Ashes 2013: Broad Shines for England as Haddin Comes to Australia's Rescue

England are firmly in the driving seat after Australia struggled to 273 for the loss of eight wickets at the end of the first day in the opening Ashes test in Brisbane.

Stuart Broad was the pick of the England bowlers as he claimed five wickets and had Australia in real turmoil early on after Michael Clarke had won the toss and elected to bat on what seemed like a flat wicket.

Chris Rogers and David Warner walked in the middle to open the hosts' innings as they looked to get Australia off to a posotive start but the former Middlesex batsman would fall for just one after edging Broad to slip and the safe hands of Ian Bell.

Rogers's dismissal brought Shane Watson to the crease and the all-rounder, along with Warner tried to steady Australia's innings. The duo put on a 59 runs before Broad stuck once again to send Watson back to the pavilion.

Watson made 22 and his dismissal led to the end of the first session of the Ashes series as Australia went for lunch with 71 runs on the board for the loss of two wickets.

Clarke then fell as the hosts lost five wickets for just 61 runs. The Australian skipper made just one run from seven deliveries before Warner (49), Steven Smith (31), George Bailey (3) were all back in the pavilion.

However, Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson's partnership of 114 runs for the seventh wicket saw the hosts cross the total of 200. Johnson made 64 before becoming Broad's fifth victim of the day.

Johnson's dismissal saw Peter Siddle walk in the middle, but the right-arm bowler managed to add only seven more runs to the total before he became James Anderson' second victim of the day.

Haddin remains unbeaten at 78 and Australia would be hoping that the lower order batsmen can provide ample support as they look to at least crawl past 300.