Morning session
England 98-2 at lunch After two days of glorious sunshine as the UK enjoyed a rare summer heat haze, England were tasked with batting in overcast conditions on the first morning of the Test. The cloud cover certainly buoyed the unheralded – by all but Mickey Arthur – Australian bowlers, who found considerable swing. Alastair Cook, England's captain, was the first to fall, caught at the wicket off Darren Pattinson, while Joe Root was undone by a swinging yorker by Peter Siddle.
Afternoon session
England 185 for six at tea Siddle became the first bowler this year's Ashes to take five wickets, as he took all four that fell in a session in which England added 87 runs. The seamer did not warrant much air time in the lead up to this series, even though he is higher ranked in the ICC player ratings than any of James Anderson, Stuart Broad or Graeme Swann. That said, his wickets were donated to him by the English batsmen, with Jonathan Trott, above, and Matt Prior playing particularly loose shots.
Evening session
England 215 all out. Australia 75 for four at the close If the first two sessions were slow burners, this was the one when the Ashes caught fire. First England crumbled, with Mitchell Starc taking two wickets in two balls for the away side. Almost immediately after the turnaround Steven Finn was on a hat-trick, too, after the tall fast bowler sent back Shane Watson and Ed Cowan in successive deliveries. Anderson removed Michael Clarke, Australia's captain, with a stunning delivery and Australia stumbled to 75 for four by stumps.
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