Smith 144 rescues Australia on opening day of Ashes

LINDSEY PARNABY / AFP

Steven Smith scored a brilliant century to help Australia post a competitive first innings total on the opening day of the Ashes in Birmingham. 

The tourists went from being down in the dumps on 122 for 8 to finishing on 284 all out thanks to Smith’s scintillating innings of 144. 

Meanwhile Stuart Broad took five wickets for 86 runs as he was the pick of the bowlers for England. 

The hosts survived two testing overs to end the day’s play on 10-0.

Day two from Edgbaston gets underway at 2 pm UAE time on Friday.

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