This is the 15th part in a series recounting the 2005 Ashes, as it occurred a decade ago.

England still maintain an optimistic approach, despite the lost chance in Manchester. Their lineup remains unchanged, while Australia name two; McGrath is out injured, while Gillespie is dropped due to poor form. Kasprowicz is back in the squad, and Shaun Tait makes his Test debut.

England win the toss and choose to bat.

England – Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss, Michael Vaughan (c), Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff, Geraint Jones (wk), Ashley Giles, Matthew Hoggard, Steve Harmison, Simon Jones

Australia – Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (c), Damien Martyn, Michael Clarke, Simon Katich, Adam Gilchrist (wk), Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Michael Kasprowicz, Shaun Tait

Morning

Lee & Kasprowicz open the bowling, unable to find any early breakthrough. Trescothick & Strauss provide a semi-consistent string of boundaries. Tait is introduced in the 11th over, with a sling action that limits England to two runs in the over. But Trescothick soon takes consecutive boundaries off the fast bowler. Another boundary the next over brings up England’s 50. Tait averages 90 mph with his deliveries, but is unable to get a wicket early. Warne takes the 18th over, with equal struggles as the fast bowlers, Trescothick taking him for six. The openers bring up 100, Trescothick his 50, but Strauss’ sweep attempt from Warne ends up in the hands of Hayden for the first wicket. Vaughan provides additional boudaries, as England get to lunch 129/1.

Afternoon

Unfortunately for the fans, rain delays the start of the post-lunch session. When play resumes a little after 2:00 local time, Vaughan & Trescothick add five runs to the total. However, they only get three overs in before rain forces another delay. After deliberation, umpires Steve Bucknor & Aleem Dar decide this will be the break for tea. England are 134/1, with Tait still bowling the 31st over.

Evening

When the 31st over resumes, Tait strikes with his first Test wicket, bowling Trescothick on 65. Several overs later, he baits Bell in edging behind to Gilchrist. Pietersen helps restore some order with Vaughan, taking England to 150. Lee & Kasprowicz endure the same struggles they faced in the morning. Looking for a change in momentum, Ponting puts himself in the bowling attack; he very nearly traps England in a run out his first over, but the throw back to the stumps is off target. Vaughan gets his 50 as England post 200, while Ponting does well to limit the runs without getting wickets. But it’s only a matter of time before the captain does get a wicket, Vaughan edging behind to Gilchrist; Ponting’s first Test wicket in six years. Flintoff establishes his presence at bat with Pietersen, but the rain is back, suspending play for the rest of the day.

After Day 1, England are 229/4 in the first innings.