England continue to struggle

Wet weather blew into south Wales and terminated play for two hours on the third evening, although England did claim a wicket during a brief resumption, which marked the first use of floodlights in a Test match in Britain.

Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke (83) gloved a short delivery from Stuart Broad to be caught behind down the leg-side midway through the 28-minute period possible before the match officials deemed the visibility was not suitable. Australia had progressed to 479 for five, an advantage of 44 runs, with Marcus North unbeaten on 54.

Ricky Ponting's 13th 150 of his Test career and a maiden Ashes hundred by Simon Katich were integral to mustering a first-innings lead. Both perished in a spell of three wickets for 32 runs with the second new ball.

Having been unable to make much of an impact on Australia's top order during a one-sided second day in Cardiff, England knew they would have to make a big improvement if they were to remain competitive in the npower series.

It was an objective they achieved during the third morning with James Anderson utilising the increased swing with the second new ball to dismiss Simon Katich and Michael Hussey while left-arm spinner Monty Panesar claimed the scalp of Australian captain Ricky Ponting.

But after losing three wickets in 63 balls, Australia underlined the impotency which has plagued England for the last year with Clarke and North forging a 143-run stand which was only broken after a two-hour break for afternoon showers.

Even then it took unfamiliar conditions to end their stand with Clarke falling for 83 after Cardiff became the first ground in Britain to use floodlights for a Test following an agreement they could be used between the two captains before the series began.

That late wicket, which fell just two overs before the limitations of the lights were exposed with play ending for bad light, still left Australia set for a considerable advantage.

Australia's strong position also underlined England's continued failure to claim the 20 wickets required to win a Test having only achieved that objective three times - twice in the recent home series against West Indies - in the last 12 Tests.