Australia strengthened their grip on the first npower Ashes Test by negotiating the opening half-hour of the third morning at Cardiff.
Centurions Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich both struck boundaries as the England attack struggled to separate them.
England captain Andrew Strauss turned to spin twins Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann bowling in tandem ahead of the second new ball, which was taken at 281 for one.
The second-wicket pair were both unbeaten on 118, each punishing any erring in length.
Ponting disdainfully dismissed a couple of Swann full tosses, including his very first delivery, while Katich cut hard at Panesar for one of his fours.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here