An absolute cliffhanger, this

Ponting batted for over seven hours but when he was out Australia were 354-9 and tailenders Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath had to survive the last four overs. They did that, Lee finishing on 18 not out and McGrath five not out. England, losers of the last eight Ashes series, put themselves in a strong position by making 444 in the first innings with captain Michael Vaughan’s 166 the first individual century of the series as leg-spinner Shane Warne became the first bowler to take 600 Test wickets.

In reply Australia were bowled out for 302 with Warne’s 90 the only score more than the 38 managed by extras as England fast bowler Simon Jones returned Test-best figures of 6-53.

That gave England, who last won an Ashes series in 1986-87, a lead of 142 which they built on by making 280-6 declared in their second innings with Andrew Strauss’ 106 his first Test hundred against Australia.

That left Australia needing to make cricket history. No side batting fourth in a Test had made more to win than the 418-7 West Indies scored against Australia at St John’s, Antigua, in 2002-03.

They resumed the day on 24 without loss, 399 more runs needed, in front of a 23,000 capacity crowd after 10,000 fans had been locked out of the ground.

Australia lost a wicket in the second over of the day when Matthew Hoggard struck first ball when Justin Langer was caught behind by wicket-keeper Geraint Jones for his overnight 14. Andrew Flintoff, who finished with 4-71, then removed Australia’s other opener, Matthew Hayden, for 36 and at lunch the tourists were 121-2, still needing a further 302 for victory.

Between lunch and tea England took three wickets and Australia started the final session on 216-5.

After Ponting completed his century he saw Michael Clarke, shouldering arms, bowled by Simon Jones for 39 and Jason Gillespie, lbw to Hoggard for nought as Australia lost two wickets in two overs to be 264-7. Warne held England up with 34, adding 76 for the eighth wicket with Ponting before he went with the score on 340.

Brief scores

England: 444 and 280-6 decl drew with Australia: 302 and 371-9 (M.Hayden 36, R.Ponting 156, M.Clarke 39, S.Warne 34, Harmison 2-65, Hoggard 2-49, Flintoff 4-71). Man of the match: Ricky Ponting.

10,000 fans turned away from Old Trafford finale

MANCHESTER: Around 10,000 fans were turned away from Old Trafford as they tried to get hold of tickets for the final day of the third Ashes Test on Monday. Geoff Durbin, the Lancashire County Cricket Club marketing manager, said 19,000 tickets had been available for the final day, prompting a huge rush. “I estimate around 10,000 could not get in,” he said. Old Trafford capacity is 23,000. Some of the England players got to the ground half an hour later than they had planned because of the crowds outside the venue, according to an England spokesman. The fans who failed to get into the ground then had the indignity of being forced to queue up again, this time to get back on Manchester’s metrolink service as they headed back into the city.