The Ashes 2013: England falter despite Ian Bell's century

Ian Bell’s brilliant century helped England post a score of 289 runs for the loss of 7 wickets on Day 1. England were cruising along nicely at one stage, but Steve Smith’s late wickets to put his team in a commanding position at stumps.

England made just the one change as they brought Tim Bresnan at the expense of Steve Finn, while Australia made couple of changes as they brought Ryan Harris and Usman Khawaja at the expense of Mitchell Starc and Ed Cowan.

After winning the toss on a bright sunny day, England elected to bat first. England started the innings confidently as Cook struck the second ball of the innings for a glorious four through midwicket region. But Joe Root was watchful against the new-ball as Australia opening bowlers Pattinson and Ryan Harris were swinging the ball both ways.

He, however, brought up his first boundary in the fourth over when he drove Harris through the cover region. The duo subsequently picked up the tempo and attacked the Australian fast bowlers.

Surprisingly, Michael Clarke brought Shane Watson into the attack in the fifth over to curb the run-flow. The first delivery slid across Cook, but the second delivery was full, swung in and Cook was wrapped on the front pad for 12.

Subsequently, Jonathan Trott walked in and struck a beautiful four of Shane Watson to get off the mark. He quickly scored another boundary of Shane Watson in the same over to up the ante.

However, Joe Root (6) was dismissed in the sixth over by Ryan Harris as the latter was struck on the front pad. They also lost the wicket of Pietersen in the same over as the latter was caught behind for only two.

Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott re-constructed the innings as the duo put on 99 runs for the fifth wicket. The duo batted sensibly as they did not do more than what was required at that stage. England finally ended the first session 80/3.

England managed to steady the ship after the blast from Harris and Watson had stunned them in the first hour. Trott and Bell had a lot of work to do. Trott started the second session with a glorious four off Siddle through square leg. He soon attacked the Australian fast bowlers and kept scoring at a brisk-rate. But, he was dismissed in the 34^th over by Harris as the latter pulled a short delivery only to get caught at deep square leg for 58.

Jonny Bairstow had a significant task on hand as Australia seamers were well on top. He, however, stuck Bell as the duo shared a magnificent partnership of 144 runs for the fifth wicket. The duo exploited the conditions to perfection and kept Australia in check as they ended the second session at 183/4.

After the tea session, they did not keep silent as the wicket was good for batting. They kept scoring at a brisk-rate and did not allow Australia to come back into the match. Ian Bell scored a brilliant century, but was dismissed by Steve Smith in the 77^th over for 109.

Yet again, Clarke’s captaincy did the trick. It was a perfect leg-break, which gripped off the surface, found the edge and carried low to Clarke at second slip.

Steve Smith soon grabbed the wicket of Jonny Bairstow as the latter was caught and bowled off Smith. Smith bowled a tight line and length and did not offer too much room for batsmen.

England batsmen faltered as they lost Prior in the 84^th over for only six. It was fantastic display from Smith as he thought that bowling with a lot of varieties will definitely test the batsmen. That’s exactly what happened as he claimed three wickets towards the close of play.