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England slumped to 307 for eight in their first innings on the opening day of the fifth Ashes Test at the Oval on Thursday through a combination of indifferent shots and disciplined Australian pace bowling.
Each of the England top four contributed to their dismissals while the Australians, who decided to omit off-spinner Nathan Hauritz for the second Test in succession, bowled with sustained aggression and control. Peter Siddle was the pick of the bowlers with four for 63.
With the series tied at 1-1, England need to win the final Test to reclaim the Ashes from Australia, who need only a draw.
There were consolations for the hosts in the form of Ian Bell, who top-scored with 72 after moving up a place to number three, and debutant Jonathan Trott who made a composed 41.
England can also take heart from the Oval pitch, which after being left open to the elements on the hottest day of the year on Wednesday, was already offering assistance to part-time spinner Marcus North.
But overall Australia will be the happier of the two teams after a full day's play.
Andrew Strauss won his fourth toss of the series and play began under menacing black clouds, which rolled away during the morning session and gave way to bright sunshine after tea.
Alastair Cook (10) was the first of the England top four to gift his wicket when he played the impressive Siddle with angled bat to Ricky Ponting at second slip.
IMPRESSIVE FIFTY
Strauss, England's key batsman in the absence of the injured Kevin Pietersen, responded with an impressive half century, clipping 10 fours square of the wicket on the lightning fast outfield.
Bell was given a torrid time by Mitchell Johnson, fending unconvincingly at three successive bouncers. He survived to play some exquisite drives but lost Strauss in the third over after lunch after one further boundary, caught behind from a limp defensive shot off Ben Hilfenhaus.
Paul Collingwood made 24 before he, too, played a loose shot slicing a wide delivery from Siddle to Michael Hussey at gully.
Bell dragged his first delivery after tea, a full delivery from Siddle, on to his stumps and Matt Prior (18) lobbed Johnson to Shane Watson at cover.
Andrew Flintoff (7), who was given a standing ovation in his final test, slashed Johnson to Haddin. Trott's promising innings was cut short when he was brilliantly run out by a direct hit at the batsman's end by short-leg Simon Katich.
A late flurry by Stuart Broad (26 not out) and Graeme Swann (18) took England past 300 before the latter was caught behind to give Siddle his fourth wicket.
