Early breakthrough for Aussies

England captain Andrew Strauss, boosted by the return of all-rounder Andrew Flintoff to his side, won the toss for the fourth time in the npower series and opted to bat.

Grey clouds rolled over as play began, however, and left-hander Cook edged to second slip off Peter Siddle to give Australia a breakthrough inside half an hour. Rain fell for a short time but the good Oval surface provided England with full value for their shots and their 56 for one at drinks contained nine fours.

Cook struck two of those before being lured into a false stroke outside off-stump.

Warwickshire batsman Ian Bell, promoted to number three following the omission of Ravi Bopara, was given an early scare when a Siddle bouncer flicked off his wrist on the way through to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

Pakistan official Asad Rauf stood firm in the face of vociferous Australian appeals, however, and Bell got off the mark two balls later with an on-drive for four.

Bell was then given a working over by Mitchell Johnson, who replaced Siddle from the pavilion end.

Left-armer Johnson's first delivery brushed Bell's shirt, to cause some excitement around the field, and his third was fended wide of short-leg for a single.

Flintoff, 31, replaced Graham Onions in the XI, having missed the Headingley thrashing because of his knee injury, while debutant Jonathan Trott came in for Bopara.

Australia, meanwhile, were unchanged for a game they need only draw to retain the Ashes.