Flintoff was finally rewarded when Phillip Hughes, who had scored only eight runs in 24 deliveries after lunch to reach 36, edged a catch to wicketkeeper Matthew Prior, who took a fine catch low to his right.

Graeme Swann, whose breezy 47 not out from 40 balls in the morning session helped push England beyond 400, bowled five maiden overs in a row. But the Australian batsmen resolutely refused to take any chances, with Katich content to work the ball both sides of the pitch and Ponting pushing it for singles with the occasional swift-footed pull.

Earlier, England added 99 in 16.5 overs after resuming at 336 for seven. Swann added 68 for the ninth wicket with James Anderson (26) and looked set to reach his second Test half-century before Monty Panesar was caught at slip by Ponting off Nathan Hauritz for four to leave him stranded at the other end.