We’ll go on the attack as much as possible says Woakes

ENGLAND were left wondering how to solve a problem like Steve Smith with the disgraced former Australia captain standing in the way of a push for victory in the first Ashes Test.

Although Joe Root’s team remain in the box seat at Edgbaston, with Australia effectively 34 for three in their second innings, Smith will return to the crease this morning having proved a class apart so far.

Root will almost certainly have to do without record wicket-taker James Anderson once again too, after a second scan suggested fresh damage to his injured calf.

Of Smith, who resumes on 46 not out after rescuing Australia’s first innings from 122 for eight with a big hundred, Chris Woakes said: ‘He’s a world-class player and we have to find a way to get him out.

‘On this surface in particular, it’s hard to force the issue as a bowler. Steve doesn’t make too many mistakes but whenever there’s a new player at the crease you try to attack them as much as possible. That’s when you’re most vulnerable as a player.

‘In the first innings we built a lot of pressure at the other end. We’ll try and do that again but we’ll certainly be looking to get Steve out if we can. We saw how destructive he was at the back end of the first-innings — he scored over half the runs.’

Smith’s biggest scare came in a dramatic moment shortly before a premature close due to bad light when a short ball from Ben Stokes struck him in the temple.

‘It was quite a good reaction from him wasn’t it? We had a little bit of a chuckle in the dressing room. He always puts a bit of mayo on things,’ said Australia team-mate James Pattinson.

‘But great players always stand up when you need them. And he has done that in this game. Without him we would be in a bit of trouble. He has been copping a bit from the crowd but, to his credit, he just gets on with it.’

Anderson raised hopes that he might bowl again in this match when he did so in the nets at lunchtime. But his limitation of movement was evident when he batted after the interval alongside Woakes, whose 65-run alliance with Stuart Broad for the ninth wicket had helped England eke out a first-innings lead of 90.

‘I was gutted for Jimmy, he’s dying to play more than anyone but it wasn’t right,’ said Woakes. ‘It’s unfortunate for him and us with him being the best fast bowler that’s ever lived.’