Australia have won the first Ashes Test with a day to spare, beating England by 381 runs in Brisbane.

Mitchell Johnson took five wickets on day four at The Gabba, as the tourists were bowled out for 179.

England, who began the day on 24-2, maintained their faint hopes of avoiding defeat during the first hour of play, with Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen adding 48 runs to their side's total at a rate of over three an over.

However, Pietersen then perished to a short delivery from Johnson when he miscued an effort to substitute fielder Chris Sabburg, who took an easy catch in the deep.

After reaching lunch three down and 462 runs behind, captain Cook completed his half-century.

Ian Bell then departed with 32 runs from 70 deliveries when Peter Siddle claimed his first wicket of the innings, as Brad Haddin took a smart catch off an outside edge.

With England on 142-4, play was interrupted as a hail storm hit Brisbane.

Following a 90-minute delay, which included tea, Nathan Lyon got rid of Cook (65) as Haddin took a stunning catch.

Matt Prior's awful form with the bat continued as England's Player of the Year played at a leg-side delivery and paid the ultimate price when David Warner took a decent catch at leg-gully.

Johnson then dismissed Stuart Broad (4) and Graeme Swann (0) in the same over to leave the tourists on 151-8.

A second rain delay came with England on 160-8. When the players returned to the field, there was just over an hour of the day left. That proved to be plenty of time for Australia to wrap up a comprehensive victory.

Harris took the penultimate wicket by getting rid of Chris Tremlett (7) with a little help from Lyon at short-leg.

Joe Root then appeared to have been run out by Lyon, but the off break bowler had broken the stumps with his elbow.

Australia did not have to wait long, though, as Johnson got James Anderson (2) caught and bowled to end the match. Root ended unbeaten on 26.