Flintoff strikes as England toil again

Captain Andrew Flintoff claimed an overdue breakthrough for England as the rest of his attack struggled to prevent Australia's progress to a major first-innings total in the opening Ashes Test.

Flintoff was the pick of the bowlers on the opening day when Australia took advantage of ideal batting conditions to dominate at the Gabba.

He was again England's most likely source of inspiration and claimed the only wicket to fall as Australia reached 427 for four at lunch on the second day.

Resuming on an already imposing 346 for three, Australia enjoyed largely untroubled progress during the morning session until Flintoff introduced himself into the attack in the 15th over.

He quickly found his rhythm and had a strong appeal for a catch behind refused by umpire Steve Bucknor when a fiercely-rising delivery appeared to brush Ricky Ponting's glove when he had reached 167. That delivery ruffled Ponting, who had resumed on 137 overnight, enough to tempt him into flashing and missing outside off stump later that over.

Flintoff's hostile spell from the Stanley Street end was rewarded in his next over when he chose to go around the wicket to left-hander Hussey, who pushed forward defensively but failed to anticipate the in-swing and lost his off stump.

Flintoff was also unfortunate not to claim a wicket with his next ball, which flew through the gap between bat and pad to wicketkeeper Geraint Jones, with new batsman Michael Clarke knowing little about it.

Clarke was also fortunate to survive in Flintoff's next over when he edged just past Ashley Giles in the gully for his first boundary and reached lunch unbeaten on 10.