All square before the Oval

The only bright note was the Stuart Board and Graeme Swann eighth-wicket stand of 108 in just 12.3 overs. At more than eight-and-a-half runs per over,their stand was the second-fastest for any partnership over 100 in Test cricket,behind Nathan Astle and Chris Cairnss last wicket partnership 118 in 10.5 overs at Christchurch in 2001-02.

When Swann came to the crease at 120/7,England were still 42 runs short of their heaviest Test defeat at home to Australia innings and 180 runs at Trent Bridge in 1989 and 74 runs from their heaviest Test defeat at Headingley innings and 148 against Australia in 1993.

The series will now be decided in the fifth Test at The Oval starting August 20. England need to win to regain the Ashes while even a draw would mean the urn remains with the Australians.

England resumed the days play on 82/5 and soon lost night-watchman James Anderson for 4 and Matt Prior for 22. Anderson struck Ben Hilfenhaus for four but was out the next ball,the days third,edging to Ricky Ponting at second slip to make the scoreline 86 for 6 in the 33rd over.

Prior was the next to go when his tentative push at a ball from Hilfenhaus was caught by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin. Prior added 34 with Stuart Broad,who was dropped by Peter Siddle at mid-off on 18 and again on 53 by Johnson at long-off and by a diving Simon Katich on the mid-wicket boundary on 57.

Broad and Swann scored 49 runs in a three-over spell that saw Stuart Clark concede 16 runs in the 47th and 49th over and Siddle 17 runs in the 48th. Broad registered his half-century off just 42 balls while Swann reached his fifty off 53 balls by hooking Siddle over fine leg. He eventually edged Johnson to Haddin trying another heave over long-on in the 60th over. He faced 72 balls and struck seven fours and a six. Nine deliveries later,Onions was out for his second duck of the match to make Australia favourites to retain the Ashes urn.

The Fanatics admit to England fire-alarm prank

Melbourne: The Ashes rivalry is spilling over off the field with some Australian cricket fans claiming that they raised the false fire alarm which roused the England players from their beds in pyjamas on the morning of the fourth Test.

The Fanatics Australian supporters who follow their Test team around the world claimed they set off the fire alarm at Radisson Hotel in Leeds at about 4.30am on Friday,the first day of the fourth Test. Hours later,England were shot out for 102 in the first innings. Warren Livingston,head of The Fanatics,told The Sunday Telegraph that one of the 100-strong group had set the alarm off to disrupt the English teams sleep,describing it as good old fashioned Aussie high-jinks.

Yes it was one of our guys who did it as a bit of a prank,I got a text message after it happened, Livingston said. At first I thought good onya,were just doing our bit for Australia. But I cant condone this sort of thing. I dont want any trouble. Weve all had a big laugh and it might have made a difference,the way they batted. PTI