Australia win first Ashes test

BRISBANE, Nov 27 (Reuters) Australia beat England by 277 runs in the first test at the Gabba today to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

England lost their last five wickets for just 77 runs in 90 minutes to be all out for 370 half an hour before lunch on the fifth day after resuming on 293 for five chasing 648 to win.

England's slim hopes of batting through the final day to salvage a draw effectively ended on the fourth ball of the morning when Kevin Pietersen departed without adding to his overnight score of 92.

Wicketkeeper Geraint Jones (33) and Ashley Giles (23) provided some resistance but the end came quickly with Matthew Hoggard (eight) and Steve Harmison (13) both falling to Stuart Clark who completed figures of four for 72.

The second test starts in Adelaide on Friday.

Reuters DH VP0733