Travis Head lit up Gabba with a brilliant century to put Australia in a commanding position at stumps on Day 2. They walked into the day on 343/7, ahead by 196 runs. David Warner rode his luck to score 94, while Marnus Labuschagne made 74.
Ollie Robinson was the most English impressive bowler, taking three wickets. He drew first blood in the morning, when he got rid of Marcus Harris. Later, Robinson got Warner with subtle change of pace, while Cam Green shouldered arms to one that came back to hit off stump.
Earlier, Warner was bowled, only for the television umpire to confirm that Ben Stokes had overstepped. It was later revealed that the first three balls of Stokes' over were all no-balls. In all, they missed 14 no-balls in the first five overs of Stokes.
Warner's knock included 11 fours and two sixes. He added 156 runs with Labuschagne. With Labuschagne's dismissal, Australia found themselves on 166/2, which soon became 199/5.
On debut, Alex Carey fell to Chris Woakes for 12. Woakes bowled decently without really threatening the Australians. Mark Wood, on the other hand, was incisive throughout the day, and dismissed Steven Smith on 12.
Head reached his third Test century in just 85 balls, bringing up the landmark with a straight drive off Woakes. He will resume on 112, with Mitchell Starc on 12.
Brief scores: England 147 (Jos Buttler 39; Pat Cummins 5-38) trail Australia 193/3 (Travis Head 112*; Ollie Robinson 3-30) by 196 runs.