Ashes PHOTOS: England check Australia's march

Graeme Swann took a leaping catch in the closing minutes of play to keep England in contention against Australia on the opening day of the second Ashes Test in Adelaide on Thursday.

- Scorecard

The Australians, one-up in the series, looked in control at 257 for 4 nearing stumps, before Swann held a flying two-handed catch at square leg to dismiss the dangerous George Bailey for 53.

Earlier in the day, Stuart Broad made an early breakthrough for England, removing dangerous opener David Warner before lunch. Warner, who scored a century in Australia's huge 381-run win in the series opener in Brisbane, set off at a cracking pace with 29 off 32 balls before he went after a wide Broad delivery and was caught by Michael Carberry at point.

Shane Watson once again missed out on a big score after making a solid start. He was caught and bowled by Jimmy Anderson for 51.

The all-rounder looked well set after 160 minutes at the crease before he chipped a return catch low down to Anderson on the bowler's follow-through.

Watson put on 121 runs for the second wicket with Chris Rogers.

It was his 21st Test half-century but highlighted his poor conversion rate with just three centuries.

Rogers and Watson put on a century stand for the second wicket before both departed in the space of six balls. 

Anderson broke a 121-run partnership when he caught and bowled Watson for 51 before Swann had Rogers caught behind for 72 in the following over.

Recalled spinner Monty Panesar bowled all-rounder Steven Smith for six to prompt an early tea-break, leaving Australia captain Michael Clarke unbeaten on nine and his team looking decidedly shaky after dominating most of the extended session.

Earlier, Broad briefly took the wind out of Australia's sails by removing opener Warner but the hosts survived without further loss to be 46 for one at lunch on a rainy opening day.

-Scorecard

The tourists' hopes of building momentum were also thwarted by the rain which came down after the first over was bowled and also caused a further 20-minute rain-delay midway through the session.