By Sam Hathaway
November 23 2006

England suffered last night to a strong lucking Australia side. The home team ended the day on 346-3 and England will know they have plenty to do tonight. Ricky Ponting was the hero for the Aussies as the skipper made 137* with Mike Hussey partnering him well.

England started the day poorly with opening bowler Steve Harmison releasing a delivery wide and down to 2nd slip.

Four boundaries then came in his first two over’s and Harmison found himself taken out of the attack with the score past 50 off only 11 over’s.

It was time for the skipper to come up with some magic and he did. It was a breath of fresh air to see Freddie back and bowling like he had over a year ago.

Flintoff released a brilliant delivery which was similar to the one that troubled Adam Gilchrist in the last Ashes series. The Lancastrian angled a brilliant delivery to the left hander of Matthew Hayden which he then edged to 2nd slip where Collingwood took the catch safely.

Ponting was next in and determined to continue the good start his team had made. He was flicking a lot of long hops as England were again starting to suffer from wayward bowling.

The aussies continued to dominate after the Lunch break but super Freddie was rewarded again when Langer, on 82, sliced the ball to Kevin Pietersen at point.

Harmison was now back into the attack and looking a lot better after his dismal display in the morning but still lacking the real venom he had a few years back.

Giles was also back into the attack after a injury filled year. A lot of his critics would have been miffed at why the Warwickshire man was back in the team but he proved them wrong by tempting Martyn into a late cut. He misjudged the bounce and Collingwood caught it with ease.

The next man in was Hussey. A new talent who has being playing in the team for just about a year now and the question was could he keep his cool in the dreaded ashes atmosphere.

He started positively clipping Giles away for four and also scoring off Flintoff.

Ponting eventually got his well deserved hundred as he equalled Steve Waugh's record of 32 three-figure scores.

England were really in a mess as Australia continued to dominate. Flintoff decided to delay the new ball but when he did take it he did not choose Harmison.

England will be disappointed with the first day’s performance but they will take some positives out of it.

Giles will be pleased with figures of 1-51 from 18 over’s after being preferred to Monty Panesar and although Flintoff will be more disappointed about the performance he has every right to be upbeat about his bowling after his long spell out.

The days play starts at 12 AM tonight.