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Brisbane - Steve Finn and James Anderson bowled England back into contention for the first Ashes Test on the second day at the Gabba on Friday.
England stormed back with four wickets in the middle session with Finn and Anderson leading the way as England recovered from a lethargic morning to put the Australians under pressure.
At tea, Australia were 168 for five to trail England by 92 runs.
Mike Hussey was leading the rearguard with an unbeaten 46 with Brad Haddin on nine.
England came out roaring straight after lunch claiming the prized wicket of Ricky Ponting for 10 with Anderson's second delivery and removing opener Simon Katich for 50.
Ponting attempted to glance down the leg-side only to get a fine edge to Matt Prior.
It was a massive wicket for England with the Australian skipper averaging 66.44 in his 14 Tests at the Gabba and who set up the last Ashes series down under four years ago when he scored 196 in the first innings of the corresponding Test.
Katich was on his way after Finn flung his giant frame to the ground to take a sprawling return catch in the 37th over.
It was Katich's 25th half-century in 55 Tests and his fourth against England.
Hussey, who has been under pressure to hold his Test spot, nervously edged his first ball from Finn just in front of Swann in the slips, while Clarke survived a referral on a catch appeal off Finn's bowling before he had scored.
Clarke's fitful innings came to an end at nine off 50 balls when he attempted a pull shot off Finn only to top edge a catch to Prior.
Clarke had been suffering back trouble in the lead-up to the Ashes opener.
It was Prior's 100th Test dismissal -- 96 catches and four stumpings -- in his 36th Test match.
The inconsistent Marcus North lasted just eight balls for one before he prodded forward and edged offspinner Graeme Swann to Paul Collingwood at slip leaving Australia at 143 for five in the 53rd over.
It was the fourth time Swann had taken the wicket of the West Australian left-hander in Tests.
At tea, Finn had 2-50 off 13 overs and Anderson 2-36 off 18 overs.
Australia only lost the wicket of Shane Watson in the morning session after resuming at 25 without loss.
Watson beat off an England referral for lbw but he was out to Anderson's next ball when he edged to Andrew Strauss at first slip for 36.
England have not won the Brisbane Test since Mike Gatting's team prevailed by seven wickets six tours ago, on the way to their last Australian series victory in 1986/87.
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