The Ashes: 1st Test Day 1 Review: Steve Smith emerges as vigilante to rescue the Aussies

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Steve Smith
Image Courtesy: Sky Sports

It was an eventful return back to test cricket for Steve Smith who notched up his 24th test hundred to rescue Australia out of a tough predicament. The Aussies were bundled out for 284 in the first innings with England holding onto 10-0 at the end of Day 1.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Tim Paine decided to exclude World Cup hero Mitchell Starc along with Josh Hazlewood while Root decided not to hand Jofra Archer his debut as of yet.

Image Courtesy: Sky Sports

The innings began on a memorable note as the opening pair of David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were handed a hostile reception. It did not take Stuart Broad to get a breakthrough. Along with Woakes, the lanky pacer wrecked through the batting order who fell without any resistance.

Reeling at 122-8, Steve Smith managed to join forces with the tail-order who stood by as the former captain weaved magic at the other end. Peter Siddle was the notable scorer at the end with a crucial 48.

England lost James Anderson early due to injury who only managed to bowl 4 overs. The new opening pair of Jason Roy and Rory Burns have a huge task at hand as they have to face the pace battery of James Pattinson, Pat Cummins and Peter Siddle with 274 runs still to get in order to avoid a trail.

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