Hats off as the birthday boy makes his presence felt

THE man they call Sid Vicious made England's middle order look like punks. Peter Siddle produced one of the all-time great Ashes bowling spells to claim a hat-trick within six scalps as Australia flexed muscle on day one at The Gabba.

Siddle gave Australia a gift on his 26th birthday, blowing out the candles on England's robust preparations with Test-best figures of 6-54 as the visitors were wiped for 260, and openers Shane Watson and Simon Katich shaved 25 runs from that target to reach stumps untroubled.

This is what Ricky Ponting's side had been hoping to show for 15 months, from the moment they lost the urn to their dubious form thereafter, and in the face of scathing criticism before yesterday's illustrious display from Siddle handed Australia full-steam momentum.

''That is the start we wanted, to show everyone how we wanted to play,'' Siddle said. ''Obviously, we've copped a bit of flak, so it was good just to get the crowd behind us and perform well for Australia and start the series on a high.

''Keeping them under 300 was going to be a perfect day for us, probably the best position we could have been in.''

Siddle had not played in a Test since January due to a back injury but was fit enough to carry the team on his shoulders. His hat-trick in the 66th over swung the game dramatically.

With the third ball of his 12th over, Siddle removed opener Alastair Cook, who had scored a defiant 67 runs in nearly five hours at the crease. Cook's edge flew to Shane Watson in the cordon, and Siddle had broken the ominous 72-run stand between the opener and Ian Bell.

Matt Prior strolled in next but played around a searing straight delivery that sent the bails towards the heavens, and Siddle was on the brink of the first Test hat-trick by an Australian bowler in Brisbane. Enter Stuart Broad, who could do little as Siddle's 142km/h yorker struck his toes. The delirious celebration was stopped momentarily as Broad desperately called for a referral of umpire Aleem Dar's lbw decision. The replay confirmed the wicket and Siddle's place in history.

This was a man whom many thought was lucky to be named in place of Doug Bollinger.

''I'd gone through the ups and downs. I knew if I worked hard enough and got everything right I could come back a better cricketer, and I've done that,'' Siddle said.

''Now I just want to be a part of the side and contribute as much as I can. I know every day is not going to be like this, that's for sure.''

Siddle had earlier dismissed danger men Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood in consecutive overs between lunch and tea, before capping off his late burst with the scalp of Graeme Swann.

Ponting's pre-match description of the painful memories from last year's defeat driving his team could be seen on the field. This was an unflinching performance of old.

''It's a massive part of it. You don't want to lose any game, let alone the Ashes. I can remember it now, the last wicket falling at The Oval, going out on the field for the presentations, seeing the boys go up into that stand yahooing and cheering and getting handed the urn, it's something you don't want to see,'' Siddle said.

''It's definitely played a big part. It's a good start at the moment but there's still 24 days to play.''

Much had been said about Steve Harmison's first ball of the last Ashes series in Australia. Perhaps Ben Hilfenhaus's third ball of this series will have as great an impact, dismissing England's captain Andrew Strauss for a duck.

Targeted and taunted by Australia in the lead-up, Strauss was trudging back to the pavilion two minutes into a series in which he is hoping to leave a lasting legacy.