- Scorecard

Australian middle-order batsman Michael Hussey [ Images ] led a counter-attack for the home team after England [ Images ] dominated the second session of Day 2 of the opening Ashes Test at the Gabba [ Images ] in Brisbane [ Images ] on Friday.

Replying to England's first innings score of 260, Australia [ Images ] were 220 for five when play was stopped due to bad light with a scheduled hour left.

Australia trail England by 40 runs with five wickets remaining in the 1st innings.

Hussey, unbeaten on 81 and Brad Haddin [ Images ] (22 not out) were at the crease sharing an unbeaten 77 run sixth-wicket partnership.

Their partnership steadied the innings after the hosts lost four wickets in a calamitous second session.

James Anderson [ Images ] (2 for 40) and Steven Finn (2 for 61) bowled well to peg back the Australians.

Ricky Ponting [ Images ] (10) and Simon Katich [ Images ] (50) fell in the first half hour after lunch. Michael Clarke [ Images ] (nine) was caught behind in the second hour and Marcus North (one) quickly followed.

Clarke top-edged a pull shot from Steven Finn (2-61) and North edged Graeme Swann [ Images ] (1-59) to slip.