Cardiff: In a brilliant display of counterattacking batsmanship, young Yorkshireman Joe Root led the way for England on the opening day of the 2015 Investec Ashes at the SWALEC stadium in Cardiff, notching his 7th Test century, snatching the early advantage from the visiting Australians. 

After the five-nil thrashing down under nearly 18 months ago, England now back at home would have hoped for a better start to the Ashes and it almost did not happen. Electing to bat on a flat wicket with no alarming pace or threatening bounce, the ghosts from Australia were starting to rear their heads with England three down for 43 in the 15th over. It should have been four two balls later but Brad Haddin made a mess of a straightforward chance of Joe Root and with that, Australia lost their grip and Root, in the company of Gary Ballance, cashed in.