Steve Smith celebrates after scoring his 24th Test century

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

England seamer Stuart Broad took a five-wicket haul, but Australia batsman Steve Smith spearheaded Australia’s recovery at Edgbaston with a century in his Test comeback.

Smith is playing in his first Test match since being banned for 12 months over his involvement in the ball tampering scandal that shocked the cricketing world back in March 2018.

Opting to bat first, Australia lost opening batsman David Warner early on as he was given out lbw off the bowling of Stuart Broad for two runs.

However, Warner decided not to review it and replays later confirmed that the ball would have been missing leg stump.

Cameron Bancroft didn’t last long at the crease either as he was caught by captain Joe Root at first slip off the bowling of Broad for eight runs.

Usman Khawaja was the next to go as he was caught behind off the bowling of Chris Woakes for 13.

Smith and Travis Head stabilised the innings with a 64-run partnership before Head was trapped lbw off the bowling of Woakes for 35.

Woakes also took out Matthew Wade, while Broad sent captain Tim Paine and James Pattinson packing.

Pat Cummins fell shortly after as he was given out lbw off the bowling of Ben Stokes for five runs.

With Australia reeling at 122/8, Smith and Peter Siddle came to the rescue with an 88-run partnership before Siddle was caught by Jos Buttler at short leg off the bowling of Moeen Ali for 44.

Smith and Nathan Lyon added 74 runs to the score before Smith was cleaned up by Broad for 144, which came off 219 balls and included 16 boundaries and two sixes.

Lyon remained undefeated on 12 as Australia were bowled out for 284.

Broad was the pick of the bowlers with five wickets, while Woakes snapped up three, and Stokes and Moeen chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Stuart Broad finished with figures of 5-86 off 22.4 overs

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Trailing by 284 runs, England scored 10 runs off the two overs they faced before stumps was called.

Jason Roy finished on six runs, which came off eight balls and included a boundary, while Rory Burns remained unbeaten on four.

England ended day one on 10/0 and will continue batting on Friday at 11:00 local time or 10:00 GMT.