Live Commentary: The Ashes - Second Test, day one - as it happened

Good morning everyone. Enough about walking. Enough about umpires. Enough about Hotspot. Let's just admit that the first Test was a fantastic match. We're back for a new game and five more days of entertainment at Lord's.

BREAKING NEWS: England win the toss and choose to bat first.

TEAM NEWS: It's the decision every England fan has been talking about this week and Alastair Cook has confirmed that Steven Finn misses out. Tim Bresnan comes in as his replacement.

TEAM NEWS: Australia have been forced into action following the disappointment at Trent Bridge. Ed Cowan has been dropped and replaced by Usman Khawaja. Mitchell Starc drops out of the side and his place is taken by Ryan Harris.

Right, did you get all of that? Both sides make changes for different reasons and you've got to feel for Finn, who misses out on his home ground due to those wayward spells in Nottingham last week.

Cook will be delighted to have won the toss this morning. The pitch is very dry and the sun is shining at Lord's, too. It looks a good day to be batting at the home of cricket.

Before we can get on with the game, there's a very special guest at Lord's this morning. The Queen will meet both sides on the outfield today and her presence proves just how special this occasion is to everyone.

Every player is lining up for this very special moment. The area for members at Lord's is completely full and there's plenty of cameras around to catch the moment.

A number of very nice cars have just pulled in, with police close following. I'm guessing that will be the Queen then. I hear she's a pretty clever leg-spinner. I haven't really but we can all dream.

The Queen has arrived and she's greeted by a very warm round of applause by everyone inside the ground. Both teams get the opportunity to shake hands. A very proud moment for everyone involved.

The pleasantries are over. I reckon it's time for some Ashes cricket, don't you?

I must admit, the decision from Australia to leave Starc out felt harsh. The seamer has been praised regularly by the backroom staff but he's not been given the opportunity to prove himself again. However, Harris will provide a different threat. He's an aggressive bowler and on a dry pitch, his attitude could be crucial.

Australia do have a brilliant record at Lord's over the years. Michael Clarke claimed it's been "like a home ground for us" and they'll have to find their comfort zone quickly in this match.

England will be hoping, after winning the toss, to put a big score on the board in the first innings. Spin could come into the match later in the weekend and that will encourage Graeme Swann. 15 minutes until play at Lord's.

ENGLAND: Cook, Root, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Bairstow, Prior, Bresnan, Broad, Swann, Anderson

AUSTRALIA: Watson, Rogers, Khawaja, Clarke, Hughes, Smith, Haddin, Agar, Siddle, Pattinson, Harris

All of the preparations have been made. Australia simply cannot afford to lose this Test match. Cook and his partner Joe Root are about to head out to the middle.

Former Australian skipper Steve Waugh rings the five-minute bell on the balcony. Clarke leads his men out past the members and out of the gate. He won't have to say much to get his players pumped up.

The members in the Long Room give Cook and Root a brilliant receptions as they walk out to face their biggest rivals once again. James Pattinson will bowl the first over of this match. The Ashes, part two.

Good start from Pattinson as he swings one back to make life uncomfortable for Cook. England's captain gets off the mark by clipping the ball off his pads for four through mid-wicket. The seamer loses his accuracy in the middle of the over as he sends two deliveries down the leg-side. Pattinson strays onto the pads again and Cook flicks two more runs to deep square-leg. Solid start for the hosts.

It's Harris who is given the job of sharing the new ball with Pattinson. There is some swing early in the over but the seamer's line isn't quite right. Root pushes the ball firmly into the off-side but Ashton Agar does well to prevent a single. Maiden over for Harris.

Once again Pattinson starts the over well as he nips one back but the length is too short to encourage an lbw appeal. Cook guides a thick edge towards the slips, where Clarke does well to stop the ball on the second bounce. Pattinson doesn't learn his lesson from the previous over as he strays onto the hip to allow Cook to earn four through square-leg. A much better line invites a drive from Cook, who is fortunate not to deliver an edge to Haddin. England's skipper moves to 12 with two more through mid-wicket.

There's been some good bounce for Harris in the opening moments of the match. Root defends well though and gets off the mark when he guides the ball through the slips for four. Great control shown by the Yorkshire opener. Harris responds with a beauty to beat the outside edge. A nudge down the ground beats the fielder at mid-on and Root picks up two more from the final ball of the over.

