Hussey: I was rushing to get my gear ready. It all happened quickly

Jimmy Anderson and Michael Hussey were giving little away about a verbal spat between rival captains Andrew Strauss and Ricky Ponting at the end of the first day's play in Adelaide. Ponting appeared to confront Strauss as the players left the field, reportedly over Anderson's sledging of Brad Haddin.

But when Anderson was asked whether he knew what the argument was about, the Lancashire bowler responded coyly. "I'll ask and tell you later." Hussey, who top-scored for Australia with 93, referred to Haddin but did not reveal many details of the incident. "I don't know what it was about to be honest, I'm sorry. I think it started when 'Hadds' was batting but I don't know what was going on."

Anderson also spoke of his pleasure at getting the rewards he believed his bowling deserved, after taking 4 for 51 on the first day of the second Test.

Anderson bowled well in the first Test in Brisbane but did not feel that he was fully compensated for his efforts, taking just two first innings wickets. But on the first day he was England's most successful bowler as they bowled Australia out for just 245.

The Lancashire bowler was proud of how he reacted to the disappointment in Brisbane. "I did bowl well there [at The Gabba], I felt I bowled really well there," Anderson said. "But the worst thing to do would be to feel sorry for yourself and not bowl well here [Adelaide]. So I just wanted to continue the form I felt I was in and I think I did that."

Anderson was crucial in helping England to the best possible start, as they reduced Australia to 2 for 3 after just 13 deliveries. He induced drives from Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke, both of whom were caught by Graeme Swann at second slip. But the first wicket of the day to fall was a run-out, as Jonathan Trott executed a direct hit from midwicket to dismiss Simon Katich. Anderson praised Trott's quick reactions.

"I thought it was a fantastic bit of fielding, he kept his composure when he could've panicked and we just took it from there," he said.

Although Australia recovered, bowling the hosts out for 245 was an outcome that Anderson was pleased with. "It was a hugely satisfying day for everyone to come to a ground which has a notoriously flat pitch [and] keep them to such a low score."

The main resistance to England came again from Hussey, who hit 93 before being caught at slip off the bowling of Graeme Swann. Hussey, who bats at five, was surprised to be called upon in just the third over of the day. "I was rushing to get my gear ready, it was all happening very quickly," he said. "I couldn't really believe it to be honest. Before I blinked I was out in the middle. I was actually looking forward to having a nice relax for the first couple of hours and watching the first session."