BRISBANE: Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin both hit centuries in a record partnership of 307 to put Australia firmly in control of the first Ashes Test at the end of the third day at the Gabba Saturday. Hussey hit a career best innings of 195 and Haddin pitched in with an impressive 136 as they dominated the day to help steer Australia to 481 all out and a first innings lead of 221 runs. England captain Andrew Strauss, on a pair after a first innings duck, had a scare on his first ball but survived 15 tough overs with fellow opener Alastair Cook to leave the tourists on 19-0 in their second innings. “The Ashes is what you dream of playing as a kid so to just be a part of the Ashes series is fantastic, but to score a hundred in the first Test, it's a dream come true,” said Hussey, who hit 26 fours and one six in his eight-hour innings. Hussey and Haddin, who came together Friday with Australia wobbling at 143 for five, weathered England's new ball onslaught in the morning before tearing off the shackles as the tourists toiled in the afternoon heat. “I think the first hour-and-a-half was probably the hardest test bowling I've ever had to face with (Stuart) Broad and (James) Anderson bowling,” said Haddin. The partnership was the highest in a Test match at the Gabba, beating Don Bradman and Lindsay Hassett's 276 for Australia in the 1946-47 Ashes series. Haddin, who had resumed on 25, stifled his attacking instincts but still scored more freely than his partner to drive Australia past England's first innings tally of 260. Hussey, whose place in the team was under threat before the series, then sparked wild celebrations from another packed house at the Gabba when he brought up his 12th Test century. A euphoric Hussey pumped his fists then raised his bat and helmet in the air as he took the ovation before embracing Haddin in the middle of the wicket. “He just told me to enjoy the moment,” said Haddin. Back in Test cricket after missing much of the year through injury, Haddin reached his century in some style after lunch by clubbing a six over spin bowler Graeme Swann's head to long-on. Haddin was the first to fall, caught by Paul Collingwood off the bowling of Swann and Hussey followed three overs later when he miscued a pull shot to allow Cook a catch at mid-wicket, just five runs short of a double century. “I was very determined to get to two hundred but it wasn't to be,” he said. “As I was walking off I thought however disappointed I was I had to enjoy the fantastic ovation from the Gabba crowd. “Emotions went through my body that I'll never forget.” Hussey was Steve Finn's third victim of the match and the young pace bowler then ripped through the Australian tail to finish with 6-125, his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket. “It was a very tough day of Test cricket for us,” said the 21-year-old. The day might have been very different but for the umpire referral system. Hussey had added just one run to his overnight total of 81 when he was given out lbw to James Anderson but a review of the TV pictures showed the ball had pitched outside leg stump and umpire Aleem Dar's decision was overturned. Soon afterwards, he was giving thanks that England had already used the two reviews allowed in each innings when Dar turned down a loud shout for lbw from Anderson. Replays showed Hussey would have gone had an appeal been available to England. England will also rue missed catches from Cook and Anderson which would have curtailed Haddin's innings but they did finally get a break from the TV umpire when they went out to bat. Australian quick Ben Hilfenhaus bowled a corker of a first delivery to Strauss and when the appeal for lbw drew no response he requested a review, which was turned down.
