Steve Smith has admitted that it was "very important" for Australia to attack England on day one of the second Ashes Test.

The tourists reached 337-1 at the close of play at Lord's, with Smith hitting an unbeaten 129.

Meanwhile, teammate Chris Rodgers also starred with the bat thanks to a score of 158 not out as the Aussies looked to get themselves back on track after losing the first Test in Cardiff.

"That was very important after Cardiff," Smith is quoted as saying by BBC Sport. "The pitch was a little bit slow and if you got in you needed to go big.

"Today was more about waiting for the bad ball and putting it away - I wanted to make it count today and get up on that board. It was about keeping them out there for as long as possible. We'll probably keep batting for a little while (tomorrow) and try and post a big first-innings total."

Smith has now scored 10 Test centuries for Australia, with four of those coming against England.