BRISBANE, Nov 23: Ricky Ponting sensed England's nervousness going into the most hyped Ashes Test series for generations when their strike bowler Steve Harmison spectacularly sprayed his opening delivery for a huge wide at the Gabba here Thursday.

The Australian skipper led the way with an unbeaten 137 as his team made the opening statement in the series, going to stumps on the first day of the Ashes opener at 346 for three.

“After the first ball went to second slip everyone had a bit more of a lift about us because that meant the English might have been a little nervous out there,” Ponting said.

“Our openers really took advantage of anything that was loose early on and got us off to a great start and then I got in against a not very new ball and the wicket was good, so it was nice to spend a long time out there.

“It's a good start for us all after a long time and we're looking forward to pushing home that advantage tomorrow.”

As for his own prolific run in Tests, Ponting said: “The last couple of years for me have been pretty consistent in Test cricket and just to go out there and spend some time in the middle and build up an innings has been satisfying today,” he said.

“I don't think England bowled as well as they had to this morning, but the ball didn't swing or seam at all this morning, which caught us all by surprise, because it normally swings a bit here.” —AFP