Finn hopes for early assistance

Steve Finn admitted his frustration at England not being able to use the new ball on Friday evening due to bad light but hopes an early start at the Gabba on Saturday could work in their favour (England 5/2 to win 1st Test).

A topsy-turvy day in Brisbane was brought to a premature end as the umpires deemed the light unsuitable to continue, with Australia 220-5 in reply to England's first innings total of 260 all out.

The Aussies began well with Shane Watson and Simon Katich putting on 78 for the first wicket but James Anderson struck to remove Watson for 36 and skipper Ricky Ponting for just 10 to give the tourists some hope.

Finn then got in on the act and pulled off a stunning caught and bowled to get rid of Katich for 50 before inducing an edge from Michael Clarke (9).

Graeme Swann picked up his first wicket of the series when Marcus North edged to Paul Collingwood at slip for just a single and the hosts were reeling at 143-5.

But Michael Hussey (81) and Brad Haddin (22) put together an unbeaten stand of 77 to give Australia a great chance of taking a first innings lead.

England were all set to take the new ball when light rain and bad light prevented any further play and the third day's play will begin at 9.30am local time to make up for lost time.

Finn hopes that the pitch might offer some help to the England seamers who had settled into a decent line and length before play was curtailed (Finn 7/4 top Eng bowler 1st innings in-play).

"We feel the early morning conditions could work to our advantage," he said. "We felt (Anderson and Stuart Broad) were bowling beautifully and that we could take advantage."