Day two and it's a cloudy start with England pushing to get early runs on the board resuming on 336-7. Night-watchman Jimmy Anderson begins brightly with his willow to help frustrate Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting
It's an early strike for the Australians though with Stuart Broad bowled behind his backside by Mitchell Johnson (centre) for a lively 19 runs. Nice knock and Broad can now start warming up for his bowling antics
While the Aussies celebrate, Broad can only watch in despair as his bails tumble. But his runs help England get back on the front foot after a few wobbles at the end of day one. Into the crease comes Graeme Swann
Swann pulls a few fabulous faces as he waggles his blade but it's all very effective. He hits a stunning unbeaten 47 off just 40 balls as England are all bowled out for 435. Time to wind up the bowling arms for the hosts
Australia's only specialist spinner Nathan Hauritz (right) is looking to hold hands with his team-mates after slapping down England's wagging tail-end with the wickets of Anderson and the mighty Monty Panesar
Time for Australia at the crease and Phillip Hughes survives a ripper from Anderson's first ball. The left-hander quickly settles and cuts Anderson and Broad to all corners. Time for lunch nibbles with the Aussies on 39-0
With no joy from England's opening bowlers, it's time for Freddie Flintoff to get involved. And he can't believe it after missing a catching chance to snare Simon Katich
With 60 on the board, Flintoff gets his man. Hughes is flying but plays one cut too many, swishing one through to Matt Prior behind the stumps. An innings of 36 full of fireworks from the 20-year-old
Ravi Bopara takes evasive action as Katich gets stuck into the England bowlers. Panesar, Swann, Broad and co are trying their best but Katich is grinding his team back into this first Test
The fans in Cardiff are transfixed as this opening Ashes Test hangs in the balance. What better way to spend the day than watching this beautiful game armed with a pint and an orange wig? (They are wigs aren't they?)
Ponting initially has a few problems with his radar and picking up England's seamers. But the skipper cranks up the pace and the Aussies stroll back to the pavilion on 142-1 at tea
Spinner Swann is bowling tightly but Ponting and Katich continue to edge the scoreboard along with the Australian pair both knocking steady half-centuries in the final session
Australia are edging slowly towards the 200 mark and still only one wicket down. Perhaps England can buy some luck by sticking their hands on top of their heads. It's not working yet.....
Still no let-up for the England bowlers with Broad going for almost five an over. The race is on for Ponting and Katich to see who can get their century first. England need wickets, England need a miracle
With the second day closing in, Katich wafts his bat and hooks towards the boundary. Could he be caught? Not a chance, it's his century - his eighth in Test cricket and first in the Ashes. Top effort
Apart from one Flintoff wicket, it's Australia's day. They are 249-1. Ponting grabs his century and he's number four on the leading Test run-maker list with 11060 runs at 56.72 in 132 matches. Top captain's innings
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