The key man: Brad Haddin didn't finish with the top score, but while Steve Smith took the honours there, it was Haddin who got Australia on the front foot again with some typically aggressive batting despite Australia looking in all sorts at five for less than 100. His aggression in the post-lunch period not only restored the balance of power, it did so quickly, England not given a chance to tie the scoreboard down for long periods. It's been some sort of summer for the 36-year-old keeping veteran.
Big moment: Smith didn't waste any time dealing with the nervous 90s. On 93, he spanked a generous offering from debutant Scott Borthwick right over the long-on fence, then two balls later, repeated the dose from a rank full toss, this time the ball landing just short of the rope, but the four seeing him bring up his third Ashes ton.
It all could have changed if ... England's attack had been able to maintain the pressure after George Bailey's dismissal. But the tight bowling of the first session vanished into a sea of long-hops and deliveries far too short, and Haddin and Smith quickly wrested back the advantage.
Things went swimmingly for ... Smith. This was another great knock from the still-youngish Australian bat. Content to let Haddin make the pace early in their 100-plus partnership, he picked up the tempo at the right time, took the lead once Haddin was dismissed and kept the pressure squarely on the bowlers. A great hand from a man looking increasingly at home in the baggy green.
Not so swimmingly for ... Boyd Rankin. This was one of the more unfortunate debuts in recent Test history. Rankin looked competent enough in his first spell, managing some decent bounce, but in his eighth over, he pulled up suddenly with what looked like a hamstring strain. Then after a spell off the field, he returned, only to break down a second time after just one delivery. You wouldn't expect to be seeing him back at the bowling crease.
What does it all mean?: England would have been expecting far better returns once it had Australia 5/97. Instead, after the loss of Carberry, it is looking at an uphill battle simply to reach par with a batting order that has consistently failed the test all summer. Early wickets on day two and it will be a familiar story again.
And that's all for day one, Rohan Connolly signing off here at blog central. Join us back here for day two a little after 10am. Have a great night!