Ponting hails "a perfect day"

Matthew Hayden offered a crumb of comfort to England captain Nasser Hussain after making his decision to bowl in the first Ashes Test look like a howler.

Hayden ended the first day unbeaten on 186 out of a total of 364 for two but suggested that England's bowlers had failed to give their skipper any support.

"It was a wicket that looked like it was going to offer more," the left-hander said. "The Gabba's a ruthless place if you don't control your length...they tended to bowl a little bit in the wrong areas. It was probably a little bit of inexperience.

"It was important we got the momentum going in our direction and I think we achieved that," added Hayden. "We've still got a lot of hard work to do but it was a great start."

Ricky Ponting, who added 123 in a second wicket stand of 272 which was a new record for Ashes Tests in Australia, warned England that they are facing more punishment in the Queensland heat and humidity tomorrow.

"I'd imagine we'd bat on for pretty much as long as we can tomorrow," he said. "If we last that long, we'll have a look at it in the afternoon and maybe have a bowl then.

"We've had a sensational day. We had a lot of luck but it was a perfect day as far as Australia was concerned. They were a bit flat today as any team would be in that situation. Not many things went their way."