Well, this is certainly a surprise. Pattinson is taken out of the attack after just two overs but it's Shane Watson, not Peter Siddle, who comes into the attack.

What a change for the tourists! Clarke's decision is vindicated as Watson nips one back to dismiss Cook lbw. No review from the England skipper as he walks off with a miserable look on his face.

Jonathan Trott comes out to the middle and he looks in confident mood as he whips four runs through square-leg. The new batsman reaches the rope for the second time in two balls as he slices a drive behind square for four more. Eight runs and a wicket from Watson's first over.

Well, we've not even had 30 minutes of play and Hotspot has already thrown up a close call. Root is given out lbw when Harris goes full to the opener. The decision is reviewed and after a few replays, the third umpire Tony Hill is happy to give the Yorkshire ace out. There was an inside edge involved but it looked like it came just after the impact with the pad. Great start for Australia.

Kevin Pietersen is the new batsman. Harris catches a thick edge but the ball drops well short of the slips. A clip into the leg-side brings two runs to Pietersen.

What a few moments for the tourists! Harris takes his second and his side's third wicket of the morning as Pietersen sends the faintest of edges through to Haddin. Huge celebrations. England in big trouble. Ian Bell in next.

The Watson experiment doesn't last long as Pattinson comes back into the attack to bowl at two right-handed batsmen. It's a much better over for the opening bowler as he settles on a good length to complete a maiden.

Bell, one of the heroes from Trent Bridge, is forced to defend his first six balls as Harris continues to probe away around off-stump. It's another maiden over. I promise you, it's definitely a batting day at Lord's.

Trott lives dangerously as he falls across his stumps but he still manages to earn four to fine-leg. Pattinson surprises Trott with a short ball later in the over and the batsman is fortunate to see the ball drop short of gully off the glove. Good variation from the seamer. Just the boundary from the over.

Harris is bowling with great rhythm at the moment but I wouldn't be surprised if Clarke keeps his spells short. Bell comes forward to defend before sitting back to keep out the short ball. England's number five gets off the mark with a single to deep square-leg. This one is a very important partnership for England.

Watson is back into the attack to replace Pattinson. There's a few words directed at Bell during the over but he won't be disturbed at the crease. It's a decent over from Watson but there isn't really a threatening delivery sent down. Maiden over.

The changes keep coming as Pattinson switches ends to come on for Harris. Trott gets on top of the bounce well to get off strike early in the over. Bell takes advantage of some width to steer the ball past Agar to point for four runs. Good response from Pattinson to force Bell into a leave just outside off-stump. The Queen decides enough is enough as she leaves the ground.

Watson should know not to bowl straight to Trott. The all-rounder is punished for his poor accuracy as England's number three punches four through the leg-side. Watson is slightly too wide in the middle of the over, allowing Trott to watch the ball travel to Haddin. Just four from the over. Time for a drinks break.

This series refuses to calm down. Brilliant first hour for Australia, who have managed to take three crucial wickets. England need to rebuild and they really cannot afford to lose another batsman before lunch.

Good over from Pattinson following the short break. Bell is forced back by some good pace from the seamer but it's nothing the middle-order batsman can't handle. Maiden over.

Trott bravely leaves just outside off-stump to spark some groan from the Australian fielders. Watson's length is impressive and he catches the edge later in the over. However, the ball drops just short of Khawaja at gully. It's another maiden.

Bell gets off strike early in Pattinson's over with a single on the leg-side. Trott drives firmly to cover, where Agar does well to prevent a run. A shorter ball is worked into the leg-side for another run. Bell whips one through the air but he beats the fielder at short mid-wicket and earns four runs to move to 10. Trott has 18 to his name. We've seen 16 overs bowled this morning. Time for Siddle.

There's still some movement in the air for Siddle, who immediately finds a brilliant line to Trott. A fuller ball invites the drive, which Trott misses. Siddle once again causes problems and he catches the edge this time but the ball squeezes through the slips for four. Good start for Siddle.

Harris comes into the attack once again. It's clear to see that Bell is confident at the moment, despite the current score on the board. The batsman waits patiently for the bad ball and when it does arrive, he drills four runs through the covers.

