Bad light followed by heavy rain has curtailed play during the final session at the Gabba. At stumps Australia are 5-220 with Michael Hussey on 81 and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin on 22.
It had been a good third session for the Australians with Hussey and Haddin bringing the hosts within sight of England first innings total of 260.
It had been a good third session for the Australians with Hussey and Haddin bringing the hosts within sight of England first innings total of 260.
Hussey's innings was sparkling, highlighted by several punishing pull shots with England off-spinner Graeme Swann (1-59) the victim of the left-hander's attacking intent. Haddin was subdued but solid during his 71-ball stay, hitting two boundaries.
However, Australia's middle-order frailties were again exposed during the second session as England dominated, claiming four wickets.
After a frustrating first two hours, England's bowlers claimed four quick wickets after lunch, with Marcus North the last man out for just one, caught by first slip Paul Collingwood off Swann.
However, Australia's middle-order frailties were again exposed during the second session as England dominated, claiming four wickets.
After a frustrating first two hours, England's bowlers claimed four quick wickets after lunch, with Marcus North the last man out for just one, caught by first slip Paul Collingwood off Swann.
Equally concerning was the innings of nine runs by Michael Clarke, who has appeared restricted by his back injury despite being passed fit to play. Clarke was removed by Steve Finn (2-61) trying to play a paddle pull shot, which was edged to keeper Matt Prior - who claimed his 100th Test dismissal with the catch.
Clarke, on nought, had survived a feverish shout for caught behind off Finn, which was turned down by umpire Aleem Dar and immediately referred by Andrew Strauss. While the snickometre showed a noise as the ball went past the bat, indicating a faint edge, the video umpire Tony Hill does not have that technology at his disposal. Hot-spot showed no trace of an edge so the original decision was upheld.
England waited just two balls after to lunch to taste success, removing Ricky Ponting followed by Simon Katich just four overs later to turn the tide.
Clarke, on nought, had survived a feverish shout for caught behind off Finn, which was turned down by umpire Aleem Dar and immediately referred by Andrew Strauss. While the snickometre showed a noise as the ball went past the bat, indicating a faint edge, the video umpire Tony Hill does not have that technology at his disposal. Hot-spot showed no trace of an edge so the original decision was upheld.
England waited just two balls after to lunch to taste success, removing Ricky Ponting followed by Simon Katich just four overs later to turn the tide.
Katich brought up his 25th Test half-century before he became Steve Finn's first Australian victim courtesy of a smart caught-and-bowled.
Ponting was dismissed for 10 with James Anderson's (2-40) legside delivery flicked to wicketkeeper Prior.
Hussey and Clarke faced a barrage of fast, dangerous deliveries from Anderson, Stuart Broad and Finn. Hussey edged his first ball to the slips where it fell just short of Swann, while Clarke played and missed four speedy balls.
Ponting was dismissed for 10 with James Anderson's (2-40) legside delivery flicked to wicketkeeper Prior.
Hussey and Clarke faced a barrage of fast, dangerous deliveries from Anderson, Stuart Broad and Finn. Hussey edged his first ball to the slips where it fell just short of Swann, while Clarke played and missed four speedy balls.
In the first session, Ponting entered to a reception of jeering from the section of England fans, and made a shaky start to his innings.
England made their first breakthrough by removing Shane Watson for 36 before lunch but Australia enjoyed the better of the second morning's play.
Watson had escaped an umpire referral for lbw in the 25th over, but the next ball Anderson had him caught at first slip by Andrew Strauss with a beautifully pitched delivery.
England made their first breakthrough by removing Shane Watson for 36 before lunch but Australia enjoyed the better of the second morning's play.
Watson had escaped an umpire referral for lbw in the 25th over, but the next ball Anderson had him caught at first slip by Andrew Strauss with a beautifully pitched delivery.
Katich successfully appealed an lbw decision against him. Katich was on 27 when trapped by Anderson, and was given out by umpire Billy Doctrove. Katich appealed and while the ball pitched in line and hit the top of his pad clean, but Eagle Eye showed the ball would have bounced over the top of the bails, giving the left-hander an important reprieve.
Earlier, Katich was nearly run out after a botched quick single attempt. Katich pushed the ball to cover off James Anderson and hurried down the pitch but his partner remained planted at the bowler's end.
Katich was more than halfway down when he had to spin and scurry back as Alastair Cook scooped the ball and threw to the stumps, only to miss with Katich well short of his ground and Prior unable to get to the wicket in time.
Watson also survived a near miss in the morning. Watson, who was on 21, received a vicious bouncer which collected his inner arm as he rose to fend the delivery, and the ball fell dangerously close to the stumps before the opener kicked it away.
Earlier, Katich was nearly run out after a botched quick single attempt. Katich pushed the ball to cover off James Anderson and hurried down the pitch but his partner remained planted at the bowler's end.
Katich was more than halfway down when he had to spin and scurry back as Alastair Cook scooped the ball and threw to the stumps, only to miss with Katich well short of his ground and Prior unable to get to the wicket in time.
Watson also survived a near miss in the morning. Watson, who was on 21, received a vicious bouncer which collected his inner arm as he rose to fend the delivery, and the ball fell dangerously close to the stumps before the opener kicked it away.
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