England all out for 260 on Ashes first day

Peter Siddle celebrated his birthday with a stunning hat-trick to kick-start Australia's Ashes campaign at the Gabba and hand England a miserable opening day to the series.

Alastair Cook appeared to be steering the tourists into a favourable position until Siddle, returning to Test cricket after a spell out with a stress fracture of the back, marked his 26th birthday in memorable fashion.

The Victorian became the 11th Australian to take a Test match hat-trick when he had Cook edging to slip for 67 then had too much pace for both Matt Prior and Stuart Broad to leave England struggling on 197 for seven.

Ian Bell did his best to lift England to a competitive total with a 76, but the tourists were eventually dismissed for 260, with Siddle boasting figures of six for 54.

England's day had begun alarmingly when captain Andrew Strauss fell for a third-ball duck in the first over after choosing to bat first.

But on a pitch tinged with green and playing a little slower than anticipated, Cook responded with a 127-ball half-century which contained just four fours, rarely excited but was a highly valuable contribution.