Ashes 2019 | It was a wonderful experience, hopefully it's not over, says Rory Burns

Going into the Ashes, England’s biggest worry was about their top-order batting. The struggles found a new low when the team was skittled for 85 by Ireland in the first innings of last week's Test.

For the first Ashes test, Jason Roy teamed up with Rory Burns to become England’s eighth different opening partnership in three years – 16th since Andrew Strauss’ retirement in 2012. Skipper Joe Root promoted himself to no. 3, to provide some solidity at the top. Still, much wasn’t expected out of them, as a unit, on day two at Edgbaston. 

Roy's innings never got going, and he was edged off by James Pattinson. But a sturdy innings from Burns saw him become the first England opener other than Alistair Cook to score a Test century in four years.

"I have done that before in county cricket so do have experience to draw upon. I literally bury my head in the sand to all comments in the media and get teammates and coaches around me who back me and try to back my own skills. It was a wonderful experience and hopefully I am not done yet,” Burns told Reuters after stumps on day two.

Burns looked nervous throughout the innings, surviving plenty of close calls. As he neared the milestone, the battle only got harder. He faced 35 balls while in the 90s – with nine dot balls on 99  – and needed a quick single, to scrap through to his century. Former Surrey teammate, Kumar Sangakkara, watched on from the stands in appreciation. 

"To come here and look so organised and do his job so well shows great mental strength and that's really key. It was an excellent display of opening the batting. I don't think he will have had any doubts about his ability," Sangakkara said.

Although Root missed out on three figures again, his 42nd Test half-century, and a solid unbeaten 38 from vice-captain Ben Stokes, meant England reach 267 for four at stumps. With Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali still waiting in the shed, England will have to capitalise on the platform that Burns had provided, to post a big first innings score.