Ashes PHOTOS: Watson shows the way with a dominating ton at Oval

Shane Watson finally came good for Australia as the all-rounder smashed his way to a magnificent 176 to put Australia in command at 307 for four on Day 1 of the fifth and final Ashes Test against England at The Oval.

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The powerful right-hander was aggressive on the onset, and despite being hit on the head by a Stuart Broad bouncer, he went ahead forged a vital fourth-wicket partnership of 145 with Steve Smith.

England, seeking to win a home Ashes series 4-0 for the first time, endured a tough day in the field after handing shock debuts to all-rounder Chris Woakes and left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan who conceded 53 runs in eight nervous overs.

Watson was dealt a painful blow on the neck by a quick bouncer from England pacer Stuart Broad just before getting to hundred.

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After he cover drove Broad and got to 91, he was felled by a vicious short delivery from the England pacer. The ball rose, and as Watson stopped halfway through the shot he was hit on the top of his neck. After receiving medical attention he returned and continued.

The tall right-hander went on to complete a well-deserved century, his first in Ashes and first in 48 innings, off 114 balls. It included 16 fours and one six.

His last ton was in October 2010.

Earlier, Australia captain Michael Clarke won the toss and chose to bat first.

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England, 3-0 up in the series, handed Test debuts to all-rounder Woakes and 24-year-old left-arm spinner Kerrigan.

Woakes replaced the injured Tim Bresnan while Kerrigan was preferred to out-of-form batsman Jonny Bairstow.

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Australia, who have not won in their last eight Tests, brought in all-rounder James Faulkner and fast bowler Mitchell Starc for batsman Usman Khawaja and seamer Jackson Bird.

James Anderson provided England an early breakthrough, dismissing Australia opener David Warner.

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Warner scored just six before he was caught behind by Matt Prior in the fourth over of the innings.

Australia, despite losing David Warner cheaply and early, had an excellent morning.

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Watson rallied Australia with counter-attacking cricket. He punished England's debutant bowlers Simon Kerrigan and Chris Woakes as Australia reached 112-1 going into lunch.

After another horrible start, opener Chris Rogers and Watson steadied Australia. The duo, especially Watson who had a very close LBW shout, survived some anxious moments.

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Rogers made his intentions clear with a straight drive past Broad.

Watson feasted on some ordinary bowling from the England bowlers. He was particularly severe on Woakes, hitting him for three boundaries in an over.

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He almost repeated dose in the bowler's fifth over -- this time two hits to the fence to race into the forties.

He soon completed a well-deserved fifty with a single off debutant Kerrigan, off 61 balls.

Watson, who has come under heavy criticism on this Ashes tour, dealt mainly in boundaries..

England tasted success immediately after Australia resumed at 112 for 1.

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Graeme Swann induced Rogers, who had struggled to rotate the strike, into edging a delivery and was caught by Jonathan Trott at first slip.

Rogers was out for 23 and Australia were reduced to 118-2.

With Watson just two runs away from a hundred, Australia lost another wicket. Anderson sent down a fuller delivery which came in and hit Michael Clarke on the pads before crashing onto the wickets. 

Clarke was out for 7 off 39 balls and Australia down to 144 for 3.