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Cardiff: A superb century from Joe Root helped England to a positive 343-7 after they had made a shaky start to day one of the first Ashes Test in Cardiff.
The 24-year-old joined Gary Ballance at 43-3 after Adam Lyth (6), Alastair Cook (20) and Ian Bell (1) all fell cheaply.
Root added 153 with Ballance (61), and 84 with Ben Stokes, before falling to Mitchell Starc for 134 from 166 balls.
Starc bowled Stokes (52) to end with 3-84, while Josh Hazlewood claimed 3-70, as Australia regained some control.
Opting to bat first, England failed to get a promising start as they were reeling at 43-3 after losing both openers Alastair Cook (20) and Adam Lyth (6) cheaply. Ian Bell continued to struggle with his form and was eventually trapped lbw by Mitchell Starc for a mere one run.
However, vice-captain Joe Root joined forces with Gary Ballance to steady the ship as the duo punished Australia's much-vaunted bowling attack on a slow surface by sharing a solid 153-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
While Root smacked a magnificent 134, Ballance provided an able support in their stand by scoring 61.
All-rounder Ben Stokes then contributed 52 runs before Starc pulled the game back for the tourists by removing Root and Stokes in quick succession.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler (27) looked set for a big knock before falling prey to a Hazelwood's delivery.
Starc and Josh Hazlewood were the pick of the bowlers for Australia as both claimed three wickets each.
Moeen Ali and Stuart Broad will resume their innings on their respective scores of 26 and 0 tomorrow.
Brief scores
England - 343/7 (Root 134, Ballance 61, Stokes 52, Hazlewood 3-70, Starc 3-84)
