Hussey, Haddin put Aussies in command

Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin both hit magical 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 on Saturday.

Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin both hit magical 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 on Saturday.

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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 on 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. 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 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.