At 90 for three, England were in trouble but they dominated the afternoon session with the Australian spinners unable to extract anything from the pitch. Off-spinner Nathan Hauritz bowled 14 overs without looking like improving his tour figures of two for 260 and Clarke conceded 20 from five overs of his occasional left-arm spin.

Pietersen and Collingwood sensibly decided to take the many singles on offer and avoid the big shots, putting on 138 with unexciting but productive batting. Ponting reverted to his fast bowlers after tea and the game changed direction again when Collingwood was caught behind by Brad Haddin off Hilfenhaus.

Pietersen survived a close leg-before appeal and was then dropped on 66. Hauritz returned from the Cathedral Road end and Pietersen’s luck ran out when he tried to drag a ball well outside his off-stump to leg and popped a catch to Simon Katich at short-leg.

Prior thoroughly deserved his elevation to number six in the order, striking six boundaries from 62 balls including two exquisite cover-drives. Flintoff, making his comeback from injury, inspired some of the loudest applause with a fierce back foot drive for four and a majestic pull to the square-leg boundary. But he was bowled off an inside edge playing a wild, flat-footed drive and Siddle defeated Prior’s attempted defensive shot to put the game back in the balance.