England vs Sri Lanka LIVE Score, T20 World Cup 2026: Will Jacks-led ENG bowling attack skittle out SL for 95 runs, win by 51 runs

A masterclass in seam bowling has put England firmly in control after the first day of the eagerly anticipated Ashes Test at Lord’s. Australia, winning the toss and electing to bat, were bundled out for a paltry 235, a score that hardly reflects their pre-series batting prowess.

The day belonged to the England bowlers, who exploited the overcast conditions and utilized the slope of Lord’s to devastating effect. James Anderson and Stuart Broad, the enduring veterans of English cricket, set the tone early, finding movement both through the air and off the pitch. It was captivating cricket.

Anderson, in particular, was menacing, consistently probing the corridor of uncertainty and making life exceedingly difficult for the Australian top order. David Warner, once again, struggled against Broad, succumbing to his nemesis for the 16th time in Test cricket. Marnus Labuschagne, the world's top-ranked Test batsman, looked uncomfortable from the outset, eventually falling victim to a sharply rising delivery from Ollie Robinson. Playing with soft hands is one thing, but against this attack it was never going to be enough.

But it was not just the experienced campaigners who shone. Robinson, with his relentless accuracy and subtle variations, proved to be a constant threat, while Mark Wood, brought into the side for his express pace, provided the shock factor, unsettling the batsmen with his raw speed.

Australia's innings never really gained any momentum. Steve Smith, as always, looked the most assured, compiling a patient 85 before being dismissed by a brilliant catch in the slips. No other Australian batsman passed fifty, a clear indication of England's dominance. There were starts, but none were converted into substantial scores.

The English bowlers were relentless. Watching the ball onto the bat seemed an impossible task. The discipline was clear. They bowled with unwavering accuracy, rarely offering the Australian batsmen an opportunity to release the pressure. Their lengths were impeccable, consistently hitting that nagging area right in the corridor.

And what of England's batting? At the close of play, England had reached 34 for no loss, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett looking solid at the crease. It’s a promising start, but there is much work to be done. The pitch, while offering assistance to the seamers, is expected to flatten out as the match progresses, and Australia's bowlers will be eager to make amends for their team's batting frailties.

But it was front-foot play that defined England's day.

The significance of this first day's play cannot be overstated. The Ashes is more than just a cricket series; it is a battle for national pride, a contest steeped in history and tradition. England, having lost the first Test at Edgbaston, desperately needed to bounce back, and they have done so in emphatic fashion. A victory at Lord’s would level the series and inject a huge dose of confidence into the England camp.

Is this a turning point? Can Australia respond? Only time will tell. For now, however, England can bask in the glory of a superb bowling performance, a performance that has put them firmly in the ascendancy. The crowd revelled in it. It won’t be forgotten soon.

The Australian side will need to regroup and find a way to counter England's seam attack. They will need their batsmen to show greater resilience and their bowlers to find the same accuracy and penetration as their English counterparts. They were playing out of his crease.

The second day promises to be a crucial one. England will be looking to build on their strong start and establish a significant lead, while Australia will be desperate to claw their way back into the contest. It will be a day of high drama, of intense competition, and of classic Ashes cricket. It will come down to textbook technique. The urn awaits.