The China Mail - England nemesis Starc stretches Australia lead in Gabba Ashes Test

The buoyant hosts went into the first break at a sun-kissed Gabba on 450-8, a crucial lead of 116 on the first innings.

Starc, England's tormentor-in-chief with 16 wickets in the first two Tests, was just shy of a half-century with Scott Boland alongside him on seven.

The ninth-wicket pair put on an unbeaten 34-run partnership on a blisteringly hot Brisbane day.

Just as important as the lead was the time the Australians used up, ensuring that when England do get to bat in their second innings they will be facing more overs under the lights when the pink ball is relatively new.

The hosts lead the series 1-0 after winning at Perth inside two days.

When Australia resumed the third day on 378-6 with a lead of 44, England would have been hoping to take the last four wickets quickly and not face too large a deficit.

Michael Neser only added one run to his overnight 15 before edging England captain Ben Stokes to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.

Australian keeper Alex Carey brought up his half-century but on 63 he tried to cut Gus Atkinson, only to get an edge to Smith with just over an hour of the session remaining.

But any England hopes of wrapping up the innings began to fade as Starc and Boland saw off an increasingly frustrated attack.

Starc farmed the strike throughout the partnership, ensuring Boland only faced one or two balls an over, and the two looked in no real trouble against England bowlers short of ideas on how to break through.

P.Ho--ThChM