AFTER a build-up where it was stressed at every available opportunity that setting the tone for a brutal battle in the first session of the opening day, England dished out a few lusty blows 24 hours later but ended it glad to hear the bell.

The general consensus was that the game was finely-poised at the start of play with the hosts starting on 336 for seven.

If England batted nervously and found their last three men blasted out then the Aussies would be delighted with their first inning efforts.

Instead, Strauss' side batted with aggression and enjoyed a magical morning.

Stuart Broad played some glorious strokes, Jimmy Anderson frustrated the bowlers and totted up the runs but it was Graeme Swann that stole the show.

This is the first Test in Wales yet the off-spinner treated it like another Cardiff one-dayer, with England going at over seven runs an over at one stage.

He was denied the chance to raise his bat to celebrate a half-century after Monty Panesar's innings was ended after 17 balls but he had given England the initiative.

But any hopes that they would simply twirl their way through the Australian line-up on a turning and deteriorating wicket were unfounded. If they had been given a few punches to the ribs in the morning (and skipper Ricky Ponting's face had been a picture), then they responding with a flurry of jabs.

The captain was magnificent in an unbeaten knock of 100, becoming only the fourth player to pass 11,000 Test runs in the process, while opener Simon Katich was even better in scoring 104no and winning their private battle to three figures.

It was a day of cricket that didn't quite hit the dramatic heights of Wednesday's 90 overs but there was still plenty of quality on show. Worryingly for England, their spin duo failed to cause the batsmen too many problems despite the predictions of mayhem.

In fact, the figure-of-fun Nathan Hauritz caused more problems and troubled the batsmen more with his turn and bounce. It was reminiscent of when a rugby team plays into the woeful conditions in the first half then come a cropper when they think the gale at their backs will score their points for them. England had a good wicket to work with but didn't really make the most of it, although that was also down to the classy batting duo facing them.

The second-wicket partnership was solid without any flashy, extravagant shots.

It was just simple and decent batting, yet they still scored at a good rate. The Aussies didn't give their wickets away like England's top and middle order.

Kevin Pietersen was not the only offender despite deservedly copping the majority of the flak. And they are looking good for a first innings lead.

The hosts might just be grateful if predictions of a Saturday downpour come true. Australia knew the importance of getting their runs on the board to avoid having their backs against the wall in the fourth innings and even the Barmy Army seemed to start losing faith as it got closer to stumps.

They had been in good voice when the Australian openers headed to the middle thanks to the efforts of Swann. And they also wanted to see Phil Hughes exposed to some short stuff after he was given such a torrid time by Steve Harmison and England Lions in the Ashes warm up encounter.

Well, the pugnacious left-hander didn't just survive a nasty half-hour session before lunch, but he racked up 28 quickfire runs against an England attack that got it all wrong. They attempted to follow Harmy's blueprint but gave the opener, with his wide, open stance, far too much width and he got his side off to a flier.

It called for a rethink and England were much better in the middle session after coach Ottis Gibson, the former Glamorgan overseas player, and his bowlers had got their heads together.

Andrew Flintoff came into the attack straight away and stemmed the flow of Hughes runs before getting his man.

His fiery six-over spell was rewarded when he found the inside edge of the fast-scoring opener and keeper Matt Prior took a good catch down the leg side. The Lancastrian was head and shoulders above the rest of the attack from the off, presenting skipper Strauss with a headache about when to take him out of the attack.

After he had settled for 36 balls of aggressive bowling, there was the much-anticipated period of spin from both ends with Swann and Panesar plying their trade on the dusty, hard surface.

Patience was the key in a session that mirrored the middle section of day one and this time it was the tourists who enjoyed their afternoon. Katich weathered the storm and batted superbly, quietly reaching his half-century just before tea and it was more of the same after the 20-minute break. Advantage Australia.