Australia 295 & 401-7 (Warner 124, Clarke 113) v
England 136 (Johnson 4-61) & 24-2
First Ashes Test, Brisbane, day three
Scorecard | Day One | Day Two

David Warner and Michael Clarke both scored centuries as Australia continued to dominate the first Ashes Test in Brisbane, setting England an unlikely 561 to win on day three.

And at stumps, England had already lost the wickets of Michael Carberry and Jonathan Trott, leaving Australia massive favourites to wrap up victory either tomorrow or on the final day - unless rain comes to the tourists' rescue.

At 24 for two and looking out of sorts, it may be the only way they can get to Adelaide without being 1-0 down in the five-match series.

Stuart Broad struck with the first ball he bowled to remove Chris Rogers and soon after Chris Tremlett dismissed Shane Watson to raise hopes of an England fightback but thanks to Warner's 124 in 154 balls and Clarke's 113 in 130, it didn't materialise.

The pair put on 158 together for the third wicket and after they fell, Australia advanced to 401 for seven before declaring thanks to George Bailey (34), Brad Haddin (53) and Mitchell Johnson (39 not out).

Tremlett finished with three for 69 as Broad and Graeme Swann took a brace of wickets.

No team in first-class cricket has ever chased down a score as big as 561 and England's target is more realistically to bat for the rest of the match.

Their chances of managing that were hit, first by Ryan Harris, who bowled Carberry for a 14-ball duck, and then Johnson, who had Trott caught by Nathan Lyon for a run-a-ball nine.

Unbeaten at stumps were Alastair Cook (11 not out) and Kevin Pietersen (3 not out).

© Cricket World 2013