Ashes gloom spreads in Britain

LONDON, Nov 24 (Reuters) Months of hype was replaced by doom and gloom today as England's defence of the Ashes got off to a terrible start in Australia.

For bleary-eyed commuters, many of whom sat up all night watching or listening to the second day's play in Brisbane, their newspapers made for depressing reading.

''Harmison howler sets the tone for England's day of disasters'' was the headline in The Independent, referring to fast bowler Steve Harmison's comical wide on the first ball of the first day's play in which Australia amassed 346 for three.

Hopes of a second-day fightback were left in tatters today as Australia went on to make 602 for nine declared before reducing England to 53 for three.

Harmison's poor form with the ball was the focus of much of the criticism with the Daily Mail stating ''Harmy Still The Wide Boy For England'' after the Durham paceman also bowled a wide on his first ball of today's play.

''Gabba chamber of horrors is open again as Ponting starts to take vengeance'' the Mail observed next to a photograph of Australia skipper Ricky Ponting celebrating his century.

Ponting, who ended day one on 137 not out, finally fell just four runs short of his double century as Australia seized complete control of the opening test.

A Times headline said ''Ponting's Pedigree Leave England Chasing Shadows'' while the Daily Mirror opined that Harmison's opening delivery, which went straight to his captain Andrew Flintoff at second slip, was the worst first ball in the history of the Ashes.

With the five-match series just two days old, the feel-good factor that followed England's 2-1 victory over Australia last year at home has given way to pessimism.

England last won an away Ashes series in 1987.

REUTERS DH KN1538