Ashes 1st Test at Gabba Day 3: Warner, Clarke tons put Australia in control

David Warner and Michael Clarke scored dominant centuries to put Australia firmly in control of the first Ashes Test on Saturday and leave England needing an unlikely 537 for victory at the end of day three at the Gabba.

The hosts declared their second innings at 401 for seven an hour before stumps and compounded their advantage by removing Michael Carberry and Jonathan Trott cheaply to leave England clinging on at 24 for two with two days to play.

England would need to better the best ever fourth innings run chase in Test cricket by 143 runs to get the 561 runs for victory but more realistically will look to dig in and hope the rainstorms forecast for Brisbane materialise.

Barring a 15-minute rain delay before lunch, the weather failed England on Saturday and the day instead belonged to belligerent opener Warner and his cultured captain.

Put in the driving seat when their bowlers dismissed the tourists for 136 at the Gabba on Friday, the pair gleefully grasped the controls and raced away from England in a 158-run partnership for the third wicket.

Warner hammered 124 off 154 balls for his fourth Test century and first against England, while Clarke's 113 came off 130 balls for the 25th hundred of his career and sixth in the Ashes.

"England are on the back foot," said Warner. "It does look like they've got scared eyes at the moment.

"The way that Trotty got out today was pretty poor and weak. Obviously there's a weakness there and we're on top of it at the moment."

Such days have been rare in a miserable year for Australia, who failed to win a single Test in back-to-back series defeats in India and England, and the packed house at the Gabba revelled in the summer sunshine.

Australia had resumed on 65 without loss but Chris Rogers was gone, caught at point from Stuart Broad's first delivery, before Warner had the five runs he needed for his half century.

That was clearly never the extent of Warner's ambition, though, and with Clarke having weathered an early storm of short bowling and looking settled at the other end, he moved inexorably towards the first century of the match.

He had a nervous moment in the last over before lunch when England referred a failed appeal for leg before wicket to the TV umpire, but the replay showed Graeme Swann's delivery missed his front pad and clattered into the bat.

There were another nervous few moments on 99 before Warner found a gap in the covers for two runs off the bowling of Joe Root, the England player he infamously punched in a Birmingham bar before the first Ashes series of the year.

"A lot of credit goes to our bowlers for the way their came out yesterday and dictated for the rest of the guys to come out today and play," Warner added.

"It was fantastic to get a partnership out there with (Clarke) and put us in a great position."

BROAD REVENGE

Warner continued in the same vein after passing the milestone but three balls after smashing Broad for his only six over the bowler's head, he nicked behind and the Englishman had his revenge.

Clarke, meanwhile, passed 1,000 runs at the Gabba and pushed his team's lead past 400 with a four off Broad before punching the ball through the onside for a couple of runs to claim his fifth century at the ground.

Off-spinner Swann ended up with figures of 2-135 after taking some serious punishment from Warner and Clark, including 16 runs in one miserable over.

He did get a measure of retribution, though, by tempting Clarke into stepping out only to miss the line for an ignominious dismissal the Australia skipper's innings did not deserve.

England also got the wickets of opener Chris Rogers (16), Shane Watson (6) and Steve Smith (0) cheaply but debutant George Bailey joined in the run spree with two sixes in his 34.

Brad Haddin, who made 94 in the first innings in his 50th Test match, inflated the score with a 55-ball 53 and Mitchell Johnson pitched in with an unbeaten 39 as even England's vaunted fielding lost its way.

While Carberry was unfortunate to guide a Ryan Harris delivery between his own legs and onto the stumps for a duck, Trott's decision to attack the short ball looked almost suicidal and resulted in him holing out in the deep for nine.

Kevin Pietersen, who almost ran Alastair Cook out on the first ball he faced, had reached three not out at the close of play with his captain set to resume on 11.

"What we've got in abundance in our dressing room is fight and character, we've shown that in the past, and we've just got to keep scrapping as hard as we can," fast bowler James Anderson said.

