London: History will have to be hard-earned if England are to win four home Ashes Tests for the first time after Australia dug in effectively on Day One at The Oval.


David Warner en route his 85 yesterday. Pic/Getty Images

Australia's new guard of captain and vice-captain in waiting, Steve Smith (78 not out) and David Warner (85), were most successful as the tourists sought to put behind them the miserable performance with which they lost the urn at Trent Bridge.

There, they were bowled out for 60 in under 19 overs to put themselves in an impossible position almost from the outset. Here, doubtless chastened by that experience, Warner and his opening partner Chris Rogers soon ensured no repeat of the Nottingham calamity in a century stand which underpinned a stumps total of 287 for three in this fifth Test.