Trott hits a drive nicely but his shot is directed straight to the fielder at mid-off. Siddle's pace is good and he uses the crease well to provide another threat to Trott. Maiden over.

Harris starts a new over with a beauty that just holds its line to beat Bell's outside edge. A drive is hit straight to Agar, who fields well just in front of point. Australia's bowler are doing a good job to persist with a straight line. Bell plays out a maiden.

Trott collects two runs early in Siddle's over. The seamer attempts a bouncer but Trott gets on top of the bounce well to pull a single through square-leg. Siddle makes life uncomfortable for Bell, who is squared-up at the crease but Bell survives.

Trott gets off strike from the third ball of the over by shuffling across the crease and nudging a single through square-leg. Bell cuts powerfully but he picks out Agar on the off-side. Harris delivers a good in-swinger but his optimistic lbw appeal is quickly rejected. Two leg-byes is the end result.

A single is taken by Trott at the start of Siddle's over. Bell's defence is being tested by Siddle's full length. It's a good battle between these two, with both players showing good form in the last Test. Siddle strays onto the pads and Bell collects a single from the final ball of the over.

Bell earns a couple early in the over before opening the face to guide a single to third-man. A bouncer surprises Trott but the ball drops safely and he sends the bowler a smile. Harris is looking desperate to find the fourth wicket as we approach lunch but he can't break through Trott's defence. The over ends with a boundary when Trott powers a drive through the covers for four.

Siddle shapes the ball away from Bell nicely on a couple of occasions but he can't encourage a false shot. A slightly fuller ball is driven powerfully through cover and Bell picks up three runs. Bell goes back to defensive mode as he leaves the remainder of the over. It's time for Agar, decides captain Clarke.

Bell sits back to push Agar past short-leg for a single. Trott's eyes light up when Agar goes straight and he earns three through mid-wicket to bring up the fifty partnership. Bell earns another run through square-leg. The spinner's over ends with a leg-bye and it's time for lunch.

LUNCH: Australia will definitely head into lunch happy with their work in the first session. It's perfect for batting at Lord's today but the tourists showed great fight to take three crucial wickets early on.

Trott (34*) and Bell (23*) have both looked in good touch this morning. Their partnership is very important for England and the hosts will want them to remain out in the middle for a while yet.

We'll take a break for a round 35 minutes but make sure you come back as England look to fight back this afternoon. See you then.

Welcome back everyone. We've got an intriguing session of cricket coming up. Three wickets gave Australia the control early on but conditions still favour batting. England have two high-class players at the crease and both Bell and Trott will be desperate to go on to make a big score.

All of the players are out in the middle. Trott and Bell both look calm as they prepare for the afternoon session. Siddle will begin proceedings with the ball in hand.

Trott continues to target the leg-side in trademark fashion as he whips four through the leg-side early in Siddle's over. A fuller delivery outside off-stump is driven powerfully and a half-stop from Agar at cover can't stop the ball reaching the rope. Good start for England after lunch. Eight from the over.

Pattinson is given a new spell at the start of the session. His first delivery is short and wide, allowing Bell to rock back and cut the ball for four. Pattinson recovers well from the loose delivery and chooses to go much straighter to Bell. Good defence on show from the batsman.

There's a groan from Siddle as what he believes to be a good delivery is clipped through a gap on the leg-side by Trott for four runs. A mistake from Harris at mid-off allows Trott to hurry a couple more before the same batsman sneaks a single to move to 49. Flurry of runs for England since lunch.

England reach three figures when Pattinson is punished for a big wide down the leg-side. The seamer does the same a ball later and it's another extra to England's total. Big appeal for lbw when Pattinson finally hits the right line but it's too high and umpire Dharmasena shakes his head. Trott takes a couple of steps down the pitch and whips four more down the slope at Lord's to reach his HALF-CENTURY. Good knock at an important time for England.

Fantastic from Siddle but his delivery is probably too good as the ball nips away to beat the outside edge. Bell responds brilliantly to punch a full delivery straight down the ground for four. Trott reacts well to Bell's early call to hurry a single.

