Ashes history is littered with some extraordinary opening days and Brisbane produced another as Peter Siddle, a controversial selection for this match, gave himself a birthday to remember by claiming a hat-trick and a career-best 6 for 54, which removed England for 260. Alastair Cook played calmly for his 67 and Ian Bell produced one of his finest international innings, but the visitors will feel they've let a golden chance slip and Australia closed on 0 for 25.

Siddle's moment of glory came in the final session after England had reached 4 for 197 and Australia had gone into a holding pattern. He was recalled to the attack and in his second over back persuaded Cook, after 168 balls of concentration, to push outside off and edge to first slip. That was followed by a full, fast delivery that Matt Prior barely had time register and the hat-trick ball was again homing in on the stumps but instead struck Stuart Broad's boot. The atmosphere at the 'Gabbatoir' was electric and just to add to the drama Broad, who clearly wasn't prepared for the clatter of wickets and was rushed to get ready, reviewed his decision, but there was no escape. Around the mayhem caused by Siddle, Bell played a wonderful innings that highlighted his development as a Test player. Left with the tail, he opened up in a manner rarely seen at the highest level, producing a string of a purring drives through the off side until lofting Xavier Doherty to deep cover to hand him his first Test wicket.