Ashes 2017, Australia vs England, 1st Test: Day 2 at The Gabba

Australian critics questioned the quality of the England squad ahead of the first Test, and veteran Australian players David Warner and Nathan Lyon attracted headlines for some hostile commentary about the series. Australia's David Warner, left, celebrates with Tim Paine after getting the wicket of England's Jake Ball during the Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Brisbane.

After adding 50 without loss to the overnight total, Malan's dismissal ended his 83-run fifth-wicket stand with Moeen Ali 38 and triggered a collapse as England lost three wickets for four runs. Australia's Cameron Bancroft attempts to catch the ball during the Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Brisbane.

The rain-affected first day yielded four wickets but the second, in sunny sub-tropical conditions, produced 10 wickets after England resumed at 1964. England's Stuart Broad appeals for the wicket of Australia's Shaun Marsh, left, with bat in hand, during the Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Brisbane, Australia.

An 89-run partnership between Smith, who scored his 22nd Test half-century, and recalled No. 6 Shaun Marsh, who was unbeaten on 44, salvaged the innings after Australia slumped to 764 at the start of Friday's evening session. Australia's Steve Smith waves at the crowd after he reached 50 runs during the Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Brisbane.

So far, England has been the more settled of the teams, sticking to batting plans to keep the big Australian pacemen bowling plenty of overs - Ashes rookies James Vince 83, Mark Stoneman 53 and Dawid Malan 56 all posting half centuries - and executing well-devised strategies in the field to pick off the home team's top order. England's Stuart Broad, second from right, celebrates with his team after getting the wicket of Australia's Cameron Bancroft, during the Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Brisbane.