By Jonathan Agnew BBC cricket correspondent in Manchester

With Michael Vaughan's superb 166, England reached 341-5 on the opening day of the third Test at Old Trafford.

Michael Vaughan batted beautifully to score his first hundred against Australia in England.

Vaughan enjoyed some luck on the way to 166

He has battled for form throughout this summer, but announced before this match that he was confident of making a big century.

He did have some luck along the way - he was dropped by Adam Gilchrist on 41 and then, next ball, clean bowled by a Glenn McGrath no-ball.

But he drove magnificently off both front and back feet before giving it away by lofting a Simon Katich full toss straight down the long on fielder's throat.

That was particularly disappointing because England had the game entirely under control, with Ricky Ponting searching the ground for a bowler to partner Shane Warne.

Jason Gillespie had just conceded 42 runs from four overs, which was why, in desperation, Ponting, turned to Katich's occasional left-arm wrist-spin.

Both captains wanted to win the toss and take first use of what seems to be an excellent pitch so it was vital that the coin came down Vaughan's way.

As expected, Warne, who duly picked up his 600th test wicket, has already managed to spin the ball sharply - and not merely out of the rough.

This will increase as the pitch wears during the game, so he might be a real handful if he bowls on the final day.

That makes it imperative that England make a big total in this first innings.

Glenn McGrath's miracle return amazed everyone, but was it too much of a gamble?

McGrath's selection may prove foolhardy

He might have picked up a couple of wickets - he also had Marcus Trescothick dropped by Gilchrist when he had scored 13 - but McGrath was bound to be a bit rusty.

By his impeccable standards he was expensive as England's batsmen cashed in.

His presence gave Australia a massive boost.

But given Jason Gillespie's dreadful form, I wonder if they might now regret having recalled McGrath without leaving out a batsman, and playing five bowlers.

The feeling at Edgbaston was that England should have posted a first innings score well in excess of 500.

Here they have batted positively, but seemed more focused on making the most of their opportunity to make Australia pay.

Ian Bell will be relishing the opportunity to continue his excellent, battling innings which so frustrated Warne on the first day.

Bell displayed an excellent temperament throughout a battle in which he will really have learned what Test cricket is all about.