Ashes 2013-14 catch-up: Australia v England, first Test, day three

The day in 50 words

Australia started on top. Finished on top.

David Warner and Michael Clarke very good. Both got hundreds. Three wickets for Chris Tremlett. Graeme Swann expensive.

Tricky last hour for England. Carberry went. Trott frenetic. Matter of time. Mitchell Johnson got him.

England 24-2, need 537. Two days left. Rain dance?

Full day three report from Brisbane

Match scorecard

Moment of the day

It was inevitable from the moment he walked to the crease. Mitchell Johnson bombarded Jonathan Trott with short stuff and the England batsman went on the attack.

It brought a painfully unconvincing nine runs. A frenetic Trott continued to walk across his stumps and duly flicked one into the air to backward square leg, where Nathan Lyon took a good catch.

The biggest test of Trott's career is now upon him.

Listen to a clip of the moment of the day on Test Match Special

Man of the day

Michael Clarke's tame first-innings dismissal to a Stuart Broad bouncer left England believing they had discovered a chink in the Aussie skipper's armour.

The tourists even allowed Clarke a gentle single from the final ball of James Anderson's over to ensure he was on strike to face his nemesis Broad.

Following a wink from his captain Alastair Cook, Broad opted for some double bluff as he sent down three balls on a length. But when the bumper arrived from the fourth delivery, Clarke pulled it away from in front of his nose to the square leg boundary for four.

It was the perfect riposte to anyone doubting his technique against the short ball and set the tone for a magnificent attacking century.

Pint-sized Ashes: A two-minute round-up of the day

Stats of the day

• Michael Clarke is the third batsman to pass 1,000 Test runs at the Gabba. In his last 10 Tests at home, Clarke has scored 1,589 runs at an average of 132.

• Brad Haddin is only the fourth Australia wicketkeeper to score two half-centuries in a Test. Ian Healy, Adam Gilchrist and Jack Blackham are the others.

• Graeme Swann took his 250th wicket in his 58th Test. That's the third quickest for England, behind only Ian Botham and Fred Trueman.

• Jonathan Trott has got out to left-arm pace bowlers 12 times this year, averaging only 20 against them.

What they said

England fast bowler James Anderson: "We are in a tricky position. We have to show a lot of fight and character tomorrow, which we know we have got. We've shown it in the past and if there are some clouds that can come over and help us, then great."

Australia batsman David Warner: "We'll take the third wicket tomorrow morning and hopefully we take the rest after that. Our bowlers are bowling fast at the moment. England are on the back foot.

"It will be massive for us to take a 1-0 lead. The boys are on a high, but we've got to come out and take those eight wickets."

Listen to Test Match Special highlights and commentary clips

The expert view

Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan: "Jonathan Trott's innings was as bad as any I have seen from an England number three. For the first time in his career, there is a big question mark next to his name. The short-ball syndrome is the worst you could possibly have as a batsman."

Former Australia captain Allan Border: "There's nothing like an Ashes series to get the adrenaline pumping. The crowd sense that Australia are on a rise and can compete with a very good England team. We were on a downer at 132-6 and it's been an incredible turnaround."

Ex-England batsman Geoffrey Boycott: "It's a worry for England about Graeme Swann because he is 30% of the bowling attack. If he doesn't have a big effect, England are seriously depleted. I thought he might get some turn at Adelaide but I've since heard it's going to be flat. It will turn at Sydney too, but we might be out of the series by then."

Listen to Jonathan Agnew and Geoff Boycott's review of the day on the TMS podcast

Swann's struggles

Australia have a clear gameplan to attack Graeme Swann in this series - the England offie finishing with second-innings figures of 2-135 from 27 overs. Going at five an over is never a happy experience, but at least the Notts man could raise a smile when he passed the mark for 100 runs conceded. He even got a 'congratulatory' handshake from fellow bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad. A lighter moment on a miserable day for the tourists.

The Twitterati

Ex-Australia all-rounder Tom Moody: Quality innings from Michael Clarke, particularly after his first-innings dismissal. Far too hot in the kitchen for Trott, didn't want to be out there!

Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie: Clear, simple plans. Backing players publicly and privately. Positive environment. Aggressive cricket. Boof influence [Darren Lehmann].

Daily Telegraph cricket writer Nick Hoult: There was a fear England and Australia lacked any personalities. KP, Broad and Warner have proved that unfounded this week.

And finally...

Test Match Special did a Q&A with Australian fast-bowling legend Glenn McGrath at the interval. He compared his Australian team of the 1990s with the West Indians of the 1970s and '80s, and Brian Lara with Sachin Tendulkar. And he also admitted his fondness for a sweet treat is making him bulk up in retirement.

"I probably need to cut down," said McGrath. "I have an Italian wife who is an incredible cook. I like to finish off my lunch with something sweet - chocolate is my favourite thing. It's not as easy to burn off when you are not bowling 25 overs a day."

Read more stories and rumours from the Australian and UK media on our Ashes gossip page.

Catch up with a two-minute summary of Test Match Special commentary with Pint-sized Ashes.

For a gallery of images from the day's play go to the BBC Sport Facebook page.