England trail by 274 runs at stumps on day 1 in the first Ashes Test; Smith scores 144 runs to take Australia to 284 in its first innings in Birmingham.

Steve Smith marked his first Test since completing a 12-month ban for his role in a ball-tampering scandal with a superb century to rescue Australia on the opening day of the Ashes series on Thursday.

Australia were in dire straits against England in Birmingham at 122-8 but their last two wickets more than doubled the score and Smith was last man out for 144 in a total of 284.Rory Burns and Jason Roy then survived two over’s as the hosts ended the day on 10-0.