England strike early and then watch their deficit grow.
Australia has tightened its grip on the first Ashes Test as their lead grew to a commanding 304 at lunch on day three at the Gabba in Brisbane.
David Warner and captain Michael Clarke took the fight to the England attack, with a mixture of excellent strokeplay and quick running between the wickets turning the screws on the under fire tourists as the score for their second dig became 145-2
Warner moved towards his ton at 83 while Clarke looked in solid form as he made his way to 34.
England got the perfect start to the day when Chris Rogers hit a rank long-hop straight to Michael Carberry in a bizarre way to end his innings.
Rogers departed for 16 in just the second over of the day as the ball continued to dominate the Test.
Chris Tremlett struck on the third ball of his spell, when Shane Watson skied an attempted pull shot, after having blasted one to the boundary earlier in the over.
Watson departed for six and the score moved to 75-2, as England showed signs of fighting back.
That brought Clarke to the crease, along with him the return of Stuart Broad to the attack.
The Australian skipper was tested with several short balls early in his innings, and Clarke showed the
willingness to go after them.
Warner scored his ninth 50 in 23 Tests as Australia took its score to 94-2, however, soon after the players left the field as rain came across the ground for the first time, with predictions coming true.
Clarke continued to look busy for the home side after the brief interruption, as Cook continued to give Warner a single in the hope of having Broad bowl as exclusively to his opposite number.
Warner then passed his previous highest score against England, that being 71 at Durham, as he and his captain continued to place pressure on the England attack.
Just before lunch Warner was hit in front by Swann with the score on 145-2, with some conjecture over if it hit bat or his leg first.
Replays shows the left-hander clearly hit the face of the bat first, as Cook and his side wasted a review as both Warner and Clarke went into lunch in-form.
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