Early wicket boosts England

London - An aggressive last-wicket partnership of 48 and an early wicket boosted England on day two of the second Ashes Test at Lord's on Friday, as Australia were 42/1.

Australia lost Shane Watson to the last ball before lunch. He stroked six fours but was then lbw for 30 to Tim Bresnan and wasted one of his team's two reviews in the process.

His opening partner Chris Rogers, batting on the ground where he is captain of county team Middlesex, was on 12.

England had earlier seen last-wicket pair Stuart Broad (33) and Graeme Swann (28 not out) propel its total to 361 in hot and sunny conditions, to begin a momentum-changing morning session after Australia shaded day one.

Australia fast bowler Ryan Harris claimed 5-72 to secure his name on the famous Lord's honours board, but his personal success after claiming his fourth wicket with the first ball of the day, was undermined by the punchy stand between Broad and Swann.

England resumed on 289-7 from overnight and immediately lost Bresnan for seven to a catch behind from a short Harris ball.

Nightwatchman James Anderson was out to the same combination though managed to contribute towards a helpful stand of 24 with Broad.

Then Swann, batting in the unusual position of No 11, joined Broad to help stretch England's total with a partnership that spanned just 40 balls but was enough to deflate the tourists' mood.

Swann hammered three boundaries off an unusually wayward Harris over near the end of the innings and raised the 350 with a lofted off-drive for three from the bowling of Peter Siddle.

Broad was equally explosive with his intentions and punched Siddle down the ground for four and pulled a six over square leg in the same over. James Pattinson eventually had Broad caught behind to give wicketkeeper Brad Haddin his fifth catch, though Broad unsuccessfully reviewed the decision.

Ian Bell hit 109 for the second straight match after England won the toss on Thursday. He steered his team out of early trouble when it had crashed to 28-3.

England lead the five-match series 1-0 after a 14-run victory in Nottingham.