Warner, who had failed to reach double figures in his first four Ashes series innings, scored a battling 61 in cloudy and overcast conditions at Headingley as Australia were bundled out for just 179 in the third Test.

The 32-year-old and the impressive Marnus Labuschagne (71) were only batsmen to score any runs of substance as Australia's willow wielders once again struggled in English conditions.

The pair put on 111 for the third wicket to put Australia in a strong position at 2-136 after lunch only for the opener's departure to precipitate an alarming collapse that saw his side lose eight wickets for 43 runs.

Warner battled through a taxing start after Joe Root won the toss and put the tourists in to bat, with the outstanding Stuart Broad (2-32) and Jofra Archer (6-45) beating his outside edge on numerous occasion in the first 15 overs.

He admitted he rode his luck on occasions but said a conversation with former Test captain Ponting put him at ease after the worst run of scores of his career as he chalked up his first half-century since returning to Test cricket from his 12-month ban.

"It's been challenging but coming into it mentally I felt like I was in form," Warner said.

"Today was about trying to negate that good ball and not get out to it. I had a lot of luck, I played and missed quite a lot but I kept my bat nice and tight.

"I was very pleased with the way I adjusted very well. I moved across a little bit more so my bat was covering that off stump, allowed me to leave a little bit more.

"Going out on the golf course with Ricky was great.

"He was all about making sure I'm still backing my game plan, looking to get forward and looking to hit the ball.

"I know when I'm looking to hit the ball my defence takes care of itself and I'm compact.

"That was fortunate enough today that it came off."

Warner likened Archer to recently-retired speed demon Dale Steyn after the express paceman snared six wickets in Leeds, creating chaos as Australia lost 8-43.

Archer grabbed 6-45, celebrating his maiden five-wicket haul for England.Archer backed up his remarkable Test debut in style, even timing the dismissal of Nathan Lyon to perfection so that stumps were pulled and England's openers didn't have any awkward overs to face on Thursday.

"It's a bit like how Dale Steyn, with the new ball, tried to just use the conditions then sort of ramp it up when they need to," Warner said.

"That was world-class bowling at its best."It's hard to start, especially when you have two world class bowlers (Archer and Stuart Broad) coming on.

"They had the conditions in their favour but they put the ball in the right spot all the time."

Archer, renowned for his laid-back nature off the field and equally relaxed approach to the bowling crease, cut it fine arriving to the ground in time on Thursday.

"I was early but there was a one-way street, so I ended having to park in the car park behind the rugby field," the 24-year-old said.

"I don't need to bowl a lot of balls in the warm-up. I actually don't think I need to bowl in the warm-up at all.

"It's really flattering (to be compared to Steyn). Dale tweeted a few years ago when I first started for Sussex, it's nice."

Warner and Labuschagne shared a 111-run stand, frustrating Joe Root with the help of some sloppy fielding plus delays prompted by bad light and light rain at Headingley.

But, as is so often the case in England, one wicket quickly brought more in a collapse of 3-3 that spanned 15 balls.

Tim Paine, the only other batsman to reach double figures outside Warner and Labuschagne, steadied temporarily but Archer returned to the attack to fire out three tailenders in a collapse of 5-17 that ended the day and innings.Archer first swung momentum with a pinpoint delivery that Warner, who helped Australia recover from 2-25, edged to keeper Jonny Bairstow.

Travis Head and Matthew Wade were bowled for ducks in consecutive overs, with the latter out when an Archer delivery struck the thigh pad then rolled onto the stumps.

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