Birmingham: Australia's Steven Smith marked his return to Test cricket with a hundred on the opening day of the Ashes series against England at Edgbaston yesterday. The former captain was playing his first match at this level since completing a 12-month ban for his role in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa last year. Australia were struggling at 17-2 when Smith walked into bat. But Smith, with just last man Nathan Lyon for company, completed his 24th Test century and ninth against England when he cover-drove all-rounder Ben Stokes for his ninth four in 184 balls faced.

Smith was the last Australian wicket to fall when he was bowled by Stuart Broad for 144 as Australia finished at 284 in their first innings. Earlier, Broad (5-86) and Chris Woakes (3-58) tore through Australia's batting line-up on the opening day of the first Ashes Test with Smith fighting a lone battle to keep the World Cup winners at bay.