Australia coach backs under-fire Smith as opener for series against India
Rubbing salt to the injury, the 34-year-old Smith could only manage 51 runs from four knocks during the recently-completed 2-0 series victory over New Zealand.
Skipper Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh strengthened Australia at the middle-order, helping the hosts reach 165/4 at stumps after a hesitating start on the second day of the first Ashes Test in Brisbane on Friday.
Smith scored 64 runs (not out) with the help of six boundaries, while Marsh remained unbeaten for 44 runs seeking his eighth Test fifty.
After bowling out England for 302 runs, Australia made a faltering start as they lost their top-order batsmen Cameron Bancroft (5), David Warner (26) and Usman Khawaja (11) inside first 20 overs of their innings.
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No.5 batsman Peter Handscomb also lost his wicket cheaply as pacer James Anderson trapped him LBW for 14 runs.
Besides Anderson, Stuart Broad, Jake Ball and Moeen Ali were the successful campaigners for the visitors in Australian innings.
With an 89-run partnership stand for the fifth-wicket, Smith and Marsh brought Australia closer to the English side. At stumps, Australia were trailing England by 137 runs with six wickets remaining in the first innings.
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