Chris Rogers fell 16 runs short of his first international century as Australia reached tea on 180/3 against England on Day One of a third Ashes Test marred by another DRS controversy.
Resuming after lunch on 67, Rogers moved to 84 before he was trapped lbw by Graeme Swann to end a fluent, Test-best knock that contained 14 fours.
Captain Michael Clarke lasted the whole session and looked in good nick on 55 alongside Steve Smith (20), with the series-hinging match well-poised.
Earlier, Usman Khawaja was left aggrieved after he was given out caught behind off Swann for 1, despite replay technology showing the batsman hadn’t touched the ball with his bat.
Third umpire Kumar Dharmasena still upheld the on-field umpire’s decision, triggering Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to tweet that it was “one of the worst cricket umpiring decisions I have ever seen.”
England are 2-0 ahead in the five-match series and will retain the Ashes with a draw or victory.
Australia have yet to reach 300 in four innings so far this series, the reason why the team currently finds themselves battling to stay alive at such an early stage of the summer.
Criticised back home and scoffed at in England, the tourists’ batsmen needed to find their form here and Rogers and Clarke produced some elegant, positive strokeplay in humid, hot conditions after Australia won the toss.
The 35-year-old Rogers shared a 76-run opening partnership with Shane Watson (19) and splayed England's pace attack to all corners of Old Trafford, with five fours in the two overs after the drinks break bringing up his fifty off just 49 balls.
He started getting twitchy as he entered his 80s, playing and missing twice. He then became irritated by movement in his eyeline in the pavilion and Swann seized his chance, claiming his second wicket with the very next ball.
SCORECARD at tea
Australia: Shane Watson c Cook b Bresnan 19, Chris Rogers lbw Swann 84, Usman Khawaja c Prior b Swann 1, Michael Clarke (batting) 55, Steve Smith (batting) 20. Extras (1lb) 1. Total (for 3 wkts, in 53 overs) 180.
FoW: 1-76, 2-82, 3-129.
Bowling: Anderson 15-2-54-0, Broad 13-1-50-0, Bresnan 12-3-38-1, Swann 13-2-37-2.