Notts spinner Graeme Swann hopes that England can make early inroads on day three at Cardiff after Australia reached 249-1 in reply to England’s 435 in the first npower Ashes Test.

Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich both registered centuries but replays suggested Swann’s lbw appeal, with Katich on 56, was legitimate.

“It takes just one good spell to bring us right back into the game and that's what we're going to be thinking,” said Swann.

"Maybe if the lbw against Katich had gone our way - which we certainly feel a bit aggrieved about - a new man comes in and we get a couple of wickets. Then things could have been very different.

"We've worked really hard to get either traditional swing or reverse swing and it's done nothing.

"The problems are exacerbated when you have two guys playing so well."

Swann boosted his Test batting average with an unbeaten 47 on day two.

"I've been watching the ball a bit better but there's no great secret to my batting,” he said.

“If it's there to hit I go out and swing. It was a great first session for us but we just couldn't capitalise which was disappointing.

"We're going to have to work hard to get our wickets. Hopefully there will be a bit more purchase tomorrow.”