Michael Peschardt: The loss of Stewart was a major let down

Facing a daunting target of 287 to win on a turning pitch, the tourists reached 104-2 at stumps on a gripping third day at the SCG.

Openers Alec Stewart and Mark Butcher began England's reply in aggressive fashion, with a quickfire half-century stand, smashing Glenn McGrath out of the attack with a series of boundaries.

Shane Warne ends England's early assault with the wicket of Mark Butcher (Radio 4)

But Australia's leg-spinners again did the damage to remove both batsmen before the close of play.

Shane Warne emulated his first innings performance by taking a wicket in his first over, as Butcher was tempted forward and was stumped by Ian Healy for 27.

Ian Healy claims his second stumping to see off Alec Stewart (Radio 4)

And Stuart MacGill then saw off Stewart in similar style, after the England skipper had refused to be tied down by the spinners in an attacking knock of 42.

Nasser Hussain (17no) and Mark Ramprakash (14no) survived the remaining overs to set up what should be a fascinating finale on Tuesday.

Slater survives run-out controversy

Slater's awesome innings ensured the tourists still need an incredible effort to triumph in what has proved to be an intriguing contest.

Michael Slater completes a remarkable century with another huge drive (Radio 4)

But Slater, who hit what could prove to be a match-winning innings as the wickets were tumbling around him, was fortunate to reach his century after getting the benefit of the doubt for a tight run-out decision on 35.

The stroke-playing opener at times appeared to be playing on a different pitch to his team-mates as he bludgeoned some amazing shots, including three huge sixes off off-spinner Peter Such, on the way to his third ton of the series.

Dean Headley finally brings Michael Slater's innings to a close (Radio 4)

Slater, who accounted for two-thirds of his side's total, was eventually dismissed for 123 when he was caught behind off Dean Headley, who along with five-wicket man Such did most of the damage with the ball.

Only one other batsman reached double figures, as England's bowlers produced an excellent early rearguard action to dismiss Australia for 184 and give themselves a slender chance.

Morning glory for bowlers

Darren Gough lifts England with the early wicket of Mark Taylor (Radio 4)

England's desperate bid to force their way back into the match had got off to a fine start with four wickets in the morning.

Darren Gough - pumped up after his first innings hat-trick - struck in his opening over of the morning, as Australian skipper Mark Taylor edged the ball to his opposite number Stewart at second slip for two.

Dean Headley celebrates dismissing Mark Waugh for 24

Headley then doubled the damage, with Justin Langer dismissed for one, debatably adjudged lbw to a rising delivery that struck him on the thigh pad and looked to be clearing the stumps.

But Slater, in typically confident mood, and Mark Waugh were able to steady the ship with a useful partnership as Australia's lead went past the 150 mark.

Slater, however, experienced an almighty slice of luck to survive a run-out decision on 35.

Michael Slater awaits the verdict over a touch and go run-out decision (Radio 4)

Headley produced a superb throw from the deep to hit the stumps with Slater chasing a second run - but, after an agonising delay while the third umpire checked the inconclusive TV replays, the opener was given not out.

England did not have to wait long for their next breakthrough, though. Headley was brought back into the attack and he fired in a short ball which Waugh turned to square leg, where Ramprakash executed a superb one-handed catch to dismiss the first innings centurion for 24.

Slater looked intent on hitting Such out of the attack, but the spinner stuck to his task and he was immediately rewarded with the wicket of Darren Lehmann, who cut a wide delivery to short leg and John Crawley juggled with the ball before claiming a fine catch.

Ian Healy becomes Peter Such's second victim of the day (Radio 4)

England battled gamely on after lunch, as Healy dollied a straightforward chance into the hands of Crawley off Such and was dismissed for five.

Healy's departure brought Steve Waugh to the wicket, after he was forced to drop down the order following a hamstring injury. And Australia's most dangerous batsman was for once removed cheaply, clean bowled by Headley for eight.

Shane Warne holes out to Mark Ramprakash in the deep (Radio 4)

With Slater now in real barnstorming mode, Warne tried to emulate his senior partner - but a huge hit into the deep brought his downfall as Ramprakash held a low catch.

After Slater had finally been seen off by Headley, Butcher held a diving catch at silly point to dismiss MacGill for six off Such.

And two balls later Such claimed his fifth wicket of the innings, wrapping up the Australian innings when Glenn McGrath offered a catch to Stewart and was gone for 0.

Scorecard - Close:

England second innings:
M Butcher st Healy b Warne 27
A Stewart st Healy b MacGill 42
N Hussain not out 17
M Ramprakash not out 14
Extras 4
Total (for 2 wickets, 30 overs) 104

Fall: 1-57, 2-77

Bowling: McGrath 4-0-26-0, Miller 9-1-26-0, MacGill 8-1-27-1, Warne 9-1-22-1

Australia second innings:
M Slater c Hegg b Headley 123
M Taylor c Stewat b Gough 2
J Langer lbw b Headley 1
M Waugh not out 24
D Lehmann c Crawley b Such 0
I Healy c Crawley b Such 5
S Waugh b Headley 8
S Warne c Ramprakash b Such 8
S MacGill c Butcher b Such 7
C Miller not out 2
G McGrath c Stewart b Such 0
Extras 3
Total (for all out, 64.5 overs) 184

Fall: 1-16, 2-25, 3-64, 4-73, 5-91, 6-110, 7-141, 8-180, 9-184

Bowling: Headley 19-7-40-4, Gough 15-3-51-1, Such 25.5-5-81-5, Tudor 5-2-8-0

England first innings:
M Butcher lbw b Warne 36
A Stewart c Warne b McGrath 3
N Hussain c M Waugh b Miller 42
M Ramprakash c MacGill b McGrath 14
G Hick c Warne b MacGill 23
J Crawley not out 44
W Hegg b Miller 15
A Tudor b MacGill 14
D Headley c McGrath b MacGill 8
D Gough lbw b MacGill 0
P Such not out 0
Extras 21
Total (80.1 overs) 220

Fall: 1-18, 2-56, 3-88, 4-137, 5-139, 6-171, 7-204, 8-213, 9-213

Bowling: McGrath 17-7-35-2, Miller 23-6-45-2, MacGill 20.1-2-57-5, Warne 20-4-67-1

Australia first innings:
M Taylor c Hick b Headley 2
M Slater c Hegg b Headley 18
J Langer c Ramprakash b Tudor 26
M Waugh c Hegg b Headley 121
S Waugh b Such 96
D Lehmann c Hussain b Tudor 32
I Healy c Hegg b Gough 14
S Warne not out 2
S MacGill b Gough 0
C Miller b Gough 0
G McGrath c Hick b Headley 0

Extras 11
Total (all out, 87.3 overs) 322

Fall: 1-4, 2-52, 3-52, 4-242, 5-284, 6-319, 7-321, 8-321, 9-321

Bowling: Gough 17-3-61-3, Headley 19.3-3-62-4, Tudor 12-1-64-2, Such 24-6-77-1, Ramprakash 15-0-56-0