Centurion Michael Clarke played a true captain's innings as Australia shrugged off another umpiring controversy to rack up 303/3 on the first day of the third Test at Old Trafford yesterday.
Clarke was 125 not out at the close after notching the tourists' first ton of the series, while Steve Smith was unbeaten on 70 after a day of fluctuating fortunes ended with Australia on top.
England, are 2-0 up in the five-match series and will retain the Ashes at the revamped Manchester venue with a win or a draw.
Opener Chris Rogers, 35, fell short of his first Australia century when he was trapped lbw by a fullish ball from spinner Graeme Swann for 84.
Replays showed Rogers was right to be given out, but Usman Khawaja's dismissal before lunch was the major talking point.
He was adjudged to have been caught behind off Swann for one but reviewed the decision.
Third umpire Kumar Dharmasena sided with his colleague despite replays showing no obvious edge in the latest decision review system (DRS) dispute to afflict the series and Australia.
Shane Watson earlier got away with several loose shots but was caught at slip by Alastair Cook off Tim Bresnan for 19.
Clarke was impressive in his 24th Test ton if not at his very fluent best against Swann.
Smith survived another minor DRS controversy when England reviewed a not-out lbw decision, and Hawk-Eye said just less than half the ball would have hit the leg stump, thus reverting to the umpire's call.
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