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Stuart Broad takes two early wickets in Ashes opener

Stuart Broad edges Australia opener Chris Rodgers inside five overs as the hosts reach lunch on day one of the first Ashes Test on 71-2.

Australia have recovered from losing Chris Rogers in just the fourth over of the first Ashes Test in Brisbane, reaching 71-2 at the expense of two early Stuart Broad wickets thanks to a 50-plus partnership between David Warner and Shane Watson.

Stuart Broad of England appeals unsucessfully for the wicket of David Warner of Australia during day one of the First Ashes Test match between Australia and England on November 21, 2013© Getty Images

England wasted little time in claiming the opening wicket as Broad made the early breakthrough to a backdrop of boos from the home crowd, forcing a mistake from Rodgers as he edged to Ian Bell for a routine catch.

The hosts were left to engineer a fightback at 12-1 but had Warner in fine form as he quickly warmed to the task, giving James Anderson little change in a confident early display at The Gabba.

Chris Tremlett helped ease the burden on Broad and Anderson but failed to stop Watson and Warner building an assured second-wicket stand, eventually leading to Graeme Swann's introduction just before lunch.

Moments before lunch Broad struck again as he caught Watson lunging forward with a stray shot, out for 22 as Swann claimed a diving catch to hand the initiative back to England with a timely second wicket.

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Liam Power
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Australia all-rounder Shane Watson plays a pull shot on day one of the fifth Investec Ashes Test against England at The Oval on August 21, 2013
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