Australia lost one wicket before lunch in their bid to add quick runs to their third Test lead over England.
The tourists have to win at Old Trafford to save the Ashes series and at 24-1 on day four, their lead is up to 183 runs.
Ideally Australia would have forced England to follow on this morning but thanks to the exploits of Stuart Broad and Matt Prior, the hosts managed to move past the follow-on mark.
After bowling England out for 368, Australia shook up their batting order by allowing David Warner to join Chris Rogers as opener.
The pair began scoring well but just before lunch Rogers (12) edged a Broad delivery to Prior.
That leaves Warner (12*) and Usman Khawaja (0*) at the crease.
