Unbeaten centuries from Rogers and Smith dominate England
Australia tour of England and Ireland, 2nd Investec Test: England v Australia at Lord’s, Jul 16-20, 2015 being played at Lord’s, London.
Australia 337/1 (90.0 ov) Chris JL Rogers 158 off 282, 25 fours, SPD Smith 129 off 217, 13 fours and 1 six, MM Ali 82-1; SCJ Broad 47-0
England
Australia won the toss and elected to bat
Australia are fighting back with a vengeance after their first test 169 run loss to England, batted sensibly and amassed 337-1 by playing every ball on its merit and showed their dominance at Lords the home of Test cricket. According to Geoff Boycott Lord pitch has been deliberately slowed down as there is not life in the pitch at all.
Australia’s Steve Smith made 129 not out and Chris Rogers 158 not out his eight scores past fifty in the last nine innings, cut his way to his fifth ton in test cricket, put an unbeaten stand for 2nd wicket of 259 off 450 balls. Australia batsman Chris Rogers: “That’s probably a little bit better to bat on than a usual Lord’s pitch. Hopefully it will wear and get harder to bat on later in the game”.
England had a grueling day on the field although they bowled tight and got some swing, only managed to muster one wicket for 337 runs.