Hussey, Haddin boost Aussie's chances

BRISBANE: A fighting century from Mike Hussey and an unbroken 186-run partnership with Brad Haddin pushed Australia into a first innings lead over England on the third day of the first Ashes Test at the Gabba on Saturday.

Hussey justified the selectors' faith in him to register his 12th Test century and ended a lean trot since his last hundred (134 no) against Pakistan in Sydney last January, 14 Test innings ago.

At lunch, Australia were 329 for five representing a lead of 69 runs with Hussey unbeaten on 124 and Haddin not out 79.

The match was slipping away from England as Australia began to build a healthy buffer of runs to help them when the scoring was likely to be tougher in the fourth innings.

Australia had kept England out in the field for 114 overs and more than eight hours.