 up for Australia.
Postpublished at 18:07 British Summer Time 1 August 2019
Chris Woakes returns to the fray...
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 18:07 British Summer Time 1 August 2019
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Chris Whiting: Steve Smith is a great player but he is also a cheat. That stain should not go away.
Postpublished at 18:05 British Summer Time 1 August 2019
Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match SpecialOn this pitch, on the first day of the Ashes, with his side reeling, to score one the best hundreds, you have got to take your hat off to him. It has been a phenomenal innings.
Aus 248-9published at 75 overs
Smith 117, Lyon 4
Steve Smith inside edges just past his stumps for four. That was lucky.
No luck with this though as next up he whacks Stuart Broad back over his head for four.
Not outpublished at 18:04 British Summer Time 1 August 2019
Relatively miles down leg. It pretty much hit him outside the line of leg stump! Bad, bad review. England burn through their last.
Image source, PA Media