Hussey and Haddin Put Australia on Top on 3rd day at Gabba

England 260 and 0 for 19 (Strauss 11*, Cook 6*) trail Australia 481 (Hussey 195, Haddin 136, Finn 6-125) by 202 runs

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Michael Hussey and Brad Haddin wrote themselves a place in the history books with a monumental 307-run partnership as Australia took a firm grip on the opening Test in Brisbane. The mammoth stand was a record for any wicket at the Gabba and steered the home side towards a formidable lead of 221 as Hussey hit a career-best 195. Following hours of toil, Steven Finn provided England a late boost with a career-best six wickets, but it's a huge task for them to avoid beginning their Ashes defence with defeat.

Facing a tough hour, Andrew Strauss survived a huge appeal lbw first ball when he padded up to Ben Hilfenhaus and Ricky Ponting asked for a review but it had been correctly ruled to be heading over the stumps. However, it was a heart-in-mouth moment for Strauss, who was on a pair until he tucked a single to square leg. He and Alastair Cook fought hard to get through to the close, yet it's only the start of what has to be a huge rearguard and at least two batsmen need to follow the lead of Hussey and Haddin.

Smart stats:

1. Michael Hussey's 195 was his third century against England and second in consecutive matches against England after his hundred at The Oval in 2009. It is also his highest Test score surpassing his 182 against Bangladesh in 2006.

2. Haddin's 136 is the second-highest score at the Gabba by a wicketkeeper, behind Ian Healy's 161 against West Indies in 1996-97.