The Ashes series is on a knife's edge. Drama at Old Trafford gave way to fiercer battles at Trent Bridge. England lead 2-1 at the moment, and the last Test at the Oval should be a cracker.

England proved much the superior team in the third Test at Old Trafford. That Australia could eke out a draw right from the jaws of defeat had them heaving a huge sigh of relief and England ruing a splendid opportunity. But for skipper Ricky Ponting's twenty-third and perhaps the most vital Test century of his cricketing career yet, Australia were faced with the ignominy of conceding the lead in the five-Test series after England squared the series in the second game at Edgbaston.

It was England's skipper, Michael Vaughan, who took England to a commanding position with a resurgent Test century of 166 runs that was the crux of England's authoritative offence on a champion team being stretched to the hilt.

It was Simon Jones whose six-wicket assault had Australia running for cover and much at the mercy of England. That rain played spoilsport on day three was a sheer disappointment. Shane Warne proved his mettle with the bat with a priceless innings of ninety with Jason Gillespie providing company, albeit not necessarily in the bowling department. Australia were earlier dealt a blow when Michael Clarke pulled up with a back injury. Despite all efforts, Australia still trailed England by 142 runs.

As time proved more valuable, England's addition to the lead was furthered by Andrew Strauss who made a splendid century. Geraint Jones' late assault off McGrath prompted Vaughan to declared on 280 for six. Needing 422 runs for a famous victory, Australia needed to battle the length of a day and a bit to fight for a draw. With rain having drained a lot of time, the only question on everyone's lips was; Was there enough time to bowl Australia out? England may have had a rethink in hindsight.

