Australia’s Steve Smith proves to be fighting fit as he returns to frustrate England at Old Trafford

England's Ben Stokes (right) reacts after an lbw appeal is rejected.

Steve Smith provided a familiar face of resistance as he returned from concussion to lead Australia to 170-3 on a rain-shortened first day at the fourth Ashes Test.

Forced to sit out at Headingley, where England levelled the series in dramatic fashion last time out, the world’s No 1 batsman was well and truly back in the groove at Emirates Old Trafford, defying the home attack with another unbeaten 60.

England’s day began promisingly, Stuart Broad seeing off both openers with the new ball, but Smith’s stand of 116 with his Leeds stand-in, Marnus Labuschagne, swung things in the tourists’ favour.

Craig Overton, recalled for a first appearance in 18 months, eventually bowled Labuschagne for 67 during a blustery afternoon session but Smith’s continued presence, having scored 144, 142 and 92 in his three previous knocks, was increasingly ominous as England attempted keep the battle for the urn alive in Manchester.

The inclement conditions allowed for just 44 overs in the day, with stumps finally called at 6.10pm, but that was still enough for Smith to bank another two-and-a-half hours of crease occupation, taking his total across four innings to 13 hours. For England, that represents an unlucky number that is only heading in one direction.

Australia captain Tim Paine won the toss on a good looking surface and enthusiastically took up the option of batting first.

His optimism ignored the travails that have besieged his opening batsmen throughout the series and it took a pumped up Broad just four overs to send both back to the pavilion.

Broad has meticulously raked David Warner over the coals in this series and needed just two balls at the left-hander to dismiss him for the fifth time in seven innings.

It was batsman error on this occasion, Warner shaping to leave outside off stump but leaving his bat hanging to leave Yorkshire’s Jonny Bairstow a simple catch.

Broad exploded in delight as he was mobbed by team-mates, leaving Warner to stomp off having bagged the first back-to-back ducks of his career.

Archer started with a solid but unremarkable stint at the James Anderson End but it was Broad whose nagging full length was causing problems. He worked away at Marcus Harris before getting his man, rapping him high on the front pad and persuading Kumar Dharmasena to raise his finger.