England have their noses in front at the end of the first day in Cardiff, putting on 343 runs for the loss of seven wickets.
The home side won the toss and elected to bat, but they stumbled early, losing Adam Lyth in the second over after an outside edge from Josh Hazlewood carried to Dave Warner in the slips.
FIRST ASHES TEST – FULL SCOREBOARD
The seaming ball continued to trouble the English batsmen, making it hard for number three Gary Ballance and Alastair Cook to get bat on ball.
Nathan Lyon was brought on just after drinks, and quickly made an impact, with Cook edging the ball into Haddin’s gloves in the 14th over.
At this stage England were in trouble, being down two wickets for only 42 runs on the board, so all eyes were on Ian Bell to see if he could steady the ship.
Unfortunately for England, Bell was hot on Cook’s heels, only scoring one run before his footwork failed him, getting out lbw to Mitch Starc.
It was Joe Root, after being dropped on nought by Haddin, who steadied the ship, and with the help of Ballance they managed to ride out the storm until lunch, leaving the field at 3/88.
The English batsmen were looking for runs after lunch, and some lacklustre bowling let Root and Ballance both get to 50, as well as reach their 100-run partnership, leaving the field for tea in a much better position, 3/190.
The tea break proved fortunate for Australia, who finally got a breakthrough from Hazlewood, catching Ballance lbw on the third ball after tea, out for 61.
Ben Stokes was the next in, and he quickly took up where Ballance left off, before Joe Root edged the ball to Watson at first slip, falling for 134 from 166 balls.
The chatter from Stokes had picked up as he moved further towards his 50, but he was silenced a few balls later as a great ball from Starc clattered into the stumps, sending Stokes back to the sheds on 52.
With Root and Stokes out, it was left to keeper Jos Buttler and Ashes debutant Moeen Ali to wrap up the day’s play, and they progressed at a good rate to their 50-run partnership, before Buttler holed out Johnson at midwicket, falling for 27 in the 86th over.
Poor ball control and a few unlucky chances cost Australia on day one, Hazlewood being the pick of the bowlers, taking 3/70 from his 22 overs.
Jean Smith
Guest
England may have 343 runs but today is another day and the game isn't over yet. The Aussies might get things going there way again, sometimes it can be a bit like a pendulum.
Jean Smith
Guest
England may have 343 runs but today is another day and the game isn't over yet. The Aussies might get things going there way again, sometimes it can be a bit like a pendulum.
James
Guest
really nice first day, ordinary bowling from australia but also a few early cheap wickets by england. 400 would be nice especially after losing 3 for not much at all at the start. harris is a huge loss for australia already.
Will
Guest
I dont think England are way in front at all. Sure, runs on the board is nice but Cardiff is a flat track. Eng v Sri Lanka in 2011 is a perfect template for what Australia needs to do from here.
Will
Guest
Shades of Cardiff day 1 in 2009 in this game. Some early wickets, followed by a partnership, followed by some late cheap wickets. England, at this stage, have to be happy with their they are in the game but if they fail to make 400 then they are under par on this wicket. Australia could then counter with a decent first innings score and look to put Eng under pressure in the second innings. Pretty simple formula.
Grand Armee
Guest
As an England fan, I am happy with 343 on the board, but only if we can go on with the job a bit further, and not collapse very quickly today. Unfortunately, Australia's bowlers will be fresher and fired up tomorrow, so Broad better get ready for some bouncers. I hope Broad can tough it about a bit, and hang around with Ali. An Ali 50 would take some pressure of his bowling in two ways: a higher score to defend against; and some confidence that he can play a strong role in this series. An Ali 50, and Broad making a contribution of 20-30 would really set us up. Then Wood and Jimmy can just have a wild swing or two.
Jackson Wood
Roar Pro
If they didn't only have bowlers left in the sheds, I'd agree with you. I think they'll probably make it to 400, but I reckon it'll be tough for them to get much further than that.
Pope Paul vii
Guest
I reckon they are way in front but who knows where it will go from here.
DJW
Guest
Hard to tell what is par on this wicket but Australia definitely won’t be happy with there bowling for large parts of the day. They built the last series win on building pressure by tight bowling. The ball was swinging just wasn’t put in the right spot enough. If Jimmy Anderson gets similar conditions he could make it pretty tough for the Aussies. 343 on the board after the first day of an Ashes series I think you be pretty happy as the batting team. Especially if they add a few more on day 2. Root will be full of confidence for the series now, Ballance might be feeling ok after toughing it out. Australia would have liked to keep the foot on the throat from last series so I think England would be happy with there day. Hopefully we can knock them over quickly tomorrow then when we bat it will give us a real idea about the pitch and par scores
mickh
Guest
Very poor bowling at times and some missed chances, particularly Haddins drop of Root gave England more than a nose in my opinion. Root batted superbly. He's such a good striker of the ball when he gets going. If Haddin takes that catch we'd probably be batting by now. We must be sharper from here on.