England Vs Australia 1st Test

Ashes 2019: Steve Smith is a perfectionist and it was there for everyone to witness on Day 1 at Edgbaston

Steve Smith went from nervous moments at 104/4 in Australia's inning to giving the bowlers something to bowl at following his 144 run knock in first Ashes Test in Birmingham.

Ashes 2019: Steve Smith savours 1st Test century after fearing ball tampering scandal would end career

Steve Smith's 24th Test century was his first international hundred since he returned to Australia duty during a World Cup where he made 85 in last month's Edgbaston semi-final defeat by eventual champions England.

Ashes 2019: Steve Smith leads Australia's fight back with heroic 144 on Day 1 of Edgbaston Test

Smith and Peter Siddle came to the rescue of Australia's first innings with an 88-run partnership for the ninth wicket at Edgbaston, and Smith then shared 74 runs with Nathan Lyon for the last wicket in an extraordinary turnaround.

Ashes 2019: Injury scare for James Anderson as fast bowler undergoes scan after calf 'tightness' on Day 1 of first Test

Anderson, 37, had been struggling to be fit for the series opener due to a calf injury picked up while playing for his county, Lancashire, in early July, but was passed fit on Wednesday to play.

Ashes 2019: Jofra Archer overlooked for opening Test against Australia as England announce playing XI

Archer, who has been struggling with a side injury, was omitted from an original 14-man squad along with fellow pacemen Sam Curran and Olly Stone, who both featured in last week's Test win against Ireland.