Ton-up Smith turns tide for Australia in Ashes opener

Steve Smith marked his first Test since completing a 12-month ban for his role in a ball-tampering scandal with a superb century to rescue Australia on the opening day of the Ashes series on Thursday.

Australia were in dire straits against England in Birmingham at 122-8 but their last two wickets more than doubled the score and Smith was last man out for 144 in a total of 284.

Rory Burns and Jason Roy then survived two overs as the hosts ended the day on 10-0.

Former captain Smith, who returned to Australia duty during the recent World Cup that England won, was subjected to repeated jeers by a partisan crowd.

But he answered the boos in style with his first international century since his ban and his 24th in Tests.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet," Smith told BBC Radio. "Obviously been a while since I've been able to put on the whites and the baggy green (cap).

"I'm really proud of the way I was able to stand up today. We were in a bit of trouble there and we had to dig deep on a wicket