Smith questions Bayliss' tactics

Australia's vice-captain Steven Smith has followed up his unbeaten stand of 259 with Chris Rogers by delivering a verbal whack to his former state coach Trevor Bayliss, stating that he was very surprised the former New South Wales mentor allowed England's captain to revert so quickly to the defensive.

It was the first time any member of the Australian squad had offered anything but praise of Bayliss, signalling their intention to take the gloves off in their efforts to square the Investec Ashes series after a poor performance and heavy defeat in the first Test at Cardiff.

"Look I was a little bit surprised that Trevor Bayliss would allow Alastair Cook to have a deep point for as long as he did today to be honest," Smith said matter-of-factly. "I think it was a good pitch to bat on but they got defensive quite quickly. I know that's one thing we're certainly not going to do.

"I think it was a good toss to win and I think we have made the most of the first day which was pretty important for us. We didn't play as well as we could in Cardiff and we copped a lot for that and rightfully so, so it was pretty important for us to start this test well and hopefully we can capitalise and make a big first innings score.

"It's pretty crucial to make this first innings count. The wicket's a little bit slower than it traditionally is here at Lord's, hopefully we can get a big first innings and hopefully the wicket will slow up a little bit and take a little bit of turn and we can get Nathan Lyon into the game nice and early."

Smith's barb was unquestionably deliberate, as he remarked "you're welcome" more than once to expressions of surprise at his words. Alongside Rogers, Smith was intent on making a statement after already having done so with the bat. He was feeling better about life than in Cardiff, when a pair of starts piled on the pressure for him to perform at Lord's following an indifferent run at the ground - he made his debut here in 2010 against Pakistan but had yet to pass 50 entering this match.

"I haven't had a great run at Lord's with the bat in my first couple of games I've played here," he said. "It was something I really wanted to rectify, particularly after last week, I got 33 in both innings and didn't go on with it. I was quite disappointed the way I got out particularly in the first innings to Moeen Ali. I think I played him a lot smarter today, I just waited on his loose balls and didn't look to go after him too much.

"It was extremely satisfying to score runs today and put on such a big partnership with Chris."

There was one moment's fright for Smith, as on 50 he edged Ben Stokes to Ian Bell at second slip, only for the fielder to miss a difficult low chance. Rogers had been similarly lucky when an edge in the day's first over flew over the slips.

"I wanted to really make it count after I gave a chance on 50," he said. "I think that edge kind of maybe made me a little more aware of where my off stump was, I started to leave a little bit better after that and feel more comfortable at the crease."

Smith did not miss again, in the middle nor in the media.