A century from Joe Root has helped England post a score of 343-7 at the close of play on day one of the first Ashes Test against Australia in Cardiff.

The hosts slumped to 43-3 during the morning session before significant knocks from Root, Gary Ballance and Ben Stokes revived the Three Lions.

Having won the toss and chosen to bat, it took less than two overs for England to lose their first wicket of the morning as Adam Lyth was caught by David Warner off the bowling of Josh Hazlewood for six.

Alastair Cook and Ballance tried to put up some resistance after the early loss of Lyth, but the skipper was the next to go for 20 when he edged one through to Brad Haddin off a Nathan Lyon delivery, leaving England on 42-2.

New batsman Ian Bell lasted just seven balls when he arrived out in the middle, with Mitchell Starc dismissing him lbw for one.

With England on the ropes, Ballance was then joined by Root at the crease and the pair started to get the home side back on track with some confident strokes. Root was dropped by Haddin on his second delivery before the duo eventually led England to 88-3 at lunch.

The second session was dominated by Ballance and Root as they attacked the Australian bowlers. The pair both passed their half-centuries in dynamic fashion, guiding the Three Lions to 190-3 at tea.

However, their partnership was broken at the start of the final session when Ballance was sent back to the pavilion for 61 off the bowling of Hazlewood. Ballance's departure failed to deter Root, though, with the batsman reaching his century to keep Australia at arm's length.

Root was now at the crease with Ben Stokes, who wasted little time in getting at the Australians with some big hitting before his partner was eventually dismissed for 137 when he was caught by Shane Watson from a Starc delivery.

With England on 293-6, Starc bowled Stokes for 52 which allowed the Aussies to get into England's lower order during the final overs of the day.

Moeen Ali and Jos Buttler looked to have the measure of the Australians as the day drew to a close, but Buttler lost his wicket late on for 27 as Mitchell Johnson was presented with a simple catch following Hazlewood's delivery. Ali (26*) and Stuart Broad will resume at the crease on Thursday.