Pat Murphy on the afternoon session

At tea England were 237 for six, a total which represented a real recovery from a disastrous start to the rain delayed match.

But it could have been so much better after Alec Stewart's first Test century against Australia was well supported by 63 from Mark Ramprakash.

The pair put on 121 before both were softly dismissed within seven balls.

They were soon followed by debutant wicket-keeper Warren Hegg, but Graeme Hick steadied the ship and he and Dean Headley survived until the interval.

Stewart makes his first Test century against Australia (Test Match Special)

The tourists must win this Test to keep alive slim hopes of a draw in this Ashes series, and they looked to be on their way to a big total at 200 for three.

Stewart was in dominant form, having scored 107 in 212 minutes, off 160 balls, including 16 fours.

Stewart is bowled around his legs by MacGill (Test Match Special)

If anything he was perhaps over-confident as he tried to sweep leg-spinner Stuart MacGill.

The ball crept around his legs, clipping his foot before hitting the stumps.

Mark Ramprakash: Should have made more than 63

In the next over Ramprakash was deceived by a slower ball from Steve Waugh and gave Glenn McGrath an easy catch at mid-on.

Both dismissals were disappointing ends to good innings and left the England tail suddenly exposed after their higher order had for once looked like performing to expectations.

Hegg arrived at the crease and scored three before he was caught behind off Waugh, and English supporters feared a familiar collapse.

Mark Ramprakash follows Stewart back to the pavilion (Test Match Special)

But Hick showed control to get to tea on 18, and Headley rode his luck against a fierce spell by McGrath, escaping appeals from both him and MacGill.

Despite the afternoon wickets, the tea score represented a recovery from a disastrous first ten minutes of the morning session.

Warren Hegg is the next man out (Test Match Special)

McGrath struck twice in the opening three overs of the morning as England crashed to four for two, as the English batsmen were caught cold on a chilly morning.

Atherton was caught behind with the fourth ball of the innings, although umpire Steve Bucknor's decision was questionable.

Glenn McGrath: Fitness scare followed by two wickets

Mark Butcher then came in at number three in the reshuffled England order, but was soon walking back after a fine catch from Justin Langer at short leg.

It was another superb performance from McGrath, who was considered doubtful for this match after respiratory problems on the final day of the previous Test.

But Stewart then showed why many feel he should have been opening the batting throughout the series with a determined counter-attack.

He dominated the innings before Hussain's dismissal at the hands of debutant Matt Nicholson, who had conceded 30 runs from his first four Test overs.

Hussain offered yet another catch for Healy, his 350th in Tests, but Ramprakash was not as easy to dislodge and he played a confident supporting role to Stewart.

England first innings

M Atherton c Healy b McGrath 0
A Stewart b MacGill 107
M Butcher c Langer b McGrath 0
N Hussain c Healy b Nicholson 19
M Ramprakash c McGrath b S Waugh 63
G Hick not out 18
W Hegg c Healy b S Waugh 3
D Headley not out 14

Extras 13

Total 237 for 6 (68 overs)

Fall: 1-0, 2-4, 3-81, 4-200, 5-202, 6-206

To bat: D Gough, A Mullally, A Fraser.

Bowling: McGrath 18-5-45-2, Fleming 17-2-67-0, Nicholson 10-0-59-1, MacGill 17-1-51-1, S Waugh 6-2-8-2

Australia won toss and decided to field