Vince stars as the Ashes open up

James Vince scored a personal best 83 as England reached 196-4 at the close of day one of the opening Ashes test in Brisbane. 

On a rain-affected first day, the tourists scored at a steady rate on a placid pitch at the 'Gabba' which negated the trio of Australian quicks.

Starc took one early wicket and Josh Hazlewood struggled for rhythm as England were pegged back by superb day one bowling from off-spinner Nathan Lyon and the timely wickets of Pat Cummins, playing his first test match at home.

After Mitchell Starc had removed Alistair Cook in the third over for just two, Vince joined Mark Stoneman (53) to put on 125 for the second wicket, eclipsing the highest partnership England scored in the full series in the 5-0 defeat four years ago.

James Vince was England's star man on day one of the first Ashes Test. 

But Cummins bowled Stoneman with a quick reverse swinging delivery just after he'd made his half century and Vince was ran out by some awesome fielding from Lyon in the covers to knock the touring side back in the final session.

Then with captain Joe Root (15) being adjudged lbw on review, England were in trouble. However the promoted Moeen Ali (13*) and Dawid Malan (28*) saw their side through to close without many further problems.

As England will go into day two with eyes of a score well over 300, they may be troubled by the fact the hosts have a new ball just three balls old in the morning and two quick wickets will get them into the tail.

Although Vince was clearly the player of the day, Lyon (Nicknamed 'Gary') was arguably the more influential. With his throw running out the Surrey man, then bowling 24 overs for just 40 runs and creating chance after chance - he certainly backed up his words to the press in the pre-matchnews conferences.

On a day where two Ashes debutants made their highest test scores, England fans will be hoping that Malan can emulate his peers and encourage the lower order to kick on and lift their side to a competitive total in Australia's fortress.