England look for repeat performance

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Australia will resume the third day of the opening npower Test trailing by 186 runs on 249 for one after opener Simon Katich and captain Ricky Ponting both claimed centuries and forged an unbroken 189-run stand.

"They certainly have the momentum, but happily for us we still have nearly a 200-run lead," stressed off-spinner Graeme Swann, whose unbeaten 47 off 40 balls helped England reach 435 after resuming overnight on 336 for seven.

It has left England facing a daunting task if they are to halt Australia progressing into potentially a match-winning advantage, but they hope to draw encouragement from a similar situation in 2005.

Back then Australia were well-placed on 264 for one in reply to England's 373 but a stunning display from all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who claimed five for 78 on the fourth day, secured a first-innings lead for England and earned them the draw which regained the Ashes.

"Fred said when we got into the changing room for those who didn't play at the Oval a few years ago, it was a very similar situation and it only takes just one good spell to bring us right back into the game and that's what we're going to be thinking," Swann added.

The application of Ponting and Katich, who remained at the crease undefeated for over three hours, only served to underline England's failings on the opening day when three players - Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood and Matt Prior - passed 50 but failed to go on and build a major innings.

"If you look down our scorecard nearly everybody got in but didn't go on," conceded Swann. "I think that's partly because it's the first day of the Ashes and the big occasion probably got to us a little bit.

"At 336 for seven everyone said it was in the balance but I think we realised we had to have a good morning to get ourselves back in and get the runs that wicket deserved.

"I think a couple of our guys realised they should have got in and got hundreds. We're a very honest dressing room, very candid and our hundred that was truly denied was mine because I ran out of partners!"