Xtra Time Web Desk: Australia took control of the second men’s Ashes Test against England on day one at Lord’s, thanks to a strong batting performance led by Steve Smith’s unbeaten 85. After being put in to bat, the Australian openers, David Warner and Usman Khawaja, started well with a 73-run partnership before Khawaja was bowled by Josh Tongue in the final ball of the morning session.
Warner fell to Tongue as well, scoring 66 runs. Smith and Marnus Labuschagne then built a solid third-wicket stand of 102, with Labuschagne falling three runs short of his half-century to Ollie Robinson after tea. Travis Head joined Smith and plundered 77 off just 73 balls in a fourth-wicket partnership of 118 before being dismissed by Joe Root. Smith remained unbeaten as Australia ended the day on 339-5.
England missed early chances, with Root dropping Khawaja in the slips and Ollie Pope dropping Warner. The play was briefly interrupted by protesters on the pitch and a rain shower. Tongue took important wickets, dismissing Khawaja and Warner. Smith and Labuschagne overcame some challenges and accelerated the scoring rate.
Head and Smith continued the momentum, but Root took two quick wickets, including Head’s stumping. However, Smith and Alex Carey guided Australia safely to the end of the day. England also faced the setback of Pope leaving the field due to a shoulder injury.