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Ashes PHOTOS: Bell ton saves the day for England
Ian Bell slammed his third Ashes century in successive Tests before part-time spinner Steven Smith claimed three late wickets to lead Australia's fightback on day one of the second Test, at Lord's in London, on Thursday.
In-form Bell hit 109 while Jonathan Trott and Jonny Bairstow also hit half-centuries before Smith claimed three wickets in 31 minutes to reduce to England to 289 for seven at the close of a sun-drenched day.
Ashes PHOTOS: Australia drop Cowan and Starc
Earlier, England captain Alastair Cook won the toss and decided to bat on the opening day of the second Ashes Test against Australia at Lord's on Thursday.
Pace bowler Tim Bresnan replaced Steven Finn an England side that won the first Test at Trent Bridge by 14 runs last Sunday.
Australia dropped number three Ed Cowan in favour of Usman Khawaja and selected pace bowler Ryan Harris ahead of Mitchell Starc.
Ashes PHOTOS: Queen Elizabeth in attendance at Lord's
There was a royal visitor at Lord's.
Queen Elizabeth II met the two teams before the start of the second Test at Lord's.
Ashes PHOTOS: A full house at Lord's
As expected it was a packed house at Lord's.
A lot of people came well in advance and there was a long queue outside the ground.
Ashes PHOTOS: Cook fails with the bat
Michael Clarke, the Australian captain, made a surprise bowling change as early as the fifth over.
He replaced James Pattinson with Shane Watson. And the move produced an instant result.
It took Watson just two balls to make the initial breakthrough, having England captain Alastair Cook (12) out leg before.
Ashes PHOTOS: Harris struck twice in his third over
Ryan Harris, in the squad in place of Mitchell Starc, then justified the selectors.
The veteran struck twice in his third over, in the space of four balls.
Harris first had Joe Root (6) out leg before. The batsman reviewed the umpire's decision but couldn't change it.
Ashes PHOTOS: Pietersen dismissed for two
Kevin Pietersen (2) didn't last long either.
The flamboyant batsman was out caught behind, giving Harris his second wicket.
Pietersen has always been vulnerable against the new ball and that vulnerability ensured his early dismissal yet again.
Ashes PHOTOS: Trott hits fifty to lift England
Harris continued to pick wickets as he dismissed Jonathan Trott in the post lunch session.
The right-hander played a fluent innings of 58 from 87, with the help of 11 boundaries, before he top edged a pull out and was caught by Usman Khawaja at deep square leg.
He helped rally England after a horror start as he put on 99 runs for the fourth wicket with Ian Bell.
Ashes PHOTOS: Bairstow gets a lifeline
Jonny Bairstow got a lifeline when he was bowled by Peter Siddle on 21 but replays showed that the pacer had overstepped and it was ruled a no-ball.
Bairstow survived the rest of the session to reach 28 not out at the tea break, as he was involved in an unbroken stand of 56 for the fifth wicket with Bell.
Ashes PHOTOS: Bell completes his century
Ian Bell joined an elite trio on Thursday with his third Ashes century in successive Tests.
Bell, who came to the crease with England floundering at 28 for three on a perfect batting pitch at the height of a British heatwave, reached his 19th Test hundred with 14 boundaries in exactly five hours.
He was finally out for 109 and joins Jack Hobbs (twice), Wally Hammond and Chris Broad at the only England players to score centuries in three consecutive Ashes Tests.
After his resolute second innings century in the first Test victory at Trent Bridge, Bell was in delightful touch from the start of his innings.
Ashes PHOTOS: Smith strikes crucial blows
Michael Clarke tossed the ball to part-time legspinner Steven Smith and he didn’t disappoint.
Smith first had centurion Bell walking back after he edged one to Clarke in slips. He then took a brilliant return catch of Jonny Bairstow (67) who had batted confidently on the ground where he scored an impressive 95 against South Africa last year and helped Bell add 144 for the fifth wicket.
Smith reduced England from 271 for four to 289 for seven at the close of a sun-drenched day.