Pattinson hasn't been at his best since lunch as he strays down the leg-side to be punished with four from Bell to fine-leg. Bell wants to guide the ball past the man in the gully but he can't pick the gap. Good comeback from Pattinson following the early boundary.

There's a change of bowling as Watson returns to the attack. Trott starts the over by nudging a single into the deep on the leg-side. Watson can't find the right line early in the over as he strays to concede four leg-byes. Bell plays a loose drive but he gets away with it as the ball beats gully and races to the rope. Nine from Watson's return. It's been poor from Australia's bowlers since lunch.

Harris gets his first bowl after lunch, replacing Pattinson. Two dot balls are followed by a poor wide delivery which is cut to the rope by Trott.

Well, this dismissal has come from nowhere. England were cruising but Trott falls to the trap set for him as he top edges a pull to Khawaja in the deep on the leg-side. Big breakthrough for the tourists. Bairstow in next for England but it's Bell who survives the final ball of the over.

Bairstow gets off the mark by working Watson into the leg-side for a single. There's an optimistic lbw appeal from Australia when Watson nips one back at Bell but the ball would have missed leg-stump. A brilliant cut shot from Bell brings four behind point.

Harris finds a great length to Bairstow, who does well to clip two runs away on the leg-side. Bairstow is often punished for not playing with a straight bat but he shows good technique early on. Just two from the over.

Watson must begin to build pressure and hope that Harris can continue to cause problems at the other end. It's a good over from the all-rounder as he forces Bell to play regularly. Maiden over.

Much better from Bairstow, whose defence looks far more solid in the early stages of this innings. A pull shot brings just a single to deep square-leg. Harris attempts to surprise Bell with a bouncer but he easily avoids the danger.

Siddle is back into the attack for a new spell. Bairstow's back-foot drive is parried by the fielder at point but England manage to hurry two runs. A couple of wider balls are struck powerfully to Khawaja on the off-side. Bairstow finally beats Khawaja to earn four through point. It's time for a drinks break.

The umpires have changed their minds and we'll have one more over before the break. Harris attempts to sneak through with a couple of yorkers but Bell does well to keep the deliveries out. Maiden over and now it is time for a drinks break.

Bell is continuing his good form here today. He currently has 44, while Bairstow has looked comfortable making an unbeaten 10.

Agar returns to the attack for a new spell. Bairstow shows good patience to leave well outside off-stump before cutting the shorter ball to deep cover for a single. It's a good over from the spinner.

Pattinson begins a new spell disappointingly as he once again strays onto the pads to concede four leg-byes. Beautiful shot from Bairstow through the covers brings two runs. A pull shot earns the same batsman a single. Seven from Pattinson's over.

Agar tosses the ball up but it's too full and Bairstow is able to drill four runs through extra cover. Good opportunity for Bairstow on what looks like a very flat pitch now. Just the boundary from the over.

Bell clips Pattinson into the leg-side and runs superbly to collect two when only a single seemed possible. Pattinson hasn't threatened too much today and his line has been disappointing. However, the seamer nearly gets a wicket when Bell slices the ball into the air but his shot beats point and England's number five reaches his HALF-CENTURY with a boundary. Bell looks in great form again today.

Bairstow decides against cutting Agar at the start of the over when the spinner quickens his pace slightly. Agar oversteps the mark and is punished for a no-ball. An open faced shot earns Bairstow a single behind point and he'll keep the strike.

Bairstow hands the strike to his partner at the start of Pattinson's over. A big positive from Bell's innings so far has been the way he has left the ball outside off-stump. When he addresses that weakness, he looks a very difficult player to dismiss. Bell steals the strike with a single to deep square-leg.

Agar drifts one down the leg-side and Bell works the ball through fine-leg for three runs. The spinner is struggling to settle on a good length but his varying pace is restricting England's freedom.

Siddle comes back into the attack. A shorter ball isn't quite timed by Bell and a good piece of fielding from Harris prevents England from adding a second run. Bairstow shuffles across his crease to add another through square-leg. It's a typically good over from Siddle.

Bairstow seems eager to sweep Agar but he's failed to make contact with the ball on a couple of occasions. Much better line and length from Agar as he forces Bairstow to block out a maiden over.

