WORCESTER (AFP) - Stephen Harmison, bidding to regain his Test place, helped peg back Australia after a 141-run stand from the tourists threatened to undo the England Lions here at New Road on Wednesday. Opener Simon Katich survived a torrid new ball spell from Harmison and Graham Onions - which accounted for Phillip Hughes and captain Ricky Ponting - to plunder 95 with Michael Hussey now 82 not out. But Katich's dismissal five short of his hundred sparked a collapse that saw Michael Clarke (four), Marcus North (one) and Brad Haddin (seven) fall as Australia lost four wickets for 32 runs. Sajid Mahmood also dropped Hussey on 75 off his own bowling and Australia were 215 for six at tea on the first day of four in what is their final warm-up match before next week's first Ashes Test at Cardiff. Harmison bowled a venomous new ball spell of one wicket for six runs in six overs, dismissing in-form opener Hughes, to provide the England selectors with another reminder of his ability. In stark contrast to his Gabba opener against Australia in Brisbane in 2006 which sailed direct to second slip, Harmison struck left-hander Hughes square on the helmet with his first delivery of the day as the Lions' attack looked to expose any weakness against the short ball. Harmison famously drew blood from Ponting's cheek on the first morning of the 2005 Ashes series at Lord's but was dropped during England's tour of the Caribbean earlier this year after some wayward displays. Hughes, 20, never looked comfortable in the Worcester sunshine and another rising delivery accounted for him for seven in Harmison's fourth over, caught off his bat handle fending to Joe Denly at gully. Harmison also struck Ponting on the shoulder in a fiery opening spell which signalled his intent to return to the senior side ahead of Sunday's first Test squad announcement. But it was Onions, his Durham new ball partner, who captured the Australia captain for just one. Displaying little footwork, Ponting flashed at a wide delivery from Onions (two wickets for 51 runs) and was snapped up at first slip by Vikram Solanki. Katich struck 15 boundaries in his 95, but gifted England's toiling bowlers a vital wicket the delivery after stroking a glorious cover drive to the rope when he holed out against Harmison to the bowler's Durham team-mate Onions. The New South Wales opener, who was out twice in the 40s in the drawn tour opener against Sussex at Hove, earlier had an escape on 37 when Onions, at leg slip, missed a sharp catch off Mahmood.