Top order fail to capitalise

Captain Andrew Strauss, England's mainstay in a series where the batting has consistently disappointed, made 35 before falling lbw playing a pre-meditated reverse-sweep, while opening partner Joe Denly holed out for 45.

Owais Shah (22no) and Matt Prior (25no) were looking to succeed where those players failed as England attempted to set a total which would help them to a first victory of the series.

Strauss in particular looked dominant through his favourite point area, though Michael Clarke dove hopefully at one which flew to the ropes.

That flurry of activity helped England past the 50 mark, with 32 runs coming in boundaries. but soon after, the England captain was given lbw reverse-sweeping at Nathan Hauritz on 35.

Ravi Bopara got off the mark with a five, Australia conceding four overthrows with a wild attempt at the stumps.

Denly put Mitchell Johnson back over his head for a one-bounce four with one of the shots of the day before Australia enforced the second powerplay with 15 overs gone.

Just 24 were scored in the five overs which followed and with two balls left of the restrictions. Bopara succeeded in finding one of the boundary fielders, chipping Shane Watson into the deep where Hauritz took a simple catch.

With just 18 to his name, Bopara's wretched form shows no signs of abating.

A Denly single brought up the England 100, off 126 deliveries, but the Kent opener was next to go for 45, lofting Johnson to Mike Hussey to make it 105 for three.