The most anticipated Test cricket series in living memory has finally begun - the time for words and predictions over.

Australia let the willow do the talking on day one in Brisbane, their Ricky Ponting-inspired batsmen plundering the England bowlers with near impunity at times - and making making a clear statement of intent that they want to wrench the famous urn out of the English hands that so unexpectedly regained them in 2005.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia were ruthless in amassing 346 for three by stumps on a good batting wicket at The Gabba. Under pressure to justify his place in the Australian side, Justin Langer opened the innings in a flurry, taking a liking to big English quick Steve Harmison.

Harmison started very shakily, bowling a wide with the first ball of the game, so wide that it was fielded by first slip. Harmison conceded 17 runs from his first two overs, forcing that hand of captain Andrew Flintoff, who had to replace his wayward paceman with James Anderson. Unfortunately for England, Harmison was to improve little for the remainder of the day, his remaining 10 overs lacking any real venom.

Australia raced to 50 in a fraction over ten overs, Matthew Hayden providing solid support to the swashbuckling Langer, who was despatching the bowlers to the boundary too often for the liking for the English brains trust and the loyal legion of fans who had paid thousands of pounds to be in the sell-out crowd .

England finally drew blood on 79, Flintoff catching the edge of Hayden’s bat to Paul Collingwood at second slip. The loss of Hayden did little to stem the flow of run, with Ponting joining Langer at the crease. The pair saw Australia cruise to 109 for one by the lunch interval.

Langer continued to attack in the afternoon session, with Anderson this time on the receiving end. The AQussie opener looked set for a big hundred until , on 82, he mishit a rising delivery from Flintoff, top-edging the ball to Kevin Pietersen at point. Australia 141 for two.

Damien Martyn, after a slow start, began to find a rich vein of form but lost his wicket trying to be too clever on 29. He tried to late-cut an Ashley Giles delivery that was too close to the body and was caught a slip, leaving Australia still at a comfortable 198 for three.

These were the last moments of joy for the English on day one as Ponting, with support from Michael Hussey, put Australia in the box seat. Ponting played a magnificent captain’s knock, reaching his century off only 136 balls, including 15 boundaries. It was a near flawless display from the Australian skipper, who left all who witnessed it with little doubt that he is currently the best batsman in Test cricket. It was his tenth century in 15 Tests and drew him level with his predecessor as captain, Steve Waugh, as Australia’s all-time greatest centurion with 32.

As much as Australia were switched on from the opening ball, questions have to be asked about the preparedness of the English bowlers. Flintoff displayed the wholeheartedness that he is famed for and in bowling himself in short spells was easily the most dangerous bowler. Matthew Hoggard couldn’t get the ball to swing anywhere near enough while Anderson and Harmison bled too many runs for too few chances.

Ashley Giles, back in the national side for the first time since last year's Ashes series, did little - with the exception of Martyn’s wicket - to justify his selection ahead of the in-form and more attacking Monty Panesar. The Australians had more trouble in the final hour reading the spin of part-time bowler Kevin Pietersen – who was getting genuine turn off the pitch – than dealing with the left-arm finger spin of Giles.

England will need quick wickets on the morning of day two with Ponting and Hussey still at the crease. They are batsmen who can take a game out of the opposition’s grasp very quickly - and Australia could have the match out of England’s reach by tea.