Mitchell Starc makes brutal unwanted history with Ashes axing

The decision to leave Mitchell Starc out of Australia’s XI for the first Ashes Test has resulted in some brutal unwanted history for the paceman.

Starc’s axing was confirmed at the toss on Thursday night, with the Aussies going with Pat Cummins, James Pattinson and Peter Siddle instead.

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Fellow New South Welshman Josh Hazlewood was also left out, with Nathan Lyon occupying the fourth bowling spot.

If Starc’s axing wasn’t already a bitter pill to swallow, it also made him the most-dropped Australian player in Test cricket history.

It marked the 16th time Starc has missed a Test after playing the previous one (through injury or selection), beating Stuart MacGill’s record of 15.

Smith’s ton rescues Australia

Steve Smith picked up right where he left off, brushing aside Edgbaston's barbs and boos to produce one of his "best hundreds" while lifting Australia to a total of 284.

England reached 0-10 at stumps, surviving two overs after Smith's superb knock of 144.

Smith, as was so often the case prior to the Cape Town cheating scandal, looked to be batting on a different pitch to teammates as Broad ignited collapses of 3-33 and 5-23 in Birmingham.

Australia crumbled to 8-122 before Smith, who successfully reviewed his lbw dismissal to Broad on 34 in the 34th over, landed counter-punches with help from Siddle and Lyon.

David Warner and Cameron Bancroft both fell to Broad cheaply but Smith excelled in his Test comeback after a year-long ban, starting cautiously then teeing off as the tiring bowlers ran out of ideas.

There were some boos for Smith upon reaching three figures, a milestone he achieved by pushing a Ben Stokes delivery through the covers and to the rope.

However, plenty of supporters in the sold-out crowd stood and applauded Smith's 24th Test ton that triggered emotive scenes on Thursday.

"I didn't really know what to do to be honest, it's been a long time coming," Smith said of his century celebrations.

"I just saw the boys going berserk on the balcony ... to get to my hundred and give him (Lyon) really big hug and let all my emotions out, that was really special.

"Really proud that I was able to help pull the team out of a little bit of trouble.

"It has got to be one of my best hundreds, definitely."

with AAP