Australia have claimed two quick wickets before tea to take charge on day two of the first Test.
A record-breaking 10th-wicket partnership between Ashton Agar and Phil Hughes helped the visitors pass England just before lunch, with Agard eventually caught by Graeme Swann on 98 runs.
Agar's debut haul of 98 was a world record from a number 11, helping Australia reach a first-innings total of 280.
England attempted to build momentum with an aggressive start to their second innings, with Joe Root and Alastair Cook first to lead the charge.
Just before tea a dramatic pair of dismissals in quick succession piled the pressure on England to respond.
First Joe Root was removed by Mitchell Starc with a leg-side delivery, caught behind by Brad Haddin.
With his next ball Starc had Jonathan Trott in trouble, with umpire Aleem Dar's decision against lbw overturned by the third umpire after a review from the Aussies.
England now stand at 11-2 at tea, 54 runs behind their opponents ahead of the second day's final session.
