Shane Watson hit his first century in 25 tests to help Australia move to 307-4 at stumps on Wednesday on the first day of the fifth and final Ashes test against England.
Under pressure following his poor form all series with the bat, Watson smashed 25 fours and a six to reach 176, from 247 balls, at The Oval.
Watson batted on after taking a fierce blow to the head from a bouncer by Stuart Broad, was dropped on 104 by Alastair Cook in the slips and overturned an lbw decision to Chris Woakes on 160, before he finally fell to Broad.
Steve Smith was unbeaten on 66 (nine fours, one six 133 balls) as England’s bowlers struggled, James Anderson finishing with the best figures of 2-52.
Australia won the toss and chose to bat but had to endure a hostile opening spell from Anderson and Broad before Watson hit debutants Woakes and Simon Kerrigan out of the attack.
Warner lasted only 18 minutes before getting an outside edge to Anderson for wicketkeeper Matt Prior to accept the catch.
Watson hit both Woakes and Kerrigan for six fours, but he also smashed Graeme Swann for a six over the sightscreen and brought up his 50 from 61 deliveries when he nudged a single from Kerrigan.
Australia reached 100 when Watson hit Kerrigan for 18 in the 25th over, forcing England captain Alastair Cook to bring back Broad in a bid to stem the flow of boundaries.
Broad responded with a maiden over, but the century partnership was reached in the final over before lunch when Rogers flicked Broad for three runs through midwicket.
Rogers fell for 23 early in the afternoon session when he edged Swann to Jonathan Trott, who took a low catch at first slip.
Watson was on 91 when he was hit on the back of the head by a Broad bouncer. The blow struck the batsman just below the helmet, but after a two-minute delay he continued.
Michael Clarke looked vulnerable throughout his 39-ball innings and was bowled off his pads by Anderson in the 43rd over. In the next over, Watson, having slowed slightly since lunch, reached his first century in 48 attempts with a stroke for three from Anderson.
England then squandered the momentum when Cook dropped Watson after he edged Anderson to first slip.
The debutants returned at the end of the session. Woakes improved significantly, but Kerrigan’s final over before tea began with a rank, head-high full toss that Smith swatted for four.
In an evening session short on drama Watson reached his 150 when he flicked Broad to the fine leg boundary and Smith drove Swann for a single to pass 50.
Watson was given out lbw to Woakes in the 82nd over but he referred the call and the decision was reversed only the second time Watson has overturned an lbw call in nine attempts.
Watson’s luck finally ran out in the 88th over when he holed out to Broad and fell to a brilliant tumbling catch by Kevin Pietersen, although only after an umpire referral for a no ball confirmed Broad’s foot was fractionally behind the crease.
Australia sent in Peter Siddle as nightwatchman and he added an assured 18 not out before stumps.
