With both sides looking to take the upper hand in the series, England captain Andrew Strauss wins the toss and elects to bat
The Middlesex man opens the batting with Alastair Cook and the pair start well, putting on 50 inside the first hour of play
Their partnership is not faultless, however, with a couple of chances going dangerously close to Australia's waiting fielders
With things not going his way, touring captain Ricky Ponting (right) discusses tactics with Ben Hilfenhaus, who proves to be the pick of his bowlers in the early stages
Cook ups his run rate and overtakes Strauss to become the first of the two to reach a half century with 30 minutes of the first session remaining
His partner also has a chance to reach the milestone before lunch but some tight bowling by Nathan Hauritz restricts him to 47 not out as England reach the interval on 126-0
He does not have to wait too long, however, and reaches 50 early in the second session off the bowling of Hilfenhaus
The situation is further exacerbated for the tourists when Hauritz is led from the field after suffering a dislocated finger attempting to catch a fierce drive from Strauss off his own bowling
Cook looks in imperious form but falls five runs short of a deserved century when he is trapped lbw to Mitchell Johnson
Ravi Bopara comes in at three and makes a quickfire 18 off 19 balls before he too falls foul of an lbw decision, this time off the bowling of Hilfenhaus
The Tasmanian bowler turns provider towards the end of the session, however, allowing Strauss to register his 18th Test century to leave England on 255-2 at tea
The mood of most of the crowd is tempered soon after the break when, for the second match running, Kevin Pietersen fails to make the most of the conditions and nicks Peter Siddle into the gloves of Brad Haddin for 32
After a solid display in the first Test, Paul Collingwood is next in and joins his captain and guides England past the 300 mark
Sadly for him his time at the crease ends almost as soon as the landmark is reached as he miscues a chip over midwicket off Michael Clarke Siddle at mid-on
After being passed fit to play shortly before the start, Andrew Flintoff only manages to fire off a solitary boundary before succumbing to Hilfenhaus in disappointing fashion
Having enjoyed a great start, the hosts show signs of wavering when Matt Prior is cleaned up by an inswinger from Johnson, leaving his side on 316-5
But, aided by Stuart Broad, Strauss passes 5,000 Test runs as he bats through to finish on 161 not out to help England end day one on 364-6
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