England crumble at The Oval

Siddle: Claimed 4-63

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Fifth npower Test Match
The Brit Oval - Day One
England 307-8 (I R Bell 72, A J Strauss 55, P M Siddle 4-63) v Australia

England let slip a golden opportunity to put pressure on Australia as they closed day one of the decisive fifth and final Ashes Test on 307-8.

Knowing only a win will do with the series level at 1-1, the hosts received the early slice of good fortune they had so desperately wanted when they won the toss, allowing them to bat first on a flat but dry Oval pitch.

Things seemed to be going perfectly when skipper Andrew Strauss (55) and Ian Bell, who made 72 having been promoted up to three in the order, shared a century partnership to take the score to 114-1.

Bogged down

However, from such a promising position the innings became bogged down in the afternoon before collapsing completely after tea.

Not even the fit-again Andrew Flintoff, given a rousing reception when he entered the field for the first time in his final Test appearance, could help turn the tide, the Lancastrian only managing to make seven.

And, despite 41 from debutant Jonathan Trott and Stuart Broad's unbeaten 26, England will be disappointed with their batting performance.

The departure of Alastair Cook for 10 had been the only wicket to fall in the pre-lunch session, the opener edging the impressive Peter Siddle to Ricky Ponting at second slip.

Pushed up to replace the axed Ravi Bopara, Bell was given a working over by Mitchell Johnson in the early stages of his innings, surviving several blows having come to the crease with the floodlights on in gloomy conditions.

The Warwickshire batsman rode his luck on occasions before prospering, putting on a second-wicket stand worth 102.

Unlike his batting partner, Strauss had looked at ease out in the middle from the very outset, driving superbly down the ground on several occasions to reach his half-century.

It therefore came as a surprise when the left-hander carelessly hung out his bat to a wide ball from Ben Hilfenhaus, a thin edge just carrying through to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin behind the stumps.

While it didn't appear so at the time, the loss of their skipper would prove crucial to England. Paul Collingwood (24) helped add 62 before falling into Siddle's trap by driving straight to Michael Hussey at gully.

From then on Australia's disciplined seamers, backed up by the useful part-time off-spin of Marcus North, used heavily after frontline slow bowler Nathan Hauritz was left out of the starting XI, seized control.

Indecisive push

An indecisive defensive push saw Bell chop on the first ball he faced after tea and 181-4 became 229-5 when Matt Prior was bamboozled by a Johnson slower delivery, a loose drive going straight to Shane Watson at point.

Flintoff too perished playing a careless shot, his attempt to drive one thrown out wide by Johnson, despite a lack of footwork, only resulting in an edge through to Haddin.

While others came and went Trott stood firm, striking five crisp boundaries having faced 32 deliveries before managing to get his first.

In the end it took an exceptional piece of fielding to see the back of the South African-born batsman, Simon Katich bravely keeping his eye on the ball at short leg to pouch an attempted flick through mid-wicket before throwing down the stumps with Trott well out of his ground.

Siddle, who finished with 4-63, removed Graeme Swann with the second new ball for 18 in the final over of an eventful day that saw the Australians end up as the happier of the two sides.

It remains to be seen whether they will have the last laugh in a match that will decide who ends up with the miniature urn.