England desperately need early wickets to revive their fortunes on day three of the final Test against Australia.
A brilliant half-century from Adam Gilchrist put Australia firmly on top as the hosts led England by 34 runs at lunch on day three in the Sydney Test.
Seeking to avoid becoming only the second England team to endure a 5-0 Ashes whitewash, they resume 103 ahead but with six Australia batsmen to oust.
England took only three wickets in the morning session, Australia motoring from 188-4 to 325-7 and Gilchrist was unlucky when given out on 62.
At the crease are Andrew Symonds, who defied England with 156 in Melbourne, and Mike Hussey, who has hit a 103 plus four fifties in six innings so far.
England got the ideal start when Michael Hussey was caught behind off James Anderson in the second over.
The match starts half an hour earlier at 2300 GMT to make up for time lost.
But Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds (48) put on 70 for the sixth wicket.
England were determined to gain the upper hand on the second day, but lost Paul Collingwood in the sixth over and that presaged a lower-order collapse.
And when Monty Panesar bowled Symonds, Shane Warne came in to hit his first ball for four and his second for six.
Veteran Australian seamer Glenn McGrath is only too aware of the importance of a strong start in the opening exchanges on day three.
He survived a massive appeal for caught-behind off Panesar on 10, and could also have been run out twice early in his innings.
I have got a lot more confidence coming from the fact I didn't feel great but still put the ball in a good area Steve Harmison
But England's fielding was not at its sharpest on Thursday - Gilchrist also survived two tough chances in the 20s - and the prospect of a dreaded 5-0 whitewash is looming.
"The first session will be quite important," the 36-year-old said.
Gilchrist had hit 102 not out from 59 balls in Perth and - with some booming drives and a symphony of stunning cut shots - he threatened something similar here.
"If we can get through that without losing any wickets, or not too many and get some runs on the board then I'd say we're in front.
His stand with Warne was worth 58 in barely seven overs when Read went up for a catch off Anderson and umpire Billy Bowden erroneously gave the decision to England.
"It would be nice to get a first-innings lead or quite a sizeable one and then see how we go."
But Warne was unbeaten on 40 at lunch and had the appetite for plenty more runs.
McGrath added cryptically: "If we go out there and have a good session, it's a real good session and if we have a bad session it's not too bad."
English hopes will again turn to Steve Harmison, who took only eight wickets at 65 runs apiece in the opening four Tests, but claimed 2-34 on day two in Sydney.
"I struggled a bit for rhythm," the Durham paceman revealed. "But I have got a lot more confidence coming from the fact I didn't feel great but still put the ball in a good area."
Harmison also allayed fears that skipper Andrew Flintoff, who bowled only six overs, had suffered further problems with his ankle.
"I think his ankle is fine," he said. "It was just that Jimmy (Anderson) and I were bowling well, and the rain break came at a good time for us."
