Langer century sets up massive Aussie total

Australia's Justin Langer scored an unbeaten century on his return to the side before retiring hurt as the tourists took complete control of the fifth and final test against England on Thursday.

He laid the foundations for a huge total in a series-best 158-run first-wicket stand with Matthew Hayden before Australia closed the opening day at the Oval on 324 for two.

Moments after hitting three successive fours off Phil Tufnell to reach three figures, the left-handed Langer was floored by an Andy Caddick bouncer, lying full length on the pitch after being struck on the helmet as he shaped to hook.

He was given a standing ovation as he was helped off with a cut near his left temple, having made a near-chanceless 102.

Ricky Ponting then built on the good start with a quickfire 62, and Mark Waugh ended the day on 48 not out, rising to fourth place on Australia's list of leading test run-scorers in the process.

The 30-year-old Langer, surprisingly recalled for his first test of the series despite a wretched tour, had been promoted to open from his normal number three position.

He reached three figures in emphatic fashion before punching the air repeatedly in a mixture of elation and relief.

The first boundary off Tufnell was swept, the second disappeared over the bowler's head and the third was cut as the Western Australian registered his eighth test century.

Langer, who batted for four hours and hit 12 fours, ended the day in hospital for a precautionary scan.

"I have been hit on the helmet lots of times but this just felt like a really heavy impact," he said.

PERFECT POSITION

Play ended eight overs early due to bad light, but Australia, with Steve Waugh back at the helm after recovering from a torn calf, already look in perfect position to push for a victory that would complete a 4-1 series triumph.

Waugh had won the toss and his openers, after struggling early on, soon vindicated the decision in muggy, overcast conditions.

Hayden could have been out three times before lunch, the first danger moment coming with the fourth ball of the day when he inside-edged Darren Gough just past his stumps and short of wicketkeeper Alec Stewart.

He then got stranded after setting off for a single but Usman Afzaal missed with a throw at the stumps from just a few yards after reacting quickly to stop the ball at short-leg.

The big left-hander, however, looked increasingly impressive as the touring side reached 66 at lunch.

A straight drive and a guide to the third-man boundary helped bring 14 off a Caddick over, while Gough was cracked to the midwicket boundary.

Langer, who replaced Michael Slater in the side, kept pace, reaching his half-century with a six off Tufnell.

LUCK OUT

Hayden's luck ran out when he swept at Tufnell and was caught halfway back to the midwicket boundary by Marcus Trescothick for 68. He batted for just over three hours, facing 124 balls and hitting nine fours.

Ponting impressed with some clean hitting, hooking debutant seamer Jimmy Ormond for two consecutive boundaries and then joining in an assault on Tufnell, whose four overs after tea went for 30 runs.

Ponting fell with the score on 292, trying a back-foot force but only managing to edge Ormond to Michael Atherton at first slip.

Australia's last victory at The Oval came in 1972, with England winning three of the last four Ashes tests at the ground, in 1985, 1993 and 1997.

If Langer ended the day with a sore head, so did Tufnell. The 35-year-old, recalled after more than a year-and-a-half in the international wilderness, completed figures of 112 for one from 24 overs.

Mail Cricket Editor