Ponting puts Australia on front foot

Cricket: Ricky Ponting hit a crucial century to continue his phenomenal run of form and ensure Australia dominated the opening…

Cricket:Ricky Ponting hit a crucial century to continue his phenomenal run of form and ensure Australia dominated the opening day of the Ashes series at the Gabba.

The Australian captain maintained his devastating form since losing the Ashes 14 months ago by hitting his seventh century in the last 14 innings and deflate England's hopes of making a positive start at the Gabba.

Ponting hit 15 boundaries in his century and made the most of winning the toss to guide Australia to a commanding 282 for three after 67 overs having dominated the majority of the opening day.

The reigning ICC player of the year and Test player of the year punished England's wayward bowling despite two wickets from rival captain Andrew Flintoff.

READ MORE

It was his 32nd Test century, drawing his level with Steve Waugh as the most centuries scored by an Australian, and leaving him joint fourth on the all-time list.

Today's century was also one of his most enjoyable judging by the dance of delight he produced after reaching three figures by clipping Matthew Hoggard through midwicket for three.

His superb display must have reminded England about their disastrous opening day to the corresponding Test four years ago when then captain Nasser Hussain decided to bowl first after winning the toss and then watched Australia pile up a daunting 364 for two.

This time around England had no choice in the matter, but would still have hoped to set the tone for the series with an aggressive opening from their new ball bowlers similar to Lord's in 2005, when Steve Harmison hit Justin Langer in the opening over.

Instead of signalling their aggressive intent, however, England struggled to find their rhythm from the moment the first ball of the match from Harmison was so wide it had to be collected by Flintoff at second slip.

Harmison went on to conceded nine runs in the opening over and two more boundaries from Langer in his next over persuaded Flintoff to spare Harmison any more punishment and replaced him from the Stanley Street End with James Anderson.

England's only cause for optimism during the early stages came when Matthew Hoggard, who had been spared the punishment from the Vulture Street End, induced Matthew Hayden into a false stroke on nine which flew past Ian Bell's dive at gully for four.

That bowling combination at least stemmed Australia's run flow for a number of overs, but could not prevent Langer cutting through point for four in the 11th over of the day from Anderson to bring up the half-century partnership in only 48 minutes.

The drinks interval seemed to galvanise England, though, and after Langer brought up his half-century off only 66 balls with a single off Flintoff, the England captain struck two balls later by squaring up Hayden with a lifting delivery he guided to second slip.

Flintoff remained England's most potent bowler after the interval and halted Australia's lighting-quick start after lunch when they plundered 26 in the first three overs of the afternoon session.

That run spree was ended when Langer attempted one shot too many by cutting a rare loose delivery from Flintoff straight to Kevin Pietersen at point having hammered 13 boundaries in his 82.

Any grounds for optimism were countered by the growing confidence of Ponting, who entered this match having hit eight centuries in his last 11 Tests to average 81.35 during that period.

He quickly combined with new batsman Martyn, who took an immediate liking to Giles by advancing down the pitch and launching him down the ground for four.

But Giles got his revenge three overs later when Martyn attempted a late cut but this time found the safe hands of Paul Collingwood for an unexpected breakthrough.

It was to be England's last glimpse of success for some time as Ponting teamed up with new batsman Mike Hussey in an unbroken 80-run stand which helped him reach his sixth Ashes century.