Smith and Cox steer England to 248-9 in rain-hit Lord's Test

On the first day of the second Rothesay Test at Lord’s, England posted 248-9 despite a wet, gloomy surface that delayed play and forced an early close due to fading light. Jamie Smith contributed 61 runs, while Jordan Cox, in only his third Test, made 55, forming a 67-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Gus Atkinson boosted the total with an unbeaten 34 near the end of the innings.

Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Mohammad Abbas with four wickets and Mohammad Ali with three, kept the English scoring rate in check. England’s fielding faltered, with three catches dropped, and the weather outlook predicts more rain for the coming days, adding uncertainty to the match’s progression.