MOEEN Ali made useful runs and picked up an important wicket as the second day of the opening Ashes Test in Brisbane ended with honours even.

The Worcestershire all-rounder contributed 38 and figured in a fifth-wicket stand of 83 with Dawid Malan as England reached 302 all out.

Moeen then dismissed Australian batsman Usman Khawaja in his second over and finished with 1-50 from 19 overs as the home side closed on 165 for four – 137 in arrears.

He had resumed on 13 and quickly struck paceman Josh Hazlewood for a lofted four over mid-off and picked up another boundary with a sweep against Worcestershire 2017 overseas player and Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon.

But after making his 38 from 102 balls, the 30-year-old was trapped by Lyon. Moeen called for a review but was given out the over after Malan (56) and England lost their last six wickets for 56 runs.

Lyon posed a constant threat and could easily have finished with a greater reward than 2-78 from 36 overs.

When Australia launched their reply, Moeen was brought into the attack in the ninth over and made his breakthrough in his second over.

Khawaja (11) was undone by a delivery which was straight and full and struck him on the front pad, departing leg before with the Australian tally at just 30 for two.

Moeen bowled six, three and 10 over spells but the Aussies, who at one stage were 76-4, recovered thanks to an unbeaten 64 from skipper and former Worcestershire T20 player Steve Smith.

He shared an unbroken stand of 89 with Shaun Marsh (44*).