agence france presse
London, July 17: Steven Smith (215, 346b, 25×4, 1×6) hit his maiden Test double hundred as Australia took control of their Ashes game against England here Friday at Lord’s. After declaring their innings at 566 for the loss of eight wickets, the visitors hit back to have the hosts reeling at 85 for the loss of four wickets at stumps.
England were reduced to 30 for four against some hostile Aussie pace bowling, but recovered partially due to an obdurate stand of 55 runs between skipper Alastair Cook (21 batting, 85b, 3×4) and Ben Stokes (38 batting, 5×4, 1×6). Mitchell Johnson was the pick of the Aussie bowlers with two wickets while Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood shared two wickets between them.
Earlier, resuming at their overnight score of 337 for one, Australia lost Chris Rogers (173, 300b, 28×4) and skipper Michael Clarke (seven) early on. Rogers was bowled off his pads by an incoming delivery from Stuart Broad (4/83) while Clarke was snapped up at mid-wicket by Gary Ballance off Mark Wood.
But nothing bothered Smith who batted sensibly even though wickets tumbled at the other end as the Aussies went in search of quick runs. He reached 200, whipping spinner Moeen Ali off his pads to the square-leg fence. He finally fell leg before to part-time spinner Joe Root trying to reverse sweep a delivery on the stumps.
Brief scores: Australia 566 for eight decl (Steve Smith 215, Stuart Broad 4/83); England 85 for four (Ben Stokes 38 batting, Mitchell Johnson 2/16).