England vs. Australia, 2nd Ashes Test, Day 1: Highlights, Scorecard and Report

Australia took complete control of the second Ashes Test with England, as bat dominated ball on the first day at Lord’s.

Chris Rogers and Steve Smith racked up unbeaten centuries to take the tourists to 337 for one at stumps,  as England toiled on a benign surface that the bowlers got zero assistance from.

Batsman	How Out	Runs	Balls
CJL Rogers	not out	158	282
DA Warner	c Anderson b Ali	38	42
SPD Smith	not out	129	217
Extras	(b 4, lb 6, w 1, nb 1)	12
Total	(1 wicket; 90 overs)	337
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
JM Anderson	18	3	64	0
SCJ Broad	16	3	47	0
MA Wood	16	3	56	0
MM Ali	22	3	82	1
BA Stokes	13	0	55	0
JE Root	4	0	23	0
A Lyth	1	1	0	0

Australia skipper Michael Clarke had no hesitation in electing to bat after winning the toss, and his openers took to their task with relish.

The usually aggressive David Warner was extremely watchful, leaving the ball outside off stump, while Rogers took the attack to England. He punished anything that was off line, and the approach prompted the home side into bowling changes.

It was the switch to the spin of Moeen Ali that brought the first wicket. It proved to be the only wicket of the day. 

Australia have been open in their determination to hit Moeen out of the attack, and Warner, who had just started to open his shoulders, smacked the first two balls of the spell to the boundary.

Rather than settling for eight off the over, Warner continued the assault—and it cost him his wicket. He failed to get to the pitch of the ball and lofted it high in the air to James Anderson at long off.

"

THAT IS OUT - Warner (38) chooses brawn over brain and pays the price as Anderson takes the catch running back off Ali at mid off 78-1

— Dean Wilson (@CricketMirror) July 16, 2015"

Smith, the world’s No. 2 batsman, joined Rogers at the crease, and they took Australia to lunch in a strong position at 104 for one.

On what looked a flat, docile deck, Smith and Rogers continued to accumulate after the lunch interval.

Both moved past 50, with Smith looking at ease as England skipper Alastair Cook tossed the ball to the part-time spin of Joe Root after a mere 37 overs.

"

I'm naming my first son after Steve Smith. 'Sublime Footwork to Spinners Jackson' is an unwieldy name but I think it still works. #Ashes

— Russell Jackson (@rustyjacko) July 16, 2015"

There were few chances offered up by Australia, although Ian Bell shelled Smith at second slip off Ben Stokes.

With chances few and far between and the pitch offering little, England resorted to posting a third man and even tossed the ball to Adam Lyth to bowl his first over in Test cricket—as Australia reached tea at 191 for one.

Australia’s batsmen were guilty of not converting starts in the first Test in Cardiff, but they piled on the agony after tea, and both Rogers and Smith moved to three figures within a couple of overs of each other.

"

Standing ovation for Steven Smith here at @HomeOfCricket - first centurion of the match... #ENGvAUS #MyAshesSummer pic.twitter.com/ob2JTA3q3X

— David Garrido (@SkySportsDavid) July 16, 2015"

After passing three figures, Rogers and Smith upped the ante and, untroubled by the second new ball, moved Australia to 337 for one at stumps with an unbroken partnership of 259.

With the weather set to be fair for the next few days, Australia will look to bat long into Day 2 before setting out on the task of taking 20 England wickets to level the series.