Australia captain Ricky Ponting wins the first toss of cricket's most eagerly anticipated series and chooses to bat

Andrew Flintoff is happy to have old pal Ashley Giles back in the side as England sing the national anthem

The first ball of the series eventually arrives but Steve Harmison sends it embarrassingly wide to second slip

The tourists' optimism is dampened by a flurry of early boundaries from Australia's openers

Justin Langer shows no apprehension despite being hit on the head in his last Test appearance

Just when it seems Australia are in total control, up steps Andrew Flintoff to separate the opening pair

Matthew Hayden's downfall brings Ricky Ponting to the middle and Australia's captain is soon into his stride

With a century seemingly his for the taking, Langer gives it away with a loose stroke

After undergoing two hip operations and fearing his career might be over, the wicket of Damien Martyn is sweet for Giles

A worrying moment for England sees Kevin Pietersen hurt his knee while fielding - but it is nothing serious

There is no stopping Ponting as he completes his 32nd Test century - a repeat of his hundred at Brisbane four years ago

Supporting his captain superbly, Mike Hussey marks his Ashes debut with a half century as the hosts close on 346-3