Sue Thearle reports (BBC News 24)

Eye-catching individual displays from Alex Tudor, who exploded onto the Test scene with four wickets, and Graeme Hick, who bludgeoned a rapid 42 not out, were again overshadowed by team failings.

First, three more catches were put down as Australia struggled to 240 all out.

And then England's top order folded for the second time in the match.

Aussie paceman Damien Fleming dismissing Mark Butcher, Mike Atherton, Nasser Hussain and Alec Stewart in a superb spell of bowling after lunch.

Pat Murphy reports (BBC Radio 5 Live)

Resuming 38 runs ahead on 150 for three - having dismissed England for a lowly 112 on the opening day - Australia were expected to advance towards a formidable total but themselves fell to 240 all out to claim a nervy 128-run first-innings lead.

David Lloyd: We were desperately unlucky

The tourists rocked Australia by claiming the last six wickets for 31 in 39 balls with young debutant Tudor grabbing four for 25 in 21 balls to leave Mark Taylor as the only player to have passed 50 in the first two innings of the match.

"I was delighted to get that first wicket and to get Steve Waugh, one of the best players in the world, is great," Tudor said.

Darren Gough jumps into the arms of Alex Tudor after he caught Ponting out

"The pitch suits me because it has pace and bounce and if you get the ball in the right area you can get results.

"I sometimes have to pinch myself that I'm actually here. I'm delighted to be representing my country and everybody has made it easy for me by telling me to just go out there and express myself and enjoy it."

Tour manager Graham Gooch added: "He has been working hard in the nets and done everything we ask and it's turned into a good debut for him. He's made a promising start and hopefully he will get better and better."

Jonathan Agnew and Vic Marks discuss Hick's attacking effort

But England once again failed to build on their bowlers' impressive performances with only Atherton, Mark Ramprakash and Hick staying long enough at the crease to add runs to the board.

Butcher falling in the fourth over of their second innings when he edged Fleming to Ricky Ponting at fourth slip for one.

Mike Atherton becomes Fleming's fourth victim

Hussain fell in Fleming's next over, trapped leg before to a ball which nipped back off the seam, Stewart followed when he edged the same bowler to first slip Taylor for a duck and Atherton fell to give Fleming his fourth wicket, after his five in the first innings.

Ramprakash and Crawley then took up the reins in a partnership that last just over an hour and added 27 to the scoreboard.

Colin Miller, bowling off-spin, finally broke up the stand, with Crawley playing a forced defensive shot straight to Langer at short-leg.

Alex Tudor: Cricket's a funny game

Hick proved even more of a thorn for Australia - smashing a quick 42 and hitting Jason Gillespie for 17 in the same over with two sixes, one four and a single to secure only the second 50 partnership of the match.

But only an astonishing effort from Hick and Ramprakash - the last two recognised batsmen - on the third day can now save England from a crushing defeat.

Scorecard:

England first innings 112 all out (Fleming 5-46)

England Second innings:
M Butcher c Ponting b Fleming 1
M Atherton not out 35
N Hussain lbw Fleming 1
A Stewart c Taylor b Fleming 0
M Ramprakash not out 26
J Crawley c Langer b Miller 15
G Hick not out 42
Extras 6
Total: (for five wickets, 47 overs) 126

To Bat: D G Cork, D Gough, A J Tudor, A D Mullally.

Bowling: McGrath 17-6-30-0; Fleming 11-5-16-4; Gillespie 9-1-69-0; Miller 10-4-11-1.

Australia first innings:
M Taylor c Stewart b Cork 61
M Slater c Butcher b Gough 34
J Langer c Crawley b Ramp'kash 15
M Waugh c Butcher b Tudor 36
J Gillespie c Stewart b Mullally 11
S Waugh b Tudor 33
R Ponting c Stewart b Tudor 11
I Healy lbw b Gough 12
D Fleming c Hick b Gough 0
C Miller not out 3
G McGrath b Tudor c Cork 0
Extras: 24
Total: (all out, 89.2 overs) 240

Fall: 1-81 2-115, 3-138, 4-165, 5-209, 6-214, 7-228, 8-228, 9-239.

Bowling: Gough 25-9-43-3; Cork 21-5-49-1; Tudor 20.2-5-89-4; Mullally 21-10-36-1; Ramprakash 2-0-12-1