Photos from Brisbane

Justin Langer compiled his 16th century for Australia to put them in a strong position after the opening day of the first Test against India.

The home side had reached 262-2 when bad light ended play early, with Langer unbeaten on 115.

Partner Damien Martyn was 36 not out, with Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting having made 37 and 54 earlier in the day following a rain-delayed start.

Paceman Zaheer Khan picked up both wickets to fall for figures of 2-53.

Australia went into the game with a new face in their side as left-arm seamer Nathan Bracken won his first Test cap, with Brad Williams left out of the final XI.

India opted to leave out leg-spinner Anil Kumble, and brought in Ajit Agarkar to support new ball bowlers Zaheer and Ashish Nehra.

INDIA IN BRISBANE 1947 Lost by an innings and 226 runs 1968 Lost by 39 runs 1977 Lost by 16 runs 1991 Lost by 10 wickets

Sourav Ganguly chose to put Australia in after winning the toss - a decision which backfired when Nasser Hussain took the same approach for England 12 months ago and which Ganguly himself did so at the World Cup final in March.

Only 43 minutes of play was possible during the morning, but the home side made up for lost time after lunch by taking the attack to the Indian bowlers.

Langer had a lucky break before he had reached double figures when he pulled a delivery from Nehra straight to Akash Chopra only for umpire Steve Bucknor to call a no-ball.

India's frustration increased as he and Hayden put on 73 in 15 overs before Zaheer found the edge of Hayden's bat and VVS Laxman made no mistake with the slip catch.

There was no let-up in momentum, however, with Ponting, who will take over as captain from Steve Waugh at the end of the series, determined to impose himself.

Steve Waugh walks out with Sourav Ganguly for his final Test series

He hit seven fours and also lofted Harbhajan, who dismissed him five times in the 2001 series in India, for a towering six.

Australia had reached 162 when Ponting mis-timed an attempted pull off Zaheer and a top edge was safely taken by wicket-keeper Pathiv Patel.

Langer's composure remained undisturbed, however, as he and Martyn posted a century partnership in only 94 minutes.

The left-hander struck 16 fours and his hundred - his second against India - duly arrived when he swept Harbhajan to the square leg boundary five overs before the close.

Australia: J L Langer, M L Hayden, R T Ponting, D R Martyn S R Waugh (Capt), S M Katich, A C Gilchrist (Wkt), A J Bichel J N Gillespie, S C G MacGill, N W Bracken.

India: A Chopra, V Sehwag, R Dravid, S R Tendulkar, V V S Laxman S C Ganguly (Capt), P A Patel (Wkt), A B Agarkar, Harbhajan Singh Z Khan, A Nehra.