England in trouble after Smith double
LONDON: Steven Smith’s maiden Test double century ensured Australia maintained their grip on the second Test against England at Lord’s on Friday.
Smith’s 215, the seventh highest individual Test score at Lord’s, was the cornerstone of Australia’s first innings total of 566 for eight declared that also featured opener Chris Rogers’s Test-best 173.
Yet Stuart Broad (four for 83 in 27 overs) led something of an England fightback before parttime spinner Joe Root took two cheap wickets, including that of Smith.
Australia captain Michael Clarke, looking to lead his side to a first Ashes series win in Britain in 14 years, declared in the first over after tea on the second day when Mitchell Johnson holed out off Broad.
That left England, who needed 367 just to avoid the follow-on, with a tricky 29 overs to get through in the remainder of Friday’s play.
Australia resumed on a commanding 337 for one.
Rogers was then 158 not out and Smith, dropped in the slips on 50 by Ian Bell on Thursday, unbeaten on 129.
Friday’s first ball produced drama and concern in equal measure when Rogers was struck on the side of the helmet as he turned his head away from a James Anderson delivery.
Rogers, who missed Australia’s preceding Test series win in the Caribbean after suffering concussion while batting in the nets, needed several minutes’ on-field treatment.