Simon Katich and Ricky Ponting each scored centuries as Australia reached 249 for one at stumps to take the upper hand on the second day of the first Ashes Test yesterday.

Responding to England's first innings total of 435, opener Katich was on 104 at the close while captain Ponting brought up his 100 with his last ball of the day.

It took Ponting's haul of Test centuries to 38, the second-highest total in history behind India's Sachin Tendulkar, while 33-year-old Katich notched his eighth and first Ashes century in a stand of 189 with his skipper. The man out was Phillip Hughes for 36.

Katich told reporters: "This time around I have just tried to enjoy it because I knew this was going to be my last opportunity and when you are in your 30s you know that you have got to make the most of it. When I was out of the team it hurt and I have tried to work hard and get back."

Australia, seeking to retain the Ashes they won back in 2006-07, trail England by 186 runs, with the pitch encouraging the spin bowlers but being slow-paced and still good to bat on.

High price on wickets

"It's only day two, the pitch was good, we put a high price on our wickets and didn't take too many risks and were content to put together a big partnership," Katich said. "We're mindful that there is still a lot of work to be done before someone is in front."

Katich, who managed just 248 runs at a lowly average of 27.55 in the entire 2005 Ashes series, made three figures when he pulled Andrew Flintoff to fine leg for one. It would have been satisfying after his 2005 failures cost him his Test place for three years. He has since reinvented himself as an opener.