Ashes: Smith fires shot at Cook for his defensive approach

Steve Smith, who scored an unbeaten 129 on the first day of the second Ashes Test, took a dig at England skipper Alastair Cook's defensive field setting in the first innings at Lord's.

Contrasting centuries from opener Chris Rodgers and Smith helped Australia propel to a dominating 337 at stumps on the opening day of the second Ashes Test at the historic cricket ground.

Smith said that he was surprised that Trevor Bayliss allowed Cook to have a deep point for as long as he did, adding that it was a good pitch to bat on but England got defensive quite quickly, the Independent reported.

He also said that that was one thing that the Australians are certainly not going to do.

The current number two Test batsman said that they did not play as well as they could in Cardiff and therefore, it was pretty important for them to start well in this Test.

Smith and Rodgers shared an unbeaten stand of 259 to put the Ashes holders in a commanding position after they were comprehensively beaten by the hosts in the first Test at Cardiff.