Joe Root hits 134 as England battle back

Root continues his good form

Joe Root's century and patient Gary Ballance's half-century ensured England's fight back against the Australian pace attack after losing early wickets on the opening day of the first Ashes Test at Cardiff.

After winning the toss, England's captain Alastair Cook decided to bat first as he observed the overcast conditions. Both the English openers fell after scoring measly 6 (Adam Lyth) and 20 (Cook).

It was Root's and Ballance's 4th wicket partnership of 153 runs that brought back the home team in the game. Root continued his great form and scored 134 runs of 166 balls at a strike rate of 80.64.

For Australia, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc picked three wickets each. Hazlewood was the first one to strike early morning when he got Lyth of the full delivery lined at middle and off-stump, which founded thick edge of the bat to fly to slip fielder David Warner.

Cook, playing with the soft hands, edged Nathan Lyon's ball behind the stumps, where keeper Brad Haddin comfortably collected it. Later, the visitors failed to capitalise on these early breaks.

The home team's middle order responded very well and kept England in the game. After Root and Ballance, promising youngster Ben Stokes played a vital knock and contributed 52 to bring the team's total closer to 300.

England's lower order, Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali contributed their part by scoring 27 and 26 runs respectively as the team ended the day on 343 for 7.

Teams for the match:

England: Alastair Cook (Captain), Adam Lyth, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (Wicket-keeper), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson

Australia: David Warner, Chris Rogers, Steven Smith, Michael Clarke (Captain), Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin (Wicket-keeper), Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Jos Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon