Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath captured six wickets in his first Test for almost 11 months as England [Images] collapsed to 157 all out on the third day of the first Ashes Test on Saturday.

- Scorecard

McGrath took six for 50 in an inspired spell of bowling, Stuart Clark picked up three wickets and Brett Lee [Images] one as the Australian seamers mopped up the English tail.

The tourists had resumed at the Gabba in deep trouble on 53 for three in reply to Australia's 602-9 declared and finished 445 runs behind after losing their last seven wickets for just 79.

Australia could have enforced the follow-on but captain Ricky Ponting [Images] opted to bat again, seeking to protect his bowlers from doing too much work at the start of a series involving five tests in just seven weeks.

McGrath triggered the collapse when he removed dangerman Kevin Pietersen [Images] lbw for 16 when the batsman failed to offer a shot to ball that pitched outside off stump and darted back in.

England's troubles deepened in the next over when Lee dismissed England captain Andrew Flintoff [Images] for a duck, caught behind by Adam Gilchrist [Images].

Ian Bell [Images] and Geraint Jones put on 47 for the sixth wicket to stall the Australian bowlers but the end came quickly once Jones fell lbw to McGrath for 19 soon after lunch.

Bell batted almost four hours to make 50 but his resistance finally ended when he edged Clark to Ponting at slip. Matthew Hoggard [Images] and Steve Harmison made ducks and Ashley Giles scored 24 before skying McGrath to cover to give the experienced seamer his sixth scalp.