Brilliant shot from Bairstow to push Siddle straight down the ground for three runs. Big, big slice of luck for Bairstow. The batsman is bowled by a full delivery and begins to walk off, believing that he has been dismissed. However, Bairstow is called back when the umpires take a second look at the delivery and realise it was a no-ball. Amazing few moments at Lord's. Can Bairstow take advantage? Five from the over.

We've now had 50 overs at Lord's. Bell is currently on 58. Bairstow has 22 and he'll be breathing a big sigh of relief following that reprieve.

Bairstow doesn't seem to be lacking in confidence following the drama as he rocks back to cut Agar for four. A wayward delivery outside leg-stump is swept powerfully through fine-leg for two more. Not much in it for the spinner at the moment.

Bell is once again more than happy to leave early in Siddle's over. A fuller delivery invites the drive and Bell picks the gap well to earn three through extra cover. Siddle's accuracy is impressive but a lack of movement means that he's lost some of his threat.

Bell finds a single to hand the strike to Bairstow. A shorter ball is cut firmly but Bairstow can't beat Khawaja at backward point. Agar gives the ball some good flight later in the over but Bairstow does well to defend. Just a single from the over and it's time for tea.

TEA: Just one wicket falling in the session, with Trott failing to convert his half-century into three figures. Bell has looked in superb form and Bairstow looks in the mood to take advantage of that stroke of luck.

It's not been a great session for Australia but we're finally seeing the proof that this is a good pitch to bat first on. They'll want another couple of wickets this evening. If Bairstow and Bell bat for much longer, England will be in control.

Bairstow's tendency to play across the line is surely being addressed by Andy Flower and Graham Gooch. It's something that he must eradicate from his game and if he can, there's no reason why he can't become a very good Test player.

Bell has struck centuries in his previous two Ashes Test matches, including last week's ton at Trent Bridge. You wouldn't bet against him reaching three figures again today.

Who's in charge at the moment? Australia certainly aren't in a bad position and a couple more wickets could certainly change the look of things at Lord's. However, if this partnership continues to blossom, England will be expecting to post a big first innings total.

The players are back out in the middle now for the final session of the day. Harris will bowl the first over after tea.

Good over for Harris, who looks as fit as I've seen him in Test cricket following his recent injury woes. Just a single for each batsman from the over.

It's Watson who gets the ball with Harris following the break. The all-rounder is too wide early in the over and Bairstow is happy to take advantage of the width as he earns four over gully. Pattinson does very well at mid-on to prevent the same batsman from adding another run. Decent, if not very threatening, from Watson.

Bell hands the strike to Bairstow early in the over. Harris persists with a full length to the Yorkshire ace, who shows much better technique with four straight down the ground. Full face of the bat on show from Bairstow throughout the over.

The England duo trade singles at the start of Watson's new over. Bell sits deep in his crease to punch two through the off-side, with Agar doing well in the deep to prevent any more runs from being scored. England's batsmen seem comfortable against Watson at the moment. Four from the over.

Bairstow pulls a short ball through mid-wicket for two to see England through to 200. The same batsman adds two more with a clip off the pads before dodging a well-directed bouncer. Bairstow sneaks a single later in the over to move to 43 and ensure that he keeps the strike. England have looked very good since tea.

Poor from Haddin as a loose throw following a quick single allows England to add two more at the start of a new spell from Pattinson. Bell fires a cover drive through the gap and down the slope for four beautiful runs. Pattinson delivers a good yorker but the lbw appeal is rejected and Clarke wisely decides against reviewing. Definitely a hint of reverse swing for the bowler. Pattinson's mood isn't improved as he rocks back to punch a no-ball through the off-side for four runs. That's a stunning shot. There's time in the over for one more boundary as Bell helps himself to four more when he cuts a wider delivery from Pattinson. Vintage Bell.

Bairstow finds a single to get off strike and move to 47. Bell isn't offered the freedom he was given by Pattinson and he is forced to block out the remainder of the over.

Pattinson is punished for that poor over as Agar comes back into the attack. Bairstow continues to deal in singles as he flicks run behind square on the leg-side. Bell displays great timing to play the latest of cuts to earn four through third-man. England are scoring at a good rate at the moment.

