Ponting takes control

Australia got their bid to retain The Ashes off to the perfect start today, when they finished the first days play at 346/3.

As expected, Michael Clarke replaced Shane Watson at No.6 for the Aussies, while Stuart Clark was preferred to Mitchell Johnson as the third seamer.

England decided to go with just one spinner, choosing Ashley Giles instead of Monty Panesar, while James Anderson got the third seamers role.

After winning the toss, the delight on Ricky Ponting’s face was there for all to see as he decided to bat without any hesitation.

England got off to an ominous start from the very first ball, which Steve Harmison sent flying straight to second slip for one of the widest wides one will ever see.

Unfortunately for England, this inconsistency was all too common from their opening pacemen, with Matthew Hoggard also struggling, thereby allowing Langer and Hayden to play some expansive strokes while getting off to a flyer.

Harmison was replaced after just two overs by James Anderson , but he fared no better, as the openers raced away and threatened to put the innings out of reach at such an early stage.

However, with the score on 79, who else but Andrew Flintoff provided the breakthrough, with a peach of a delivery that Hayden could only nudge to Collingwood in the slips. It was a deserved wicket for Flintoff, who had been the only English bowler to show any conviction.

Ricky Ponting then strode to the crease, and comfortably batted out the rest of the session with Justin Langer, with the score on 109/1 at lunch, and Langer already having gone some way to answering his critics, unbeaten on 68.

England came out for the second session hoping for some quick wickets to get themselves back in the game, but their first three overs were thrashed for 28 runs.

It seemed to be just a matter of time before Langer brought up his century, but on 82, he smashed a rare loose delivery from Flintoff straight to Pietersen, who finally took an Ashes catch after dropping six last year, leaving Australia on 141/2.

The English joy was shortlived though, as Martyn came to the crease and immediately looked at ease, while Ponting was dominating the bowling from his end. However, after adding 57 runs for the third wicket, the partnership was broken as Martyn played a poor late cut straight to Collingwood at first slip of Ashley Giles, who seemed to be a rejuvenated bowler after his injury layoff, exhibiting a rare attacking edge to his game.

Mike Hussey then came in and steadied the ship along with Ponting until Tea.

There was a brief scare during the session when Kevin Pietersen’s knee seemed to buckle while fielding, evoking horrific memories of Simon Jones at the same ground. Thankfully, he made a full recovery soon afterwards.

At the interval, Australia were still in control at 217-3, with Ponting unbeaten on 68. England were far from out of it though, and would have fancied their chances if they could pick up a couple of wickets straight after the restart.

The last session of the day, however, was one to forget for England. Seemingly devoid of ideas, their bowlers went through the motions, never threatening Ponting and Hussey, both of him constantly grew in confidence.

For his part, Ponting was displaying some of the form that has made him the undisputed form batsman of test cricket in the recent past. He inevitably brought up a glorious century, and celebrated in style, showing just how eager he was to banish the demons of last year. It was a flawless innings, with the only chance coming when he survived a 50-50 LBW shout off Giles on 72.

At the other end, Hussey was ticking along comfortably, and he reached his 50 with minimal trouble, adding yet another impressive score to his short but brilliant test career. The pair never looked like losing a wicket, and guided Australia to 346-3 at the end of the days play.

After the first days play, England will be under no illusions about just how hard it will be for them to retain the Ashes.

While it is still far too early to judge the team, they will desperately want to restrict the Australians from piling on too heavy a score tomorrow, as much for the sake of saving this Test match as for the psychological side of things.

Day one to Australia, and England will be hoping that days like these are the exception, rather than the norm.

Australia 346-3
Ricky Ponting 137*, Mike Hussey 63*, Justin Langer 82
Andrew Flintoff 2/48, Ashley Giles 1-51