Australia vs. England- 1st Ashes Test- Day 4 Preview

England have it all to do over the next two days, with this match seemingly going in one direction- an Australia win.

Michael Hussey and Brad Haddin wrote themselves into the history books yesterday with a monumental 307-run partnership, as Australia took an undeniable grip on the opening Test in Brisbane.

The mammoth partnership was a record for any wicket at the Gabba, and placed the hosts with a formidable lead of 221. However, while the third day act might have belonged to Australia as a whole, it was most certainly Michael Hussey that played the lead role.

Hussey amassed a career -best 195 as the England bowlers were made to toil for the better part of a day with nothing but a tan to show for it.

James Anderson, with the second new ball in hand, made the first hour of the day particularly difficult for both Hussey and Haddin.  The Australian pair however knows the importance of surviving through the opening session, and relying on a dose of good fortune, and old-school scrappy play, they managed to set up a partnership that will go down in Ashes folklore.

Steven Finn did provided England a late boost with a career-best six wicket haul, while Anderson was unlucky not to see any reward for his tight, and at times, unplayable spells.

Hussey had made his intent to unsettle Swann with attacking strokeplay clear from the get-go, taking just two balls to dispatch him for four and again making a statement against the world's leading spinner.

The Australian plan to get after Swann has proven effective so far, and the way he responds throughout the rest of the series will be key to England's chances of retaining the urn.

Not long after Hussey celebrated an emotional ton, Haddin was celebrating a century of his own- just reward for the restraint shown earlier in his innings. The keeper was fortunate to survive a hit out at Paul Collingwood on 65 and then handed a second lifeline, being put down by Anderson to cap off a miserable day for the seamer.

The pivotal moment of the day, and possibly the series occurred when Anderson trapped Hussey dead in front; however Aleem Dar, in a rare mistake, was unmoved. England having already used both reviews could do nothing about it, and Hussey went on to grip this Test by the throat.

Once the England breakthrough did come, the Australian tail order proved rather futile.

Mitchell Johnson, who had been padded up all day failed to get off the mark by being clean bowled in his 19-ball stay. Siddle was too early on his pull and edged to slip to give England youngster Finn the third five-wicket haul of his short career.

Facing a monumental deficit of 221, the England openers were made to negotiate a challenging 15 overs, reaching 19 without loss by the close of play.

Strauss, who was sitting on a pair, was given a major scare off his first ball being rapped on the top of his pad and surviving a confident Australian appeal.  

Make no mistake, this Test is Australia’s to lose. Against all the hype and statistical build up of this series, the hosts are clear favourites to go 1-0 up in this series. This will be a huge psychological blow to the visitors, and just the start that a resurgent Aussie side will be looking for.

Prediction: Australia to win with Strauss top-scoring for England in the second innings.