Ashes 2017, Australia vs England 1st Test: Day 3 at The Gabba

Steve Smith confirmed his captaincy qualities again by grafting for 8 ½ hours in a crucial unbeaten 141, dragging Australia out of serious trouble and into positive territory on Saturday in the Ashes series opener. His 326-ball innings wrested control from England after three wickets tumbled in the morning session, and gave Australia the upper hand by stumps on day three. Australia's Steve Smith celebrates reaching his hundred runs during the Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Brisbane, Australia.

Hazlewood had Alastair Cook 7 out hooking, caught by a tumbling Mitch Starc in the deep, and James Vince 2 caught at slip by Smith as England slid to 172. Starc chimed in with a short ball that damaged Joe Root's helmet, rattling the England skipper before he'd scored. Australia's Josh Hazlewood, right, celebrates after getting the wicket of England's James Vince, left, during the Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Brisbane, Australia.

Stoneman was on 19, and was also hit by a sharply-rising short ball from Pat Cummins on a Gabba wicket finally showing some of the pace and bounce for which it is famous. Australia's Josh Hazlewood, center, reacts after getting the wicket of England's Alastair Cook, not shown, during the Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Brisbane, Australia.

Australia was still 27 runs behind at 2758 when Cummins was out for his highest Test score, leaving Smith to bat with Nos. 10 and 11 to get the hosts in front on a ground where they haven't lost a Test since 1988. He added 23 with Hazlewood 6 to move within four, and then 30 with Nathan Lyon 9, who was caught at slip off Root's bowling to end the innings. From left, England's Alastair Cook, Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan celebrate the wicket of Australia's Pat Cummins, not shown, during the Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Brisbane, Australia.

Australia resumed at 1654 and had only added 10 before Marsh paddled a regulation slower ball from Broad to Anderson at mid-off. Anderson then had Tim Paine 13, the last of the recognized batsmen, caught behind in the 81st over and Broad took a return catch to dismiss Starc 6 and give England the upper hand before Australia's lower-order revival changed the complexion of the game. England players celebrate the wicket of Australia's Shaun Marsh, left, during the Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Brisbane, Australia.