The long awaited Ashes series between England and Australia has commenced yesterday as England put up a good show to finish the first day of the first test match at 336/7 at Cardiff.

England skipper Andrew Strauss won the toss and elected to field first against Australia, but they lost the wicket of A Cook (10) at the score of only 20 runs.

Kevin Petersen (69) and Paul Collingwood were looking in great touch as they put up 138 runs partnership for the fourth wicket before Collingwood returned to pavilion.

England was looking comfortable at the score of 327/4 as P Siddle stroked back with two wickets of well settled A Flintoff (37) and M Prior (56).

M Johnson and B Hilfenhaus took two wickets each while off spinner N Hauritz took price wicket of Kevin Petersen.