01/08Result
1st Test, Australia tour of England at Birmingham, Aug 1-5 2019
Australia won by 251 runs
Player of the Match
Steven Smith
Steven SmithAustralia
01/08Result
1st Test, Australia tour of England at Birmingham, Aug 1-5 2019
Australia won by 251 runs
Player of the Match
Steven Smith
Steven SmithAustralia

6.37pm What a stunning opening salvo to the Ashes. Australia were dead and buried at 122 for 8 ... but Smith found resolute support from Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon, to climb back onto the offensive with an outstanding 144 from 219 balls. Australia's 284 is worth nearer 450 given their back story. And there will be about ten six minutes for their day to get even better against England's ropey top order ... don't go away!

Arch: "Gadzooks! Somebody fetch Jack Leach!!" Too right, this situation is made for him. Wonder if anyone else will have the honour of nightwatching?

80.4
W
Broad to Smith, OUT, bowled him! Broad has his five-for, richly deserved, but it's all about Smith... he was aiming for quick runs, trusting his eye, but this time, the late tail into the toes was too good for the honk across the line. Smith was sprinting off the pitch as soon as his timbers were rattled. He wants to get England out there pronto!

SPD Smith b Broad 144 (336m 219b 16x4 2x6) SR: 65.75

80.3
0
Broad to Smith, no run, decent yorker, comes out as a full toss, but swings in late towards the toes as Smith presses down the ground
80.2
0
Broad to Smith, no run, fuller length, wide outside off, Broad goes for the one-day wide yorker. Smith can't lay bat on it
80.1
6
Broad to Smith, SIX, swung lustily over cow corner! That is contemptuous! And I wonder if it might provoke Broad to call for the new nut ... nope, not yet ...

END OF OVER:
80 | 5 Runs | AUS: 278/9

  • Nathan Lyon12 (26b)
  • Steven Smith138 (215b)
  • Chris Woakes21-2-58-3
  • Stuart Broad22-4-80-4

Right... new ball? Nope, not yet...

79.6
0
Woakes to Lyon, no run, slower ball, very full. Poked to point
79.5
0
Woakes to Lyon, no run, back of a length, curling away from the stumps as Lyon curtain-rails inside the line

Ivor Vaz: "Australia down and out at 122-8. Now it's 273-9. 151 added by the last two wickets and counting still. O Mighty England, you have a chasm to cross. Let's not forget...your shaky top order."

79.4
4
Woakes to Lyon, FOUR, pounded through long-off! There are the benefits of getting right behind the line. Every now and again you'll be in the perfect position for a Kodak-moment drive!
79.3
0
Woakes to Lyon, no run, tight to off stump, back of a length, solid on the back foot
79.2
1
Woakes to Smith, 1 run, angled down to third man, that was an easy two, but Smith slipped when turning ... another opening for England
79.1
0
Woakes to Smith, no run, slower ball, and Smith is almost castled! A massive wind-up, but the ball hops obediently over the middle stump, like a Shetland Pony at a horse show

So the new ball is lurking in Tim Robinson's hands ... will England take it? It could travel against a weary attack

END OF OVER:
79 | 5 Runs | AUS: 273/9

  • Nathan Lyon8 (22b)
  • Steven Smith137 (213b)
  • Stuart Broad22-4-80-4
  • Chris Woakes20-2-53-3
78.6
0
Broad to Lyon, no run, leaning forward, pushed to cover off the front foot

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England 4th innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st19JJ RoyRJ Burns
2nd41JJ RoyJE Root
3rd20JL DenlyJE Root
4th5JE RootJC Buttler
5th0JC ButtlerBA Stokes
6th12JM BairstowBA Stokes
7th0MM AliBA Stokes
8th39MM AliCR Woakes
9th0SCJ BroadCR Woakes
10th10JM AndersonCR Woakes