England faced a long battle to save the first Ashes Test at the Gabba after Michael Hussey and Brad Haddin's hundreds in their monumental sixth-wicket stand.

Hussey, with 176 not out, and Haddin, unbeaten on 134, put on a ground record best stand for any wicket of 293 - so far - to help Australia pile up a first-innings 436 for five, and a lead of 176, by tea on day three. England's four-strong frontline attack did not flag up to lunch but began to wilt afterwards as their fruitless efforts and inevitable frustration took a toll.

Australia's sixth-wicket pair began their partnership with the hosts still 117 runs behind on Friday afternoon, but they mercilessly ground England down for the next 87 overs through the course of four sessions. Hussey brought up his century with a supremely-placed drive off Stuart Broad wide of mid-off, for his 15th four to go with one six from 197 balls.

Natural shotmaker Haddin, initially the silent partner, became more typically expansive - and he reached three figures in the grand manner with a six over long-on, having advanced down the wicket to Graeme Swann. That blow came from the 222nd ball he faced, and came in addition to 11 fours.

James Anderson, in particular, bowled very well with the second new ball - to no avail - in an eight-over spell on a sunny morning from the Vulture Street end. He beat the bat countless times but failed to find the edge.

England, already out of decision review options, suffered an early psychological blow when Hussey overturned an lbw decision on 82 after simulation indicated the ball from Anderson pitched just outside leg stump.

Three runs later, Hussey survived again when Aleem Dar this time turned down a similar appeal by Anderson - which might have proved successful, had England still had recourse to the third umpire.

It was not until Andrew Strauss introduced Swann, with Australia nine runs in front, that Hussey recorded his first four of the day, 90 minutes in - down the wicket and driven over mid-off to put him within one shot of his hundred.

Haddin was starting to go through the gears, and when England resorted to Paul Collingwood - with a hopeful ring on the drive - to give the frontline attack much-needed respite, the wicketkeeper-batsman immediately went over the top. His first attempt, on 63, gave England a half-chance. But Alastair Cook could not cling on with outstretched fingers running back from mid-off.

By the time Anderson missed a similar, but easier, chance - at mid-on when Haddin mis-pulled Broad on 113 - it was clear England were suffering from their long toil. That was as near as they came too to a much-needed breakthrough, on a wicket probably at its best for batting on this middle day.