England back in contention after brave fightback

England have staged a remarkable revival on the second day of the first Test at the Gabba, dismissing Australia for 492 and ending the day in the relatively strong position of 158 for the loss of just one wicket. After Ashley Giles took four wickets for the tourists, Marcus Trescothick and Mark Butcher both completed unbeaten half centuries.

Resuming at 2/364, Australia crumbled and their middle order failed. Only Shane Warne (57) provided any stability down the order. Matthew Hayden (197) was out early, caught behind off the glove as he looked to cash in on an Andrew Caddick (3/108) short ball. The left-hander looked tired after his marathon innings yesterday - it was probably his determination rather than his strokeplay that got him as close as he did to the double century.

After the departure of Hayden, Damien Martyn (26), Steve Waugh (7) and Darren Lehmann (30) did nothing to cement their places in the team. Martyn needed runs to justify his promotion to number four. Waugh, under ever-increasing pressure to justify his place, was caught at leg gully off Caddick. Lehmann is returning to Test cricket after an absence of nearly four years. All three missed a chance to boost their confidence for the remainder of the series.

With Adam Gilchrist out without scoring, Warne was the only contributor from the lower order. His rapid 50 included eight boundaries, but his team-mates were pinned down by the England bowlers' improved line and length. They all bowled better than yesterday, particularly Giles (4/101) and Craig White (2/105), who changed the tempo of the match for their captain.

After Warne eventually fell to Caddick, the stitching completely unravelled. Lehmann and Andy Bichel were dismissed by consecutive balls from Giles, and although Jason Gillespie denied the left-arm spinner a hat-trick. Glenn McGrath did not trouble the scorers and added the third duck to the Australian scorecard.

The England openers Trescothick (63*) and Vaughan (33) got off to a flyer. Vaughan was particularly aggressive, smashing McGrath (1/57) out of the attack, taking 23 off his first four overs. Vaughan hit the lanky pace bowler to all parts of the ground, showing no respect for the number one ranked bowler in the world.

Although McGrath got his own back when Vaughan nicked a ball that nipped back off the seam through to Gilchrist, that was the only joy for Australia, as England dealt confidently with Warne (0/46) and Bichel (0/40). Gillespie, apparently injured, bowled just three overs.

Trescothick was dropped twice, by Martyn at slip and Hayden at point. It may cost Australia dearly, as both he and Butcher have gone on to post half centuries. The dropping of Mark Waugh has resulted in players shifting from their regular positions. Martyn has moved to second slip, with Ponting moving into third and Steve Waugh moving into the cover region.

England's recovery has set up what could be an enthralling third day, with Australia needing to regroup and focus on playing positive cricket, much as the tourists did today.