Australia wilted in the afternoon sun at Worcester, losing four wickets in quick succession just when they looked set to take command against England's second string.

With Simon Katich and Mike Hussey putting together a third-wicket stand of 141 in just 29 overs, the Aussies recovered well from a couple of early blows to reach 165 for three. But then they lost Katich (95), Michael Clarke (4),
Marcus North (1) and Brad Haddin (7) in the space of 10 overs.

Katich obligingly pulled a Steve Harmison long hop to fine leg, Clarke carved Bresnan's away swinger to backward point and then North played on against Onions, thanks to a limp defensive stroke outside off stump. Haddin was a touch unlucky, falling lbw to Bresnan when hit on top of the knee roll.

Still, a scoreboard reading 197 for six was not what the Aussies wanted to see in their final warm-up match before next week's First Test in Cardiff. But the England Lions, with players such as Harmison and Onions trying to make sure their names remain somewhere near the Ashes frame, deserved their reward for keeping going in the sticky heat.

At the start of the day's play, Harmison brought back memories of Lord's 2005 by bouncing out Australian wonderkid Phil Hughes.

Four years ago, Harmison launched the Ashes series with a ferocious new-ball burst that left both Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting nursing wounds — and showed everyone that England were on a mission.

He could not quite repeat that level of damage this morning while spearheading the Lions attack. But, having hit Hughes on the side of the helmet with a first ball bouncer, the Durham paceman snared his man through a classic piece of fast bowling midway through his fourth over.

Hughes, the 20-year-old who has already built a big reputation for attacking batting, swayed clear of two bouncers. He could not avoid a delivery which leapt at him from just short of a length, however, and spooned it to gully via glove and handle to depart for seven.

Three overs later, Harmison's county team-mate Onions removed Ponting for a single — caught at slip, attempting an ambitious back foot forcing shot — and Australia were 44 for two.

England fans hoping for a spectacular collapse before lunch were to be disappointed, however, as Katich and fellow left-hander Hussey assumed control.

For a time the duo looked in ominous form, reviving memories of that whitewash Ashes series of 2006-7 when England were walloped 5-0. Hussey has been struggling for form of late and is without a century in his last 11 Tests but he looked more like his old self today while purring past 50. He reached that landmark off 70 balls with six fours.

But with four wickets tumbling in quick succession, Australia were more than grateful for Hussey's runs.