Australia vs. England- 1st Ashes Test- Day 3 Preview

Every series the hype seems to intensify, and every series the Ashes delivers.

The contest lived up to its billing of being too close to call yesterday on a topsy-turvy day for both teams.

Seemingly down and out following a clinical opening stand between Katich and Watson, England's bowlers staged a spirited fightback before being put back in their box by an entertaining Michael Hussey, whose unbeaten 81 gave Australia the edge at close.

England's bowlers did well between lunch and tea, as the hosts slid from 96-1 to 143-5. Australia lost four wickets during the afternoon session as James Anderson and Steven Finn produced fantastic spells.

Hussey took the world’s leading spinner for a boatload, including five fours and a six, while Swann, along with the quicks, regularly dropped short to feed Hussey's pull.

Funnily enough, it was not Hussey’s innings that caused a stir, but rather the manner in which he went about it that many are considering having set the tone for the series. Of particular interest was his handling of Graeme Swann.

Hussey was the man to watch on day two, displaying the raw hunger and talent of a man who might have been dropped had he not produced a timely century for Western Australia in the warm up to this clash.

As predicted, Anderson proved key, claiming two vital wickets, but also keeping his economy rate under two. He trapped the pivotal talisman of Ricky Ponting with a loose delivery down leg- no mean feat when considering that Ponting fell for only his third score below fifty in matches at the Gabba since 2003.

Marcus North once again struggled and another fall in single figures, the 15th time in 33 innings, means that he will once again be under debate over his position at number 6 leading into the second Test.

Finn claimed his first Ashes victim when Katich, after ploughing away to yet another half-century, scooped one back to the youngster, who stooped low in his follow-through to hold a fine catch

Finn rode the momentum and found Hussey's edge first ball, however the ball fell agonisingly short of Swann at second slip.

All in all, the day belonged to the hosts. England showed glimpses of their capabilities, yet Haddin and Hussey seemed to put a stranglehold on any momentum in the final session.

On a day when fortunes had flowed back and forth, it was a disappointing conclusion. Strauss's men knowing that one or two quick wickets late in the day may have prevented Australia establishing a sizeable lead, however were just not finding the line to force any errors.

England were desperate to grab hold of the second new ball in the final session, however the moment it became available the light closed in, followed shortly by rain, meaning that cricket fans around the world will be forced to wait until this afternoon to witness yet another chapter in this epic battle.

The hosts are easily odds on favourites at this stage, however one would imagine that if placing a wager, that a wait until the end of the third day’s first session might be a safer call.

The third morning will undoubtedly be compulsive viewing.