BRISBANE: Australian paceman Peter Siddle claimed a hattrick to bowl his team into a strong position against England on the opening day of the first Ashes Test at the Gabba on Thursday.

Siddle captured three wickets with successive deliveries to become only the 11th Australian bowler to take a hattrick in a Test match.

The Victorian fast bowler dismissed Alastair Cook (67), Matt Prior (0) and Stuart Broad (0) with the third, fourth and fifth balls of his 12th over to rock England late on the first day.

Siddle brought the crowd to its feet when he dismissed Broad leg before wicket to bring up his hattrick.

It left England reeling at 197 for seven late in the day after they had won the toss.