Ashes 2017: Smith leads Aussie fight-back as England score 302 runs in first innings

Smith’s half century builds Australia’s resistance on Day 2 |Image: ICC
Smith’s half-century builds Australia’s resistance on Day 2 |Image: ICC

Internet Desk: Half century from Captain Steve Smith helped Australia fight-back on the second day of the first Ashes test match against England at the Gabba. England after being bundled out for 302 runs in the first innings put up an inspiring bowling performance led by James Anderson to see the hosts back to the walls. But an undefeated 89 runs partnership for the fifth wicket between Shaun Marsh (44) and Steve Smith (64) saw the hosts score 165/4 at stumps on Day 2. The Aussie captain has weathered the storm to remain unbeaten on 64 runs knock that included six hits to the fence.

Earlier, the tourists after losing their last six wickets for 56 runs before lunch had the Australians on the ropes with three batsmen out in the middle session, including the prized scalp of Warner. At tea, Australia was 76 for three off 24 overs, with skipper Steve Smith on 19 and Peter Handscomb on 14.

England got the big wicket of David Warner as the opener attempted to pull newcomer Jake Ball through the leg-side only to find Dawid Malan at short mid-wicket for 26 off 43 balls.That left the Australians on a shaky 59 for three after the dismissals of debutant opener Cameron Bancroft and the misfiring Usman Khawaja.

Bancroft lasted 19 balls in his first Test before he edged a Stuart Broad lifter outside off-stump for five in the fourth over. Bancroft forced his way into the Test side at the expense of Matthew Renshaw on the weight of prolific scores in the Sheffield Shield for Western Australia, including an unbeaten 228. Khawaja was deceived by Moeen Ali’s spin playing forward and fell leg before wicket for 11, leaving the Australians 30 for two in the 11th over.

England tumbled from 246 for four to be all out with fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins each taking three wickets and spinner Nathan Lyon two. Starc finished with bowling figures of three for 77, Cummins took three for 85 and Lyon two for 78.