Rogers, Smith ton gives early advantage to Aussies; Eng v Aus 2nd Test Day 1 Match Report

Rogers, Smith ton gives early advantage to Aussies; Eng v Aus 2nd Test Day 1 Match Report: Chris Rogers and Steve Smith both hit centuries as Australia piled on the runs on day one of the second Ashes Test against England at Lord’s. In a batting friendly wicket both the batters stood up to take Australia to a good position after their surprising first test defeat in Cardiff.

At stumps day one, Aussies were seating comfortably at 337 for one, with veteran Chris Rogers (158) and Steven Smith (129) forming an unbeaten 259 run stand for the third wicket.

England’s ploy of preparing a slow seamer at Lord’s has backfired spectacularly. With first Smith then Rogers reaching triple figures in the space of two overs in the third session against an England bowling attack that had been run ragged on an unhelpful Lord’s pitch.

Batting first, Aussie got off to a decent start with pitch playing on the slower side. Openers David Warner and Chris Rogers started of carefully with the duo adding 78 for the first wicket. David Warner was undone by a flighted delivery from Moeen Ali with the New South Wales dasher holding out to James Anderson while trying to hit it over long-off for 38.

Chris Rogers on the other hand looked at complete ease as the veteran continues his good run in the longer format reaching his half century in quick time. Young Steven Smith who didn’t had a good first game, played with lot more positivity exactly the way he’s known for. Rotating strike at will and adding odd boundary at regular interval. Soon Smith also noted up his another half-century in test cricket.

Smith after reaching his fifty, slowed down and struggle to get away against the English bowlers. The ODI skipper was lucky with Ian Bell dropping a crucial catch at second slip off Ben Stokes. Though after a struggling period, Smith rose up to score some eye-catching stokes specially against offie Moeen Ali. Soon Smith got to his third Ashes ton and 10th overall in 30 games.

Chris Rogers who had got seven fifties in eight innings before today finally reached the three figure mark and celebrated in uncharacteristic fashion with a loud yell and a fist pump. After the century the veteran didn’t lose his focus to carry his good run with the bat.

Both the veteran and youngster played with lot more intensity after notching their respective hundreds and played some brilliant cricketing shots to take Australia past the 300 mark. Rogers was the main reason behind the damage as the left-hander notched up his maiden 150 run mark in test cricket.

With the ball not swinging , seaming or did anything off the placid Lord’s pitch and Australia made merry to take away the advantage on day one of the second Ashes Test.The Aussie duo made the most of the good batting conditions in emphatic style.

Moeen Ali was the lone wicket taker for the host as the spinner held back Warner to claim his only scalp. Anderson and Wood bowled well in pieces without any wicket under their column.

BRIEF SCORES: Australia 337 for 1 in 90 overs (Chris Rogers 158*, Steven Smith 128*)