Good morning everyone. I think we've been made to wait too long for this third Test, don't you? The Ashes is back. Sports Mole will be taking you through the next five days of Test cricket at Old Trafford.

BREAKING NEWS: No time wasted at Old Trafford. Australia have won the toss and Michael Clarke elects to bat first. Full team news to follow in the next posts.

AUSTRALIA: Watson, Rogers, Khawaja, Clarke, Smith, Warner, Haddin, Siddle, Starc, Lyon, Harris

ENGLAND: Cook, Root, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Bairstow, Prior, Bresnan, Broad, Swann, Anderson

Plenty to take in following the announcement of the two teams. David Warner makes his return after scoring a century for Australia 'A' and he'll take the place of Phil Hughes, while Nathan Lyon replaces fellow spinner Ashton Agar. Mitchell Starc comes back into the side due to James Pattinson's injury.

England added three new players to their squad for this game but they have chosen to stick with the same team that secured that big victory at Lord's. Kevin Pietersen has proved his fitness, while Tim Bresnan has fought off Chris Tremlett's challenge to keep his place in the side. Despite his success on this ground, Monty Panesar is not called upon as England choose to rely on Graeme Swann and part-time spinner Joe Root.

Right, did you get all of that? Australia still don't seem to know their best side following two losses. England will be happy to name an unchanged side.

It looks a good toss to win for Clarke's side. The pitch at Old Trafford should be slightly quicker, which the tourists are likely to enjoy. However, they must take advantage of batting first to stand a chance of claiming victory.

England know this batting lineup is fragile, so they will believe that a couple of early wickets could spark a collapse again. Is it Warner's time to shine? The batsman will no doubt get some stick from the English supporters following the incident with Root in a Birmingham bar. However, we've seen that he does have quality in the past, so it's time for him to prove his worth in the middle.

Clarke, speaking at the toss: "My mindset every time I walk onto the ground is that I want to win every game. I believe we've got the strength of character in our dressing room, and I'm looking forward to batting out here today."

Cook: "We'd have had a bat as well. It's muggy so hopefully the ball will swing this morning and put some pressure on the top order. [On the squad] We had all the bases covered. It's a long series, it's important we set the tone in this first hour and hopefully Jimmy and Broady can do that for us."

Excitement is beginning to build around Old Trafford. The ground is in fantastic shape following the refurbishments and new builds over the last couple of years. Will this be the venue where England retain the Ashes?

The action is just a few minutes away. Rogers and Watson have a lot to prove, so they will be desperate for a solid session of batting. Watson may have those lbw dismissals replaying in his head once again.

Cook leads his side out to a standing ovation. Brilliant atmosphere already at Old Trafford. Australia's openers are out in the middle too. We're almost ready to begin.

It will be James Anderson, on his home ground, to bowl the first over of the match with the new ball. There should be some encouragement for the bowlers early on.

Anderson finds a great length to Watson early in the over and the batsman is happy to get off strike with a thick edge into the off-side. The bowler pushes one across Rogers, who opens the face of his bat slightly to pick up four through third-man. Left-handed Rogers blocks out the remainder of the over. Good start for Australia.

Predictably, it is Stuart Broad who will share the new ball with Anderson. Broad is currently on 199 Test wickets.

Broad has started with a wider length to Watson, who will still be wary of the delivery that comes back into his pads. Watson attacks a fuller ball, with his shot slicing over point for four more runs. Broad does bring one back, but his line isn't quite right and Watson defends well.

Rogers pushes Anderson through cover for a couple of runs. Anderson persists with the out-swinger but Rogers knows where his off-stump and leaves well. Solid start for the tourists.

Broad beats the bat on two occasions as he nips the ball away from Watson early in the over. The opener then leaves confidently due to the extra pace and bounce in this pitch. Broad seems to be enjoying the extra pace too as he completes a good maiden over.

Rogers steers the ball through the off-side for two as Anderson comes round the wicket. A full in-swinger makes life uncomfortable for Rogers, who does well to get a thick edge on the ball to pick up two more. Rogers is doing a good job of playing the ball as late as possible and he ends the over by nudging a single through cover to keep the strike.

Broad is slightly to full to Rogers, who drives through extra cover for three. Watson keeps out the straight ball and even earns a single to fine-leg. Superb shot from Rogers as he punches the ball through mid-wicket for four runs. Good signs for the Middlesex veteran this morning.

Watson plays across the line to Anderson, but he makes contact with the ball to collect a run to deep square-leg. There's definitely some movement for the bowler, who then pushes Rogers onto the back foot with a shorter ball. A fuller delivery is driven powerfully through the covers for four more by Rogers. Positive batting from Australia at the moment.

Big appeal for lbw from England as Broad strikes Watson on the pads. There's a shake of the head from the umpire and it looks like it was probably too high, so there's no review. Broad delivers a shorter ball and Watson rocks back to pull the ball behind square for four runs. Watson leaves outside off-stump. Broad is testing the right-handed batsman but he's been met by some good batting so far.

Anderson is desperate to encourage the loose drive but Rogers has looked solid this morning and he shows his class with a push through extra cover for four runs. The bowler fires in a shorter delivery but that's kept out well. Just the boundary from the over.

Risky from Watson as he slices a drive just short of Pietersen at point. Broad is left disappointed, but he'll be happy to see that shot being played. A quick single is taken midway through the over. Rogers ensures he'll keep the strike with an easy run from the final ball.

First change of the day as Bresnan comes back into the attack to replace Anderson.

Good start for Bresnan as he settles on a straight line to Rogers, who struggles to pick the gaps in the field. Maiden over from the Yorkshire seamer.

Broad continues his testing spell to Watson, who is inches away from dragging the ball onto his stumps when he drives wildly. Rogers keeps out one that nips back towards his pads from over the wicket. Broad delivers wider ball and Rogers hangs his bat out to steer the ball through third-man for four more. Watson 13* Rogers 31*

Bresnan begins with a couple outside off-stump before tightening his line to beat Watson's edge with a beauty. Watson is once again unsure where his drive has sliced to, but he ends the over by collecting two runs to third-man. Good bowling from Bresnan.

Broad changes tactics midway through the over as he delivers a yorker to Watson, who digs the ball out to pick up two runs. There's still something in it for the seamers but England haven't taken advantage yet. Time for a drinks break.

Australia have definitely had the better of the first hour. Watson has played a couple of risky shots but the most important thing is that the tourists are yet to lose a wicket. Rogers 31* Watson 18*

Rogers reaches the rope straight after the short break with a late drive past point for four. That boundary brings up the fifty partnership. Even better from Rogers as he displays perfect balance to drive the next ball down the ground for four more. A flick to fine-leg brings Watson on strike but there's no more runs from the over.

Anderson comes back into the attack following that unusually disappointing opening spell. The bowler, coming from round the wicket, goes full to Rogers and he's met by a powerful shot through the leg-side for four runs. Good reply from Anderson as he finds a leading edge, which drops short of gully. Rogers continues his good form with another boundary through cover to move to 48. HALF-CENTURY! Rogers reaches 52 from just 49 balls with four more runs past point. Excellent batting from the opener this morning. He's been positive and he'll be eyeing a big score. Three boundaries from the over.

Watson is continuing to allow Rogers to be the aggressor as he hands the strike to his partner with a single on the off-side. A wider delivery from Bresnan invites a loose shot but Rogers still earns four through the gap wide of second slip. Pietersen fields well at mid-off to restrict Rogers to just a single a ball later.

England make the breakthrough! Watson seems to have done all the hard work again but he must depart for 19. Bresnan nips the ball away to find the outside edge and allow Cook to take a routine catch at slip. Important period for the batting side before lunch now. Khawaja comes in at number three.

Khawaja found some form in the second innings at Lord's and it's important for him to help Rogers continue Australia's good start.

Two left-handed players at the crease now. Will Cook turn to Swann soon? Anderson continues for now and finds a much better length to Rogers, who is forced to see out a maiden over.

Bresnan continues from over the wicket. Khawaja's defence looks good early in his innings but he can do nothing when Bresnan beats the outside edge with a beauty. Gasps of approval from the slips, but no edge. Maiden over.

Rogers watches Anderson's deliveries swing away from off-stump before nudging the in-swinger into the leg-side for a run. Khawaja is yet to score as he blocks out the remainder of the over. It's time for Swann, decides Cook.

This pitch will spin at some point, but we don't see much turn from Swann in his first over. Rogers uses his feet well to clip a couple of runs into the leg-side, before nudging one more to fine-leg to steal the strike. Decent start for Swann.

Rogers gets off strike early in Anderson's over. The bowler finds a good line to Khawaja, who defends well before nudging his 13th ball into the leg-side for his first run of the day.

Khawaja is eager to use his feet against the spin, but he almost gets himself in trouble when he advances down the pitch. Swann wants lbw but there's a shake of the head from the umpire. England decide the ball didn't do enough and choose not to review the decision. Close! England think they have their second wicket when Khawaja is given out caught behind. The batsman isn't convinced and chooses to use a review.

Amazing. I cannot believe Khawaja is walking off the field. Hotspot fails to show an edge. Replays don't back up the original decision either. However, the decision is not overturned and Khawaja is sent packing. Awful umpiring. Clarke comes to the crease following that shocking decision.

I must admit, I haven't recovered from that decision yet. Broad returns to the attack for a new spell. The bowler is agonisingly close to the outside edge as Rogers flirts with a good delivery outside off-stump. A leg-stump half-volley is then helped to the rope for four runs.

The official line is that the third umpire must have clear evidence to overturn an on-field decision. How much more evidence must their be? Nothing on Hotspot. There was clear daylight between bat and ball. Australia have every right to be angry. Anderson back into the attack.

Anderson starts the over with a beauty to beat Clarke's outside edge. Clarke defends a couple, before once again attempting to play outside off-stump. The Australian skipper wastes some time as he looks to make this the last over of the session. Brilliant over from Anderson. The umpires decide we can have one more over.

Rogers pushes a single into the off-side early in Broad's over. Clarke steers a wider short ball through cover for two, with Root fielding well to prevent a third run from being taken. A fuller delivery is whipped through mid-wicket by Clarke for three more. Rogers 67* Clarke 5*

LUNCH: Australia started the session very well and they'll be content as they head back inside for the interval. Rogers has been in superb form and he'll be targeting a big century. However, that Khawaja decision is the big talking point from the first session.

Khawaja is attempting to cement his place in this side, but he can't do much when he gets decisions like that. England won't mind at all and those two wickets have helped them even things up at lunch.

We'll take a quick break while the players have their lunch. Join me in around 30 minutes for the afternoon session.

Welcome back everyone. I think it's fair to say that it's pretty even at Old Trafford right now. Rogers has looked at his best out in the middle. Two wickets in the final hour of the first session changed the look of things, but we know one of those dismissals shouldn't have been.

Clarke needs to score runs. He's Australia's captain and he's also their best player. A trademark innings from the skipper would help the tourists post a big first innings score.

We're almost ready for the resumption of play at Old Trafford. Rogers 67* Clarke 5*

Anderson will bowl the first over of the session. I wouldn't be surprised if England test Clarke with some short bowling early in his innings.

Clarke immediately gets off strike by nudging the ball into the off-side for a single. Anderson pleads with Tony Hill to give lbw when he strikes Rogers on the pad. There seems to be quite a bit of doubt and a review is not taken. Hawkeye shows that the ball did pitch outside leg-stump. Rogers leaves well outside off-stump as Anderson searches for the outside edge.

Broad almost sneaks through Clarke's defence but an inside edge saves the visiting captain and brings a single. A wider delivery is cut behind point and Rogers beats the man in the deep to pick up four runs. Broad's search for his 200th Test wicket goes on.

Superb timing from Clarke as he drives through extra cover for four runs early in Anderson's over. Good response from the bowler as he forces the batsman to defend against a straight line. Just the boundary from the over.

Rogers steers a single past point to get off strike. Short-leg and a deep backward square-leg in for Clarke. It's a bluff from Broad as he delivers a ball on a good length, with Clarke leaving confidently. An inside edge squirms into the leg-side to allow Clarke to sneak a single from the final ball of the over.

Fantastic bowling from Anderson as he nips one away off the seam to beat Clarke's bat. The batsman clips the next delivery into the leg-side for a couple of runs. Four runs come in fortunate fashion as a late leave results in the ball deflecting off the bat and racing through third-man for four. No more mistakes in the over. Solid batting since lunch.

Rogers continues to bat at a good rate as he powers a drive through the off-side for four runs. Broad responds with a beauty off the seam to beat the outside edge. Rogers pushes the ball wide of mid-off later in the over for three more to move to 79.

Swann is back into the attack for a new spell. Rogers shuffles across his crease to flick a couple of runs into the leg-side. Swann varies his pace well in the over but Rogers looks in no mood to give his wicket away. Just two from the spinner's over.

Clarke is relieved to see a leading edge drop safely on the off-side early in the over. Broad attempts to surprise the batsman with a bouncer but Australia's captain ducks away from the danger. A flick off the pad brings a single, before Broad beats Rogers with another gorgeous delivery.

Clarke nudges the ball past short-leg for a single. Rogers gets his feet stuck in his crease slightly, but defends well. The opener collects a run late in the over to keep the strike. Bresnan will return to the attack.

Bresnan has a tendency to invite a loose shot from even the most in-form of players. Rogers is close to bringing his own innings to a close when he misses with a wild drive. A straighter ball is tucked into the leg-side and Clarke quickly adds another run. Decent return for Bresnan.

Clarke gets the thinnest of edges on a leg-side ball but Prior has no chance of taking a wonderful catch and the batsman earns four runs. Big turn for Swann once again but Bell can't take the catch at leg-slip. The umpire doesn't single a leg-bye but there wasn't any bat involved.

This feels like a big wicket. Rogers was on course for a century but he misses a full delivery from Swann and Tony Hill is happy to give the lbw decision. Clarke convinces his partner not to review and Rogers must depart for an excellent 84.

I think Rogers was disturbed by some movement behind the sight-screen shortly before that wicket. The over took a long time to complete but he can't complain about the decision. Steve Smith is the new batsman.

Clarke flicks the ball to fine-leg for two early in Bresnan's over. A single brings Smith on strike for the first time. Smith is solid in defence as he survives his first three deliveries without scoring.

Swann is slightly too short to Clarke, who nudges the ball off his hip for a single. Smith advances down the pitch to defend and despite a few shouts for a catch, he doesn't get an inside edge on the ball. There's an optimistic lbw appeal later in the over but it's quickly dismissed. Time for a drinks break. Clarke 29* Smith 0*

Swann could be set for a long spell if he continues to enjoy success. Clarke must remain out in the middle for Australia if they are to convert this start into a big score.

Brilliant start to the over from Bresnan, who comes agonisingly close to catching the edge when he nips one past Clarke's outside edge. Clarke drills a cover drive towards Anderson later in the over and some good fielding restricts the visiting captain to just two runs.

England lose a review! Swann's lbw appeal is rejected but Cook decides to review the decision. England are unlucky not to get the wicket of Smith, with Hawkeye showing that the ball probably would have hit leg-stump but the call remains with the on-field umpire. Clarke uses his feet brilliantly later in the over to push the ball through extra cover for four runs. The Australian captain skips down the pitch again to loft four more over mid-off. Two boundaries and a leg-bye from the over.

Smith finally gets off the mark with an inside edge for a single. Clarke moves to 40 with a similar shot as Bresnan continues to test both players with straight bowling.

Swann changes angles to Clarke by coming round the wicket. Clarke once again shows his class against spin as he dances down the pitch to launch another boundary over the bowler's head. No threat from the spinner in the over and he can't stop Clarke from collecting another run to keep the strike.

Good leave from Clarke as he trusts the pitch to carry the ball over off-stump. Australia's number four plays a nice straight drive but Pietersen does well at mid-on to restrict Clarke to a single. Smith nudges the ball into the off-side and reacts well to complete a single. HALF-CENTURY! A shorter ball is pulled over mid-wicket for four by Clarke, who reaches 50 in the process. Classy innings from the touring captain. He's still got a big job to do for his side. Clarke 50* Smith 2*

Smith pushes the ball down the ground for a single midway through Swann's over. Clarke's defence against spin is just as good as his attack. Just one run from the over. The signs are that this pitch will spin a lot later in the game.

Too straight from Bresnan and Smith cashes in to earn four through mid-wicket. Smith runs well again to pick up a quick single on the off-side. This partnership can do damage if they are given the freedom, so England must be careful.

Smith steers the ball through cover and Australia are able to collect three runs to the fielder in the deep. Swann continues to change his pace but he's bowling at two good players of spin. Clarke rocks back and plays the latest of cuts to earn two from the final ball of the over.

Much better over from Bresnan as he settles on a very good length to Smith. No room offered to the batsman and he is forced to see out a maiden. England need to build some pressure.

Clarke nudges a single to fine-leg early in the over. Smith takes a big step forward to push the ball through the covers for three runs. 20 minutes until tea. Clarke 53* Smith 14*

Anderson returns to the attack for a new spell and he's met by a cracking pull shot for four from Smith. REVIEW! England think they have Smith caught behind when he drives at a fuller delivery. There's no finger raised, despite the celebrations from England. Cook reviews, but there's no edge on Hotspot. The third umpire takes plenty of time to come to a decision but the final call is not out. It looks a fair decision to me. Six runs are scored in the over.

Clarke finds a single early in Swann's over. There's plenty of chat around the bat while Smith is on strike but there's no rush of blood from the batsman as he blocks out the remaining deliveries.

Good bowling from Anderson as he concedes just a single from the over with tea approaching. Australia are making good progress and look on course for a good score at Old Trafford.

Clever over from Swann, who bowl a straighter line while varying his pace. Clarke's in good form though and he looks relaxed as he blocks out a maiden over. That's the end of the session.

TEA: Good session for the tourists. Rogers is the only player to have been dismissed since lunch. Smith has applied himself well to reach 20, while Clarke has moved effortlessly 55.

Of course, this is a good batting pitch but Australia have played more sensibly today than they have done previously in this series. It's time for their big players to prove their worth, so Clarke should be targeting a century from here.

England won't feel too disheartened at the moment though. Australia aren't dominating completely and there's still a lot in this for the bowlers.

The current partnership has passed 50 and if they can bat throughout the final session of the day, Australia will be in a very good position at the close of play.

David Warner is the next player in for Australia. What kind of reception will he get when he walks out?

Swann's role will be an important one as this match progresses. The spinner currently has 2-37 but Smith, and particularly Clarke, have looked excellent against the slower bowling.

It's still a gorgeous day at Old Trafford. Both sides are back out in the middle. The next session will be crucial.

Interesting move as Root begins the session with the ball in his hand. Can the part-time spinner make a breakthrough?

Smith pushes the first ball towards mid-on for a single. Root comes round the wicket to Clarke, who flicks the ball to fine-leg for a couple. There's a short-leg in place for Clarke due to the way he was dismissed in the second innings at Lord's. No mistakes this time though. Decent start for Root.

Broad begins an over by being clipped for a single into the leg-side by Smith. Clarke struggles to time his shots in the over but he still manages to get off strike when he hurries a single to cover. Smith adds another to ensure he keeps the strike.

Smith moves to 24 with a single early in Root's over. Clarke is continuing to be tested from round the wicket but he looks comfortable as he clips two through square-leg. A similar shot brings two more as Swann stumbles in the deep.

Massive lbw appeal from Broad, who cannot believe the finger isn't raised. No reviews left for England and Hawkeye suggests that Smith is a very lucky boy. That should have been Broad's 200th Test wicket. It's been 39 overs since Broad last took a wicket. Maiden over.

Root's short spell comes to an end as Swann returns to the attack. Great line and length from Swann early in the over as Clarke is forced to defend. When the batsman is given a bit of freedom, he fails to beat Bairstow at backward point. Clarke spoils a good over from Swann with a back-foot shot through the covers for four.

Smith gives the strike to his partner early in Broad's over. Clarke deals with the bouncer in emphatic fashion as he pulls over mid-wicket for four runs. An open-faced shot brings three more through third-man. Solid batting so far in this session. There's a stoppage in the over when Broad is unhappy about the ground towards the end of his approach to the crease. Eight scored from the six balls.

Close! Clarke plays a much finer cut than he had hoped and he's fortunate to beat Trott at slip to earn four runs. A couple of advances down the pitch end with dot balls due to some clever bowling. Intriguing battle between Clarke and Swann, but the former is winning at the moment.

Broad breezes through a much quicker over following the disruptions in the previous one. It's a maiden over, with Smith defending easily. Clarke 77* Smith 25*

Clarke hurries a single early in Swann's over. Smith plays an odd shot across the line, picking out Bairstow, who restricts the batsman to one run on the leg-side. Clarke skips down the pitch to nudge another run to long-on. Australia are comfortable at the moment.

Broad is close to the edge again as Clarke hangs his bat outside off-stump. Brilliant batting from the same batsman midway through the over as he backs away to loft the short ball over the slips for four.

Smith has batted very patiently since tea. Swann delivers another good over, with Smith picking up just two to deep square-leg. England need a breakthrough soon to wrestle back some control.

Anderson is into the attack to replace Broad. Clarke edges closer to a century with a late cut past backward point for four runs. The batsman leaves well outside off-stump again as Anderson attempts to find some reverse swing. Clarke 87* Smith 28*

Smith is happy to deal in singles as he gets off strike with a run to long-on. Clarke takes advantage of a leg-side delivery to deflect the ball to fine-leg for three. Smith adds one more run to keep the strike.

Very good over from Anderson. There's a hint of reverse swing for the bowler, but Smith manages to keep out the threat. Clarke is looking comfortable, while Smith is looking the opposite at the moment.

Cook turns to Bresnan now as England look to take full advantage of whatever reverse swing there is out there. Bresnan's accuracy is admirable, but so is Clarke's ability to judge the length and choose which deliveries to leave. It's another maiden.

Prior does very well to take the ball down the leg-side when Anderson strays at the start of a new over. Smith nudges a single to deep square-leg. Clarke 90* Smith 31*

Smith hands the strike to his partner early in the over. Clarke drills his shot into the off-side but picks out the fielder at cover. Just one run from Bresnan's over. England building pressure at the moment.

10 overs left until the second new ball. Swann is back into the attack.

Smith and Clarke exchange singles early in the over to bring up the century partnership. A skip down the pitch from Smith results in the batsman lofting the ball over the bowler for four runs. Anderson makes a mistake at backward point, allowing Smith to reach the rope again with a cut shot. Two leg-byes makes it 12 from the over.

Fantastic shot from Clarke as he drives Bresnan straight down the ground for four to move closer to three figures. The innings almost comes to an end when Bresnan beats the outside edge as Australia's skipper plays another expansive drive. It's time for a drinks break again. Clarke 95* Smith 41*

Australia are continuing to make good progress. Broad will feel that he should have had Smith lbw earlier in the session, but Australia have had their share of bad luck already today.

A leg-bye allows Smith to get off strike early in Swann's over. Clarke continues to use his feet against the spin, that's one of the main reasons for his success against the slower bowlers. A nudge to mid-wicket brings a single. Smith pushes another run to long-on. 17 overs left in the day.

Bresnan is keeping things tight ahead of the arrival of the second new ball. Smith is eager to stay out there tonight and he is in no rush to force any runs. Maiden over.

Clarke moves to 97 with a single early in Swann's over. Smith skips down the pitch to push a run to long-on. Clarke adds one more to make it three from the over. The visiting skipper needs just two more to reach his century.

A push to wide mid-off brings a quick single as Clarke moves to within one of the century he desperately craves. Smith is keen to hand the strike back to his partner but some good bowling from Bresnan ensures just one run is taken from the over.

CENTURY FOR CLARKE! The captain has finally arrived in this series. Clarke has been classy out in the middle and he fully deserves the standing ovation following a single into the leg-side. When Clarke reaches three figures, he often goes even bigger. Smith moves closer to a milestone of his own as he whips three through mid-wicket. Five from the over. England need a breakthrough. Clarke 101* Smith 46*

It's the Australian supporters who are making all the noise at Old Trafford right now. Clarke pleases his fans with a superb lofted shot over mid-off for four runs. Bresnan responds brilliantly to beat the outside edge when Clarke drives again. Just the boundary from the over.

Swann pushes Smith back with a flatter ball and catches the outside edge, but it races past slip to give the batsman two runs. HALF-CENTURY! We're finally seeing what this Australian batting lineup can do. Smith sweeps to fine-leg for a couple to reach 50 from his 115th ball. He's batted sensibly with his captain since arriving at the crease.

Cook thinks it's time for something different as Trott is brought into the attack just one over before the arrival of the second new ball. Clarke greets the new bowler with disdain as he crunches a fuller delivery down the ground for four. A wider ball is driven for two, before Trott settles on a better length to force Clarke to defend. Six from the over.

England take the second new ball immediately. Anderson returns to the attack with 10 overs left in the day. If Australia's current pair can survive until stumps, it will be a brilliant day for the tourists.

Anderson starts the over with a disappointing short ball and Smith punishes the bowler by pulling confidently for four. Good response from Anderson following the boundary, but Smith is comfortable as he sees out the remainder of the over.

Broad is given the duty of sharing the new ball with Anderson but he starts in a similar way to his teammate. Clarke attacks the fuller delivery and the ball slices away behind point for four runs. An open-faced shot through third-man brings three more to Clarke later in the over. Clarke 118* Smith 54*

Much better over from Anderson. No freedom offered to Clarke as the bowler varies his length. There isn't a false shot either though as Clarke plays out a maiden.

Smith shuffles across his crease to push a single to mid-on. Broad goes very full to Clarke, who drives into the air through a gap on the off-side for two. Australia cruising towards the close of play.

Anderson strays onto the pads and Smith takes advantage to earn four through fine-leg. The bowler finds a bit of extra bounce midway through the over but Smith does well to push the ball to safety. Smith picks the gap brilliantly on the off-side to collect four more. One more makes it nine from the over. Clarke 120* Smith 64*

Broad persists with a very full length to Smith, who defends well before squeezing a single into the gap on the leg-side. Clarke displays his ability for all to see as he guides a shorter ball through third-man for four runs. Brilliant batting.

England haven't used the second new ball and Cook decides it's time to go back to spin already as Swann returns to the attack. Smith walks down the pitch to push a single to long-on. Decent over from the spinner.

Broad limps off and is replaced by Bresnan. Smith flicks the ball off his hip and runs well to collect a couple of runs to deep square-leg. It's easy cricket for the tourists at the moment. Two overs left in the day.

Swann invites a loose drive from Clarke, who is lucky not to be bowled by a turning delivery. A quick single is taken midway though the over. Smith defends well before nudging another run to long-on. Six balls left.

It's a quiet over to end a positive day for the tourists as Smith scores just one single from the six balls. Australia are on top at the end of day one, thanks mainly to a fantastic innings from Clarke.

CLOSE OF PLAY: There's been controversy again, but let's just hope that Clarke dominates the headlines with that world-class innings. It's been Australia's best day of the series so far. They'll be desperate to take full advantage following this impressive start. Clarke 125* Smith 70*.

England haven't even bowled too badly today, but the tourists have impressed on a pitch which looks a paradise for international cricketers. Is this the start of a stunning come back? Or just a rare good day for Australia?

Thanks for joining me today and make sure you return for coverage of day two at 10.30am tomorrow. Goodbye.