Rory Burns hit his maiden Test century in his first Ashes Test, leading England to nearly draw level on day two at Edgbaston.
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| Photo from Evening Standard |
Rory Burns hit his maiden Test century as he batted the whole of the second day of the first Ashes Test.
The Surrey skipper finished on 125 not out in only his eighth Test, as England trail by 17 on 267-4.
Captain Joe Root made 57 in a second wicket stand with the left-hander of 132, while Ben Stokes made an unbeaten 38 at the end of the day.
Burns' innings had some good fortune to it, as the poor umpiring continued to when he was on 21, a review would have shown he was out lbw off Nathan Lyon.
Joe Root survived a James Pattinson delivery on nine that captain Time Paine thought he had nicked and appealed that he was caught behind.
Replays showed that there was no bat involved and instead the delivery had clipped off stump but did not dislodge the bails.
58 overs into the day, the umpires relented and gave Australia the new ball, exploiting its proud seam instantly.
Joe Denly was trapped lbw by Pattinson and Jos Buttler edged to third slip off Cummins, both with the new ball.
Stokes remained for an unbeaten stand of 73 for the fifth wicket.
Burns was the batsman who looked the most nervous in England's first innings against Ireland last week, as they were bowled out for 85.
But here, he looked like a different player, he anchored the innings with patience, watchfulness and the occupation of the crease.
It was much more sedate than the opening day, but that didn't stop the home crowd supporting their side and taunting the visitors.
As well as the solid performance with the bat, the Barmy Army were greeted with the welcome sight of seeing James Anderson running on the outfield, though we are waiting for news of whether he will bowl in the second innings.
After Smith's century yesterday, Burns became the second idiosyncratic batsman to hit a hundred in this Test.
While Smith fidgeted at the crease, Burns leaned forward, looking out of his left eye with he head facing mid-on, with his bat coming down in the direction of gully.
Resuming on 10-0, Jason Roy edged to first slip for 10, while Burns and Root ground out the rest of the morning and well into the afternoon, with the Yorkshireman only scoring 11 from his first 60 balls.
Like Smith, Burns judged brilliantly which balls to hit and which to leave, scoring runs mostly square of the wicket on either side, with fortune of edges missing hands a number of times.
Just as England picked up the pace, their skipper fell as Peter Siddle brilliantly caught and bowled Root, with Denly and Buttler soon following.
Burns then spent 35 balls and 54 minutes in the 90s before a single off Lyon - which the umpire reviewed to check for a run out - brought the Hollies Stand to their feet and chanting the name of their centurion.
The Ashes Fixtures and Results
1-5 August
First Test, Edgbaston
14-18 August
Second Test, Lord's
22-26 August
Third Test, Headingley
4-8 September
Fourth Test, Old Trafford
12-16 September
Fifth Test, The Oval
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