England produced another typically inconsistent batting performance as the ghosts of Cardiff returned to haunt them in the second Ashes Test on Thursday.
A score of 364 for six on the first day was disappointing after a rock-solid opening partnership of 196 provided the perfect platform to take control of the match.
Alastair Cook's dismissal for 95 precipitated a baffling collapse in near-perfect conditions at a sun-kissed Lord's with Ravi Bopara, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Matt Prior and Andrew Flintoff falling to lazy strokes.
The frailty of England's batting was reminiscent of the team's performance in the first Test in Cardiff when several key batsmen threw away their wickets and only the heroics of tailenders James Anderson and Monty Panesar salvaged a draw.
Captain Andrew Strauss stayed calm in the chaos, ending the day on 161 not out, his 18th Test century.
"I really enjoyed the opening partnership with Cookie but as they often do the Australians came back well in the final session," he told a news conference.
"I am slightly disappointed after the start we made but there are definitely wicket-taking opportunities on this pitch."
Strauss and Cook played themselves in patiently, mixing watchful defence with crisp cuts and pulls.
Cook was particularly severe on the regular short balls served up by the Australian seamers and Strauss concentrated on trademark cuts and nudges off his legs.
The pair showed immaculate judgment until Cook was deceived by a ball from Mitchell Johnson which cut back and trapped him lbw.
GLORIOUS FOURS
Bopara struck three glorious fours before his dismissal brought in Pietersen, still bristling with indignation following widespread criticism of his two unorthodox dismissals in the last test.
The tall right-hander immediately shattered the sense of calm.
He scampered a few reckless singles and in the last over before tea just resisted the temptation to swat the ball away with his hand when it reared up towards the stumps.
He then tried an ambitious hook shot which sent the ball ballooning into the air and dropping between three onrushing fielders.
Pietersen struck two sumptuous boundaries after the interval and it looked as if he might have the last laugh with a dazzling century in the evening sunshine.
True to recent form, however, he wafted at a widish delivery from Peter Siddle and snicked a catch to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.
Collingwood spooned a gentle catch to mid-on and Prior was comprehensively bowled aiming an ambitious drive at Johnson.
"Paul Collingwood had a hand in his downfall but he was trying to push it along before the second new ball," Strauss said.
"Otherwise it was a bit of swing that did for the other batsmen."
Andrew Flintoff emerged to a standing ovation but he seemed completely out of sorts and a tame prod ended in the hands of second slip.
Strauss reached 150 and lifted his bat towards his applauding team mates on the pavilion balcony.
"It is important for me to score runs as a captain and set an example," he said.
