McGrath took six for 85 as England crumbled to 375 all out and then Slater smashed 113 as Australia moved to 237 for three before Mark Taylor declared when 347 runs ahead. Mike Atherton and Mark Butcher took England to 26 for no wicket at the close of the fourth day, but England face a tense final day needing another 322 for victory.

Australia 1st innings): 485

England (1st innings): Mark Butcher c & b Mark Waugh 116, Mike Atherton c Mark Waugh b McGrath 0, Nasser Hussain c Stewart b Kasprowicz 59, Alec Stewart c Kasprowicz b Macgill 8, Graham Thorpe c Langer b McGrath 77, Mark Ramprakash not out 69, Dominic Cork c Macgill b McGrath 0, Robert Croft b Kasprowicz 23, DarrenGough lbw McGrath 0, Allen Mullally c Kasprowicz b McGrath 0, Angus Fraser c Mark Waugh b McGrath 1; Extras

9, 1, 12): 22. Total

(128.2 overs): 375

Fall of wickets:

1-11, 2-145, 3-168, 4-240, 5-315, 6-319, 7-360, 8-373, 9-373

Bowling:

McGrath 34.2-11-85-6, Fleming 27-5-83-0, Kasprowicz 29-7-82-2, Macgill 24-4-70-1, Steve Waugh 3-0-17-0, Ponting 3-0-10-0, Mark Waugh 8-1-18-1.

Australia

(2nd innings):

Mark Taylor b Cork 0, Michael Slater c & b Fraser 113, Justin Langer c Mullally b Croft 74, Mark Waugh not out 27, Steve Waugh not out 16; Extras

(b<\!q>1, lb<\!q>1, nb<\!q>5): 7. Total

(for three wickets, decl): 237

Fall of wickets:

1-20, 2-182, 3-199

Bowling:

Gough 6-0-50-0, Cork 5-0-18-1, Mullally 14-4-38-0, Fraser 15-1-52-1, Croft 20-2-71-1, Ramprakash 2-0-6-0

England

(2nd innings): Mark Butcher not out 7, Mike Atherton not out 18; Extras

(w<\!q>1): 1. Total

(for no loss, in seven overs): 26

Bowling:

McGrath 4-1-7-0, Kasprowicz 3-0-19-0