England took charge of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston on Saturday after Australia were left at 124/3, with a lead of just 34 runs at the end of third day's play.
Australia will look to Steve Smith to replicate his first innings performance if the visitors hope to take a commanding position in the first of the five-match Test series.
Bad light cut short the third day's play, but Smith (46 not out) and Travis Head (21 not out), who were at the crease, will be expected to take Australia to a formidable score in the second innings. Smith made 144 in the first innings of his first Test since his one year ban, following the ball-tampering scandal, was completed.
David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, who also returned to Test cricket after serving their bans in the scandal, fell early in the innings and failed to give the team momentum.
Australia are looking to win their first series away to England in 18 years.
Earlier, England opener Rory Burns batted for nearly eight hours for 133―his maiden Test hundred―in an innings of 374 featuring half-centuries from captain Joe Root (57) and vice-captain Stokes (50).
England lost three wickets for four runs to slump to 300/8―a lead of just 16 runs.
Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad added 65 on a ninth-wicket partnership and boosted England's total.
(With inputs from agencies)
