Warner, Clarke star for Australia

Australia are 5-299 at tea, surging to a commanding lead of 458 runs with five wickets in hand.

George Bailey is 33 not out on debut and Brad Haddin on one, with a declaration likely before stumps.

Warner's Ashes turnaround was flooded with irony, as he brought up a fourth Test ton by punching Joe Root through the covers.

He was ultimately out for 124 from 154 balls.

Meanwhile, Clarke answered question marks over his technique in emphatic style, with his 113 from just 115 deliveries the 25th century of his career.

Their third-wicket partnership was worth a blistering 158 runs from 175 balls, as England's bowlers were dispatched to every corner of the Gabba.

Spinner Graeme Swann at one point went for 28 from two overs and the wicket of Clarke just before tea was his only joy on a day where he was carted for 113 from 22 overs.

Stuart Broad took 2-45, and Chris Tremlett 2-40 but James Anderson (0-48) had no luck.

Warner scored four hundreds in the month leading into the Ashes series, and the left-handed opener is continuing his rich vein of form.

The 27-year-old kept the scoreboard ticking in his customary manner with eight fours, but also showed patience when starved of the strike.

After Australia's devastating form with the ball on day two, Warner played an important consolidation role to ensure a first Test victory is very much on track after Shane Watson and Chris Rogers played terrible shots to depart early.

England threatened another batting collapse at the Gabba, when they pinned Australia to 2-75 after the home side had resumed at 0-65.

A disastrous attempted pull shot from struggling No.3 Watson brought Clarke to the crease within the first 40 minutes of play and England immediately moved to set their traps.

Clarke had been dismissed six times by Broad in his past eight innings, looking particularly susceptible to the short ball dug into his ribs.

But it was a strong fightback.