Chris Rogers rode his luck as Australia made an excellent start in the second Ashes Test against England at Lord’s yesterday.
Australia were 104-1 at lunch on the first day, with David Warner the only batsman dismissed, as they looked to level the five-match series at 1-1 after their 169-run defeat in the first Test in Cardiff last week.
Rogers was 43 not out on a ground he knows well from his time with Lord’s-based county side Middlesex and Steven Smith was 16 not out.
Photo: Reuters
Australia captain Michael Clarke won the toss and elected to bat first on what looked like another typically good pitch at the “home of cricket.”
Initially overcast skies offered a hint of swing.
The first over saw Rogers fortunate to survive when he edged an intended drive off James Anderson just over the top of the slip cordon for four.
Warner is known as the more aggressive of Australia’s two left-handed openers, but it took him 25 deliveries to score his first four on Thursday, pulling first-change bowler Mark Wood.
Rogers did not look secure and repeatedly played and missed.
By contrast, Warner started to find his touch with five fours, all off fast bowler Wood, in the space of 13 deliveries.
Alastair Cook brought on Moeen Ali after drinks.
However, with Australia determined not to let the off-spinner settle, Warner slog-swept Ali’s first ball for four.
Ali, had his revenge five deliveries later as he dismissed Warner for the second time in as many innings.
Warner, going down the pitch, saw a lofted drive well caught by Anderson on the run at deep mid-off and was out for 38, an innings that contained seven fours.
England fielded the same side who won in Cardiff after all-rounder Ali overcame a slight side strain.
Ashes-holders Australia — looking for their first Test series win in Britain in 14 years — made two changes.
Wicketkeeper Peter Nevill made his international debut after first-choice gloveman Brad Haddin withdrew for “family reasons,” while Mitchell Marsh replaced dropped fellow all-rounder Shane Watson.
At press time last night, Australia were 168-1.
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