England lost both Kevin Pietersen and Alastair Cook during the opening session of day three as they increased their lead over Australia to 92 runs.
After beginning the day on 80-2, the hosts coasted through the first hour of play, with Pietersen recording his 31st half-century in Test cricket.
However, Australia struck through James Pattinson, who forced Pietersen to edge the ball onto his own stumps.
England suffered a further blow moments later, when Cook was dismissed for 50 by Ashton Agar, who picked up his first Test match wicket in the process.
That brought Jonny Bairstow to the crease to join Ian Bell, with both players negotiating their way to lunch with England on a score of 157-4.
