Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell kept Australia at bay with bold fifties but England still had plenty of work to do in the third Test at Old Trafford on Saturday.
At tea on the third day, Ashes-holders England were 211/4 — a deficit of 316 runs — and still needing a further 117 runs to reach a total of 328 that would see them avoid the follow-on
But they had at least denied Australia who, at 2-0 down with three to play, had to win this match to stand any chance of regaining the Ashes, a wicket in the session.
Pietersen was 78 not out and Bell, who’d already made two hundreds this series, 51 not out with the fifth-wicket duo’s partnership so far worth 101.
England resumed Saturday on 52/2 after Australia had made 527/7 declared on the back of captain Michael Clarke’s commanding 187.
It was Clarke’s highest Test score against England and the highest in an overseas Test by any Australian since nightwatchman Jason Gillespie’s extraordinary 201 not out against Bangladesh seven years ago.
Shortly before Friday’s close, Australia paceman Peter Siddle removed opener Joe Root and nightwatchman Tim Bresnan.
England captain Alastair Cook was 36 not out and Jonathan Trott two not out.
However, Trott was out for five when he edged a good length ball from fast bowler Ryan Harris low to Clarke at second slip.
Trott’s exit brought in fellow South Africa-born batsman Pietersen, arguably England’s most talented batsman.
Pietersen, however, was fortunate not to nick his first ball, an excellent delivery from Harris, and then got off the mark only by just keeping out a fine yorker from the same bowler.