"We know it's a long series and if we do lose this match we're going to go down fighting, that's just the way we play our cricket."

EVENING SESSION

Johnson picks his first victim. It was totally an uncalled for shot from Trott at this stage. Eng 10-2 in 7.1 overs.

I Trott c Lyon b Johnson 9 (11m 9b 1x4 0x6)

Brilliant stuff from Harris. Englad lose their first wicket during the mammoth chase. Eng 4-1 in 5 overs.

M Carberry b Harris 0 (18m 14b 0x4 0x6)

England openers - Cook and Carberry - have to ensure they do not lose any wickets in the last hour of the day.

AUSTRALIA INNINGS

Australia have declared their innings at 401-7 to secure a lead of 560. England have a big task cut out to see off the remaining part of the day and the next two days.

Haddin departs but he has played his role. AUS 401-7 in 94 overs.

B Haddin c Anderson b Tremlett 53 (78m 55b 5x4 0x6)

Another good knock from Australian batsman. This time it's Haddin as he scores his half century. Johnson at the other end is quickly approaching as well. Aus 387-6 in 92 overs..

Johnson is hurry for runs as Haddin nears his half century. Aus 356-6 in 88 overs.

Australia's lead crosses 500. Clarke looks to be busy in the dressing room. Aus 343-6 in 85 overs.

Haddin in smashing form as he blasts three boundaries off Anderson. Aus 325-6 in 81 overs.

There is success immediately after tea. Swann gets his second Aus 305-6 in 79 overs.

G Bailey b Swann 34 (58m 61b 1x4 2x6)

AFTERNOON SESSION

Australia are in commanding position with a huge lead of 458 after Australia made 299 for five in 77 overs at Tea. David Warner and Michael Clarke struck superb centuries to flatten England bowlers.

Clarke charges in to go for a big one but misses. But he's played a fine innings. Aus 294-5 in 75 overs.

M Clarke b Swann 113 (197m 130b 9x4 1x6)

Very well played by Clarke. He played a fine knock to keep the England bowlers on their toes. Aus 278-4 in 70 overs

Australia's scoring rate has been very impressive. Aus 265-4 in 67 overs

Tremlett is gone for a duck. Australia take the lead past 400. Clark in 90. Aus 243-4 in 62 overs.

S Smith c Prior b Tremlett 0 (13m 7b 0x4 0x6)

Warner hammers a six and then departs. A brilliant knock comes to an end. Aus 233-3 in 58.4 overs.

D Warner c Prior b Broad 124 (288m 154b 13x4 1x6)

Australia keeping the pressure on England bowlers. 16 runs from that Swann's over as Australia cross 200. Aus 203-2 in 54 overs.

It took a while on 99 but he gets its in style with a fine cover shot for three runs. Aus 182-2 in 52 overs

Clarke looks to be aggressive as he reaches his half century. Australia lead by 332. Aus 173-2 in 50 overs.

Another good over for Australia. Warner in his 90s. Aus 161-2 in 47 overs.

Clarke gets going immediately. A boundary off Root and Australia cross 150. AUS 151-2 in 46 overs.

MORNING SESSION

Australia are in total control, despite the two early wickets as the lead is 304 at Lunch. Warner is batting superbly on 83 while Clarke is going strong at 34.

Two back to back boundaries from Clarke. Sheer class. Aus 131-2 in 40 overs.

Australia cross 100. Watson on 57. Clarke on 18.

Clarke in total control. Two fine boundaries. Aus 88-2 in 32 overs.

Oh that's another. Watson hammers a boundary but Tremlett fights back to end Watson's run. Aus 77-2 in 30 overs.

S Watson c Broad b Tremlett 6 (28m 27b 1x4 0x6)

Early success for England on Day 3. Rogers is gone.

C Rogers c Carberry b Broad 16 (94m 81b 1x4 0x6)

Australia look in total command after a brilliant bowling display of pace on Day 2. They already have a big lead and will look to wrap the match in style.

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