England Closes on 289-7 as Second Ashes Cricket Test Begins
England closed at 289-7 on the first day of its second Ashes Test with Australia after losing three wickets within the first six overs of play at Lord’s in London, where Queen Elizabeth II was among the spectators.
Ian Bell led the home team’s recovery with a second century of the cricket series before falling to Steven Smith for 109, following a 144-run stand with Jonny Bairstow. Bairstow got 67 until he was caught and bowled by Smith, who claimed 3-18 as Australia finished strongly.
Cricketer Ian Bell of England celebrates after scoring a century during the first day of the second cricket Test match in the Ashes series between England and Australia, in north London, on July 18, 2013.
Cricketer Ian Bell of England celebrates after scoring a century during the first day of the second cricket Test match in the Ashes series between England and Australia, in north London, on July 18, 2013. Photographer: Ian Kington/AFP via Getty Images
England was reduced to 28-3 as Australia celebrated three wickets between the fifth and sixth overs. Captain Alistair Cook was the first to go for 12, soon joined by Joe Root (6) and Kevin Pietersen (2).
Jonathan Trott scored 58 and shared 99 runs with Bell until he became seamer Ryan Harris’s third victim. Harris was added to the Australian team this morning in place of Mitchell Starc, who played in the 14-run loss to England in the first Test. Usman Khawaja, who took the catch to dismiss Trott, also was added, replacing middle-order batsman Ed Cowen.
Australia ended the day with a flurry of wickets in the final hour through the leg spin of the all-rounder Smith. First, Bell edged to Michael Clarke at slip with the score at 271-4. He added the wickets of Bairstow and Prior soon after with England adding just 12 more runs. Smith had taken just four wickets previously in his Test career.
Cook won the toss and elected to bat. He fell leg before wicket to give Shane Watson his only wicket of the game.
