Australia lead England by 34 in first Test - Ashes 2019

England is once again searching for a way to remove Australia's Steve Smith after a see-saw third day left the first Ashes Test deliciously poised.

Smith, who crafted a superb 144 in the first innings, moved serenely to 46 not out to take the tourists to 124-3, a lead of 34 when bad light ended play early at Edgbaston.

At 27-2, Australia was in danger of being blown out of the contest on Saturday evening, only for Smith - in his first Test since returning from a year-long ban - to add 48 with Usman Khawaja and an unbroken 49 with Travis Head.

Former captain Smith silenced a riotous crowd, one that was baying for Australian misery when David Warner was dismissed and, earlier, during a ninth-wicket stand of 65 between Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad.

Woakes made 37 not out and Broad 29 to rescue England from a collapse of four wickets for 18 runs, which included 3-4 in 11 balls.

They helped the hosts to 374 all out and a first-innings advantage of 90, which seemed about the minimum required to negate the challenge of batting last on a surface offering increasing amounts of turn.

However, the pitch is also losing pace, removing the encouragement on offer for the pace bowlers.

In their quest to dislodge Smith and run through Australia on Sunday, England again looks set to be without their all-time leading wicket-taker James Anderson, who batted but did not bowl on Saturday because of a calf injury.

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Hosts' batting was an 'embarrassment' - Michael Vaughan

England were an "embarrassment" in being bowled out for 85 before lunch on day one of the Test against Ireland, says former captain Michael Vaughan.

After electing to bat, the hosts struggled to play the moving ball at Lord's, with Tim Murtagh taking 5-13.

Ireland, playing their third Test, were dismissed for 207, with England closing on 0-0, trailing by 122 runs.

"When the ball does anything you shut your eyes and hope England get through it," Vaughan told Test Match Special.

"There were some good balls but there was also some timid play and poor strokes.

"Let's be honest, it's an embarrassment - you're at the home of cricket, in a Test against Ireland and you're all out for 85, there is no other word to describe it."

England have now lost all 10 wickets in a single session four times since 2016, having previously not done so since 1938.

"All out for 85 against Ireland is probably the lowest of the low out of those," added Vaughan.

"Unless they change their mentality when playing the moving ball, there are going to be many more days like this over the coming weeks.

"You wouldn't want to have third day Test tickets for the Ashes."

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