In the first test match of the 2015 Ashes series, Joe Root's century has set the tone for England in the first innings. On day one, English side finished the day at 343 for 7 at Cardiff. Australian bowlers were quick and pounced to reduce the the English side to 43 for 3, after the hosts chose to bat first on a slow surface of Sophia Gardens. A 153 run 4th wicket partnership between Joe Root and Garry Ballance revived England's scoreacrd. Root struck 134 from only 166 balls while Ballance made 61. However, after tea Australian bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc tightened lines to make the contest look even. Hazlewood and Starc both shared 3 wickets each. The Ashes series is the oldest rivalry in Test cricket. England are hosting the tournament this time around, with Australia being the reigning champions. They had defeated England, 5-Nil at their home soil the last time in 2013-14 to claim the all-important urn.