England blown away as Australia take command in Ashes
England were today facing a huge battle to save the first Test after being blown away on the second day in Brisbane.
A devastating spell of bowling from Australia, led by rejuvenated seamer Mitchell Johnson, sparked England's worst batting collapse Down Under for 23 years.
From 82-2, England lost six wickets for nine runs before eventually being dismissed for just 136, their worst figures since losing six wickets for two runs at Melbourne in 1990.
Australia, who had earlier been bowled out for 295 in their first innings, then reached 65-0 by the close of play to establish a commanding lead of 224 at the Gabba.
Only Michael Carberry (40) and Stuart Broad (32) offered any real resistance as the tourists wilted during an intense spell of bowling from the hosts.
Johnson, who has struggled with his game in the past and failed to claim a wicket in Brisbane three years ago, was the main man as he finished with figures of 4-61 including the key wickets of England's top scorer Michael Carberry (40) and the out-of-sorts Jonathan Trott (10).
His spell drew praise from Australia great Glenn McGrath who said: "Mitchell promised a lot going into this series and we said beforehand that he had to play after the way he had been bowling in the one-dayers in England and then in India.
"He was bowling hostile spells, he was bowling quickly on pretty placid decks in India and he came out here today and showed what he can do.
"He bowled aggressively, he bowled good pace and really stuck it up the English batsmen, really got into them, got into Trott.
"He only bowled three balls to Carberry from around the wicket, but looked menacing and then he got stuck into the tail. That is probably as fast and as aggressive a bowling spell as I have seen for a long time."
Johnson's fellow seamer Ryan Harris claimed three wickets, including England skipper Alastair Cook, while spinner Nathan Lyon dismissed Ian Bell and Matt Prior in consecutive balls as the tourists crumbled.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said: "What we saw today was quick bowling at its best, Mitchell Johnson changed the course of the match as did Ryan Harris.
"The Australia attack compared to 2011-11 is a lot better Harris has made a massive difference and Nathan Lyon has definitely added something in the spin department. You look at Trott and Cook they were the mainstay but Trott, for the first time, questions are being asked about him against pace, Mitchell Johnson roughed him up and his feet were all over the place."
For England the statistics make for unpleasant reading. The tourists have now failed to pass 200 in the first innings of the opening Test in their last five tours.
In their last 48 innings, they have only passed 400 eight times – and not once in their last 16 attempts.
Broad, England's hero of the first day, had earlier finished with 6-81 as Australia were dismissed for 271-8 overnight. Brad Haddin was the last man to fall, run out for 94.
