England decide to bat again

The Durham seamer claimed two for nine in three overs on the third morning as Australia, who resumed overnight on 156 for eight needing a further 70 to avoid the follow-on, were dismissed for 215.

Onions' display, which ended the stubborn resistance of Nathan Hauritz and Peter Siddle, provided England with the option of making Australia bat again but captain Andrew Strauss instead decided to have another go in batsman-friendly conditions as the hosts attempt to establish a match-winning lead.

Off-spinner Hauritz, unbeaten on three overnight, demonstrated his capabilities with the bat at an early stage by steering James Anderson down to third man for four in the second over of the morning.

He was, however, given an early reprieve when he steered a short ball from Stuart Broad to Alastair Cook at short leg on 11, but the Essex left-hander was unable to claim the sharp chance.

To increase England's frustration, Siddle claimed two more boundaries in the next over, driving down the ground and past gully as Anderson conceded 13 from his first two overs of the day.

Twice Siddle edged just short of Paul Collingwood at third slip in Anderson's next over, but England were unable to claim the early breakthrough as Australia edged closer to the follow-on target.

Strauss decided to turn to Onions as a replacement for Anderson from the Nursery End in a desperate attempt to claim a wicket, but he also suffered immediate frustration when Hauritz guided his first ball through gully for another boundary.

However, Onions claimed his revenge two balls later when he tempted Hauritz into pushing outside off-stump and this time he edged to Collingwood at third slip, who claimed the catch above his head. Hauritz had contributed 24 vital runs to a stubborn 44-run stand in only 45 minutes, but departed the crease with Australia still 32 runs away from saving the follow-on as last man Ben Hilfenhaus walked out to bat.

Hilfenhaus immediately frustrated Onions by playing and missing three times in the same over before getting off the mark with a drive through the covers for four. Just as Australia edged within sight of saving the follow-on, needing just 11 to reach their target, Onions struck again to end the innings when Siddle edged to Strauss at first slip.