Smith’s double puts Australia in the driver’s seat as hosts struggle

Australia declared at 566-8 after playing just one over of the evening session, giving the tourists’ bowlers a chance to attack England for about two hours.

Smith was eventually dismissed half an hour before tea for 215, attempting a reverse sweep against part-time spinner Joe Root. He missed the ball and was leg before wicket, a decision confirmed after review.

Australia’s imposing innings was built on a 284-run partnership between Smith and opener Chris Rogers, who hit 173. Smith reached a career-best when he passed 199. He started his career as a leg-spinning all rounder but has become one of the world’s best batsmen. He has 10 centuries in his last 30 tests.

Australia resumed the day on 337-1 and Rogers was hit on the head by a James Anderson bouncer from the first ball of the day, and needed treatment for a graze. Rogers missed two games in Australia’s recent tour of the West Indies after suffering a concussion when he was hit on the head in the nets.

Rogers added 25 more runs to his overnight score taking him to 173 when he was bowled by Stuart Broad’s in-swinging delivery that found an inside edge and glanced his pad before hitting the stumps.

Rogers’ and Smith’s partnership of 284 from 485 balls was a second-wicket record for Australia at Lord’s.

England battled hard, taking six wickets, but the damage was done on the first day on a placid Lord’s pitch.

The hosts meanwhile have gotten off to a shaky start which sees them struggling at 59 runs at the loss of 4 wickets after the end of the 17th over after losing Adam Lyth, Gary Balance and Ian Bell in the span of the first 10 overs with Joe Root following suit. Skipper Cook and Ben Stokes are presently at the crease trying to mount a comeback.