Ashes 2013 - 2nd Test, Day 1: Australia on top despite Bell's successive ton

Zee Media Bureau

London: It was yet another fascinating day of Test cricket after Ian Bell slammed his second successive ton and Steven Smith picked three late wickets to dent England’s resurrection on day one of the second Ashes Test being played at Lord’s. SCORECARD» | COMMENTARY» | DAY 1: AS IT HAPPENED» Alastair Cook won the toss and decided to bat first on a wicket that seemed perfect for batsmen. But the move backfired after Watson struck early in the innings when Alastair Cook was caught plumb in front of the wicket. Soon after the first wicket, Ryan Harris, who replaced Mitchell Starc for the second Test, dismissed Joe Root (6) and Kevin Pietersen (2) in quick successions as England found themselves wobbling at 28/3. But Australia’s wait for the fourth wicket was extended by Jonathan Trott and the in-form Ian Bell as both of them stitched a 99-run partnership for the fourth wicket before Ryan Harris picked his third wicket of the day, when Trott mistimed a short ball straight to Khawaja at deep midwicket. England needed another partnership to reach a decent total on Day 1 which was provided by Johnny Bairstow and Ian Bell as they added 144 runs for the fifth wicket. Bairstow was lucky on one occasion when he was bowled by Siddle on 21 off a no-ball. Ian Bell once again played a fantastic knock under pressure and he silenced all those who said he wouldn’t be able to play with the same confidence in the second Test as well. England seemed to be on top towards the end of the day, before Michael Clarke introduced Steven Smith into the attack. The right-arm leg-spinner dismissed Bell (109) in the first over he bowled and then went on to scalp the wickets of Bairstow (67) and Prior (6) that shifted the momentum Australia’s way. England were 289/7 at the end of the first day’s play.