Ian Bell completed a third straight Ashes century, but a late three-wicket spell from part-time spinner Steven Smith put the second Ashes Test between England and Australia right back in the balance.
England ended the first day at Lord's on 289 for seven with Bell making a brilliant 109. However, just when England looked in control, only four wickets down for 200-odd, Michael Clarke's punt on Smith paid off with the leggie taking the wickets of Bell, Jonny Bairstow and Matt Prior.
"We'd take where we are tonight having been three down early this morning," Bell said.
"It's a real good day's Test cricket, a real fight all the way through. The important thing for us now is to try and win the first hour against the new ball."
Bell was pleased to score his second consecutive century for England, having played an attritional innings in the second innings of the first Test at Trent Bridge.
"That's what I want to do as much as I can," he said of scoring tons. "I've done it a little bit over the last couple of years now so it's nice again to come out and do that.
"But the important thing is, like I said, to try and get as big a first-innings score as we can on a pretty good wicket."
Australia paceman Ryan Harris, who was the pick of the bowlers, was impressed with the way Bell performed on Thursday.
"The way he batted in Nottingham, he batted time," Harris said. "At times he gets a bit slow but it's perfect the way he needs to play.
"We spoke about it, our batters modeling themselves a bit on him and taking their time. He did the same today. I thought he batted well.
"When he is in this form -- he's going well -- we found out last time in Australia he's hard to get out and he values his wicket.
"He's a guy that I think you have to get early. He's batted well and got a good start and built on that very well."
To watch England vs Australia Live Stream for U.S. viewers, click here.
Viewers in the U.K. can click here.
