London, Aug. 22: Facing almost certain defeat — and a second consecutive Ashes loss in England — Australia were 45/0 after 10 overs on the high-scoring third day of the decisive fifth and Test at The Oval here on Saturday.

England skipper Andrew Strauss declared their second innings closed at 373/9 for an overall lead of 545 after Jonathan Trott fell for 119 to become the 18th England player to score a century on his debut Test.

Openers Shane Watson and Simon Katich thereafter kept a rampant England attack at bay to keep Australia’s slim hopes of retaining the Ashes into a critical fourth day.

Earlier, England at tea on the third day, were 290/7 in their second innings — a lead of 462 runs — in a match where victory would see then win the series 2-1.

Trott was unbeaten on 83 and Graeme Swann was batting on 34, with part-time Australia spinner Marcus North taking Test-best figures of 4/98. But the way Swann struck North for two successive fours immediately before the break said much about the state of the game.

South Africa-born Trott shared a fourth-wicket stand of 118 with England captain Andrew Strauss (75) after coming to the crease when the hosts were in trouble at 39/3. England at lunch were 157/4 — a lead of 329 — after Strauss, whose fifty was his second of the match, was out shortly beforehand. Trott, who made 41 in the first innings, was 50 not out.

Wicket-keeper Matt Prior got off the mark with a cover-driven boundary off fast bowler Peter Siddle but then, attempting a needlessly risky single, was run-out by Simon Katich’s direct hit from cover. Prior’s exit brought in Andrew Flintoff, cheered to the wicket by a capacity crowd for what was the all-rounder’s final Test innings before his injury-induced retirement from the five-day format.

The 31-year-old lofted North over mid-wicket for four, getting rid of a close-in fielder in the process. There were three more boundaries before, on 22, Flintoff skied North to Siddle at long-on.

Stuart Broad, the first innings bowling star, got off the mark with a superbly timed four off left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson, which reinforced his credentials as Flintoff’s natural successor. He struck North for several elegant, straight driven boundaries before holing out to Ponting for a 29 featuring five fours.

England resumed Saturday on 58/3, already a lead of 230, They were contemplating victory after pace bowler Broad took 5/37 on Friday in reply to England’s first innings 332.

Although the pitch was not the ideal batting surface usually associated with the Oval, it was no terror track and the conditions could not explain a third first innings collapse by Australia this series. Instead Broad, well supported by off-spinner Swann (four for 38), bowled with good accuracy and control.

Strauss, England’s lone century-maker this series, resumed on Saturday batting on 32 with Trott unbeaten on eight. — AFP