Three quick wickets from the Aussies put England on the back foot.
England went into the second Ashes Test of the series against Australia at Lords with confidence, having beaten the tourists by 14 runs at Trent Bridge on Sunday.
After winning the toss the home side’s captain Alastair Cook opted to bat, a decision the Englishman’s opposite number Michael Clarke said he would have done in the same position.
With the sun blaring in London it looked like a batting pitch, as the Aussies’ bowling attack – with Ryan Harris replacing Mitchell Starc for this match – prepared to take on Cook and Jose Root.
But it wasn’t long until the first breakthrough, when in the fifth over an inspired piece of tactics by Clarke saw all-rounder Shane Watson trap the Three Lions skipper lbw for 12.
Cook didnt review the decision, suggesting it was plum and things got even better shortly after when Harris then dismissed Root in a similar fashion.
This time the hosts did review the lbw call but despite replays showing an edge, it came after the ball had clattered off the pad.
When Harris then had Kevin Pietersen caught behind for just two runs, England were 28-3 and floundering in what was supposed to be ideal conditions for the batsmen.
Fortunately for the holders of the famous urn the ever reliable Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell steadied the ship going into the first interval.
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