Siddle comes back into the attack for what could be an important spell, if Australia are to break this partnership. Bairstow moves to 49 by pushing a single to deep mid-wicket. Bell once again defends and he remains on 83.

FIFTY! Warm applause around Lord's as Bairstow reaches his third half-century on this ground. Impressive innings despite having to be reprieved late in the last session. He'll be desperate to keep the doubters quiet with a century. Bell sits deep in his crease to add one through square-leg before Bairstow finds another run wide of the man at mid-on. This partnership has now passed 100.

Bairstow picks out fielders on the off-side on two occasions early in Siddle's over. The seamer persists with the full length for most of the over but he does attempt to surprise Bairstow with a short ball. It's a good maiden.

Agar comes back round the wicket following a short experiment from the left-arm spinner. The 19-year-old oversteps the mark and is punished for his second no-ball of the day. Bell flicks a fuller ball into the leg-side for a single. Good communication from the England duo as Bairstow adds another run past mid-on.

Bairstow breathes a sigh of relief when a top edge drops well short of Pattinson, who was running in from the boundary. Bell remains watchful outside off-stump as he pulls his bat away before blocking well. A push behind point brings a quick single for Bell.

Agar is inches away from bowling Bell when the batsman misses a very full delivery. Haddin looks amazed, he knows that one was close. Good over from Agar, who continues to vary his pace. Maiden over.

Big risk taken by England as Bairstow calls for a single straight down the ground. Rogers targets Haddin's end and a slightly wayward throw means Bell survives. Bell pulls a single to deep square-leg to make it two from the over.

Too short from Agar and he's punished as Bell moves into the nineties with four in front of point. An easy single is then taken behind square on the leg-side. Bairstow picks the gap on the off-side with expert precision to collect two to deep cover. Even better from the final ball of the over as Bairstow cuts four runs to the rope. 11 from Agar's over.

Pattinson starts a new spell with a short ball, which Bell pulls away for a single. Bairstow runs well to pick up two more in the middle of the over. England are turning this into a good day following that difficult start this morning.

Clarke turns to Watson as the fragile-looking Agar is given a break. Bell won't be rushed into a false shot at this stage in his innings. Good defence from the batsman. Maiden over.

Much better from Pattinson compared to what we have seen from him today. It's a good, straight over from the seamer. Bairstow makes contact with most of the deliveries in the over. It's a maiden. Time for drinks.

Australia need a wicket soon to wrestle back some control. Both England players look relaxed at the crease at the moment. Watson to continue. Bairstow 62* Bell 93*

Watson pushes the ball to full early in his over and Bell drives through the covers for three, with Smith doing well to prevent the boundary. Bairstow is keen to work a couple of balls into the leg-side but he picks out the fielders.

Pattinson continues to improve on his earlier spell of bowling. Bell follows three dot balls with a single through square-leg to move to 97. Bairstow reaches the boundary with a simple push straight back past the bowler. Pattinson fires in a short ball but it's too high and he's punished for a wide. Agar is off the field at the moment. It looked like he had a problem earlier and I'll give you more information when I receive it.

Bell edges closer to three figures with two behind square on the leg-side. Watson tries to sneak past the bat with a yorker but the batsman does well to dig the ball out. CENTURY! Bell has done it again! Two runs behind point brings huge cheers from his supporters and teammates. Fantastic innings from the Warwickshire ace, who has scored 100 for the third Ashes Test in a row. Bell adds four more through fine-leg.

People have always criticised Bell for not making big scores when it matters. Well, two centuries at crucial times in the opening two matches of the series suggests the man has matured.

Siddle returns with a face that means business. That's his style. He'll always put 100% in and he bowls with great aggression but there's not much support from the ball or pitch at this stage. Maiden over. The new ball is four overs away.

Clarke turns to Steve Smith as he looks to use up some overs before the arrival of the new ball. The leg-spinner doesn't bowl as much as he used to. Rightly so, maybe. Smith gives the ball plenty of opportunity to spin early on but there's no turn. However, a good start to the over is ruined as we're given a trip down memory lane when Bell launches a full-toss over mid-wicket for four.

Well, that will keep a few people quiet. Smith makes the breakthrough as he catches the edge, with Clarke taking the catch at first slip. Bell is disappointed to depart but he is given a very good reception by the crowd at Lord's. A brilliant innings comes to an end.

Siddle breezes through another over to complete a maiden. Make no mistake, Bell's wicket was a big breakthrough so close to the arrival of the new ball.

Prior, the new batsman, sits deep in his crease to cut his first run through the off-side. Bairstow continues his own pursuit of a century with a single of his own. Prior finds one more run to deep cover before Bairstow defends the remaining deliveries.

Smith seems to be hitting some good areas with his leg-spin, so maybe the new ball won't come at the end of the over. Siddle continues to find the right line and length with the old ball. Prior drills a cover drive straight to the man at short cover. It's another maiden from Siddle.

The new ball is available but Smith begins another over to search for another wicket with his leg-spin.

Oh dear, Jonny. Smith starts the over with a full toss but Bairstow proceeds to prod the ball straight back to the bowler, who takes a decent catch. It's an awful way to be dismissed and Bairstow will miss out on a century. Smith has two wickets!

Bresnan is the new batsman for England and he takes advantage of a loose delivery from the spinner to earn four through point. Another run is added behind square on the leg-side. Has Smith done his job now? Is it time for the new ball?

It's still the old ball as Siddle continues his economical spell of bowling. The seamer hasn't found too much reverse swing though, which would certainly cause even more problems at this stage. It's a maiden. 25 minutes of play left in the day.

Smith starts a new over with a big turner to catch the outside edge but the ball goes straight to ground. Prior takes advantage of a slightly shorter ball to sit back and cut the spinner away for four runs. Smith is testing the England batsmen but they survive, this time.

Harris comes back into the attack but Clarke doesn't take the new ball just yet. The seamer adjusts his length well and almost sneaks through Bresnan's defence with a good yorker. It is a maiden for Harris, who will be looking to add to his three wickets before the day comes to an end.

Smith keeps on surprising with this spell of bowling. Prior attempts to cut a quicker delivery and can only edge the ball to Haddin, who does superbly to react and take the catch. Great fightback from the tourists! James Anderson comes to the crease as a nightwatchman, apparently. Is he protecting Broad and Swann?

Anderson shows some good defence to see out the remainder of the over. Suddenly, it's the Australian players and supporters displaying smiles.

Bresnan is probably eyeing the close of play now as Harris continues his spell. The seamer delivers a good full delivery, with a hint of reverse swing, to trouble Bresnan but the end result is a single. Anderson flirts with one outside off-stump but he's nowhere near making contact. Harris surprises the tail-end batsman with a bouncer but a single is stolen behind square on the leg-side.

Anderson takes a single from the first ball of the over, which is surely not the point of a nightwatchman. Smith tosses one up but Bresnan doesn't make the greatest of contacts and fails to find a run. A thick edge brings a single to third-man. Smith then beats Anderson's outside edge with a beauty that almost spins back and hits the stumps. England are crawling to the close of play.

NEW BALL TAKEN: Clarke takes the new ball and throws it to Harris. There's time for one, possibly two, more overs. There's some immediate movement to force Haddin into a good take down the leg-side. Bresnan swings wildly at a wider ball and is fortunate not to edge the ball to the slips. Good start with the new ball. Maiden over. Time for one more.

It's Pattinson, who hasn't had a great day, who will bowl the final over of the day. Anderson is tested by a couple of shorter balls but the left-handed batsman does well to nudge the ball short of short-leg. A fuller delivery is pushed through the off-side for two runs. Haddin takes the ball impressively down the leg-side. Anderson survives the over and that's the end of a very entertaining day at Lord's.

CLOSE OF PLAY: This series continues to fascinate everyone viewing from home or in the ground. Australia took charge this morning before Bell fought back. However, those late wickets from Smith have changed the complexion of this match.

Personally, I believe that Australia are the happier of the two sides. England did well to recover from 28-3 but after reaching 271-4, they'll be disappointed with the way the last few wickets fell.

We didn't see that coming from Smith but he removed Bell, Bairstow and Prior quickly to hand some of the control back to his side. England still have some runs in their locker and they'll be desperate to move closer to 350 tomorrow morning.

That's enough from me today. Thanks for following our coverage and make sure you return at 10.30am tomorrow for day two. Goodbye.