Slow progress for England

Captain Andrew Strauss chose to make the most of ideal batting conditions after his side dismissed Australia for 215 to secure a 210-run first-innings advantage on the third morning at Lord's.

But after losing Strauss and Alastair Cook shortly after lunch, Ravi Bopara and Kevin Pietersen forged a determined 56-run stand to extend England's lead to 340 by reaching 130 for two at tea.

Resuming overnight on 156 for eight, still trailing by 269 runs and 70 runs away from saving the follow-on, Australia showed determined resistance to add 59 runs in 14 overs during the morning session.

Their innings was ended by a burst of two for nine from three overs from Durham seamer Graham Onions and, after deciding against asking Australia to bat again, England made a rapid start with Strauss and Cook forging a 57-run stand in 13 overs before lunch.

The partnership was broken just two overs into the afternoon session with Nathan Hauritz, now recovered from the dislocated finger he sustained in the first innings, claiming two wickets in successive overs.

Off-spinner Hauritz continued a theme for Cook during this series when he won an lbw decision against him as he played across the line, while Strauss was caught at slip attempting to drive a ball which turned out of the footmarks.

Bopara, yet to reach 50 in the series, was fortunate to reach double figures after edging seamer Peter Siddle to Australian captain Ricky Ponting at first slip on nine but he contrived to drop a regulation chance.

Essex batsman Bopara had another narrow escape on 19 when he pulled left-arm seamer Mitchell Johnson to mid-on where Hauritz claimed a low catch, but third official Nigel Llong ruled it had not carried after the decision was referred.