Bopara looks to make amends

At the halfway stage of their innings England were 102 for two with Bopara not out 46 in reply to Australia's 260 for five.

It was the perfect stage for Bopara to demonstrate his undoubted talent after having struggled through four Ashes Tests while amassing a batting average of just 15.

Andrew Strauss was the first to go for 12 amid a fiery opening spell from Brett Lee which produced two wides and two no balls from his second over alone.

But Lee did get the important wicket, Strauss edging a catch which sped at eye-height to Cameron White at second slip.

It was obvious the sides were well matched. And just as Australia had struggled to accelerate in their first innings so did England.

Australian bowlers Mitchell Johnson and James Hopes contained Bopara and Matt Prior through the five-overs fielding power play, which yielded just 18 runs and saw the required run rate creep up above the original 5.22.

There was little more joy for England when Australia introduced spinner Nathan Hauritz, one attempted sweep from Prior catching a top edge and crashing into the grill of his helmet.

Boundaries were at a premium and England realised they had to get the scoreboard ticking.

Unfortunately, it resulted in the demise of Prior, who had played an uncharacteristically reserved innings before resorting to a reverse sweep. He connected well enough, only to see the ball fly straight to Johnson who took a sharp catch.