Second Ashes Test – Lord’s – Day 1 Roundup

A mixed day for England’s cricketers.  Captain, Andrew Strauss, hit his 18th Test century bringing his Test runs total to 5,000 but the brilliant start of 196-0 slipped to 364-6.

England won the toss and elected to bat first. Strauss and Alastair Cook(95) were quick off the ball and took just 48 overs to reach 196 – with Strauss hitting 22 fours – before Mitchell Johnson took Cook’s wicket.

With such a good start expectations were high that England would go on to record a high score but the Australian’s weren’t going to let that happen without a fight.

Bopara was out for 18 and the score stood at 222-2.  Pietersen ran up 32 and England lost their 3rd wicket at 267-3.

Collingwood, saviour of the first Test at Cardiff staying in to bat most of the last day couldn’t maintain that form today and was out for 16 and England were 302-4.

Prior was dismissed for 8 and England now 316-5 were starting to struggle.  Flintoff came to the crease with England fans expectations riding high – but he went  fora hugely disappointing 4 and it’s 333-6.

With Broad coming to the crease England are now in the lower batting orders, albeit with Strauss still holding on and England finish the day on 364-6 with Strauss(161) and Broad(7) due to return in the morning.

Australia having struggled with their bowling in the morning session must have been feeling low as England romped to 196 – but they came back strongly and had the better afternoon session taking 6 wickets for 137.

Australia will return to the attack in the morning hoping to get Strauss out quickly and then finish up the remaining wickets leaving themselves with a manageable target.

However, it looks as if the weather will have a starring role tomorrow with heavy rain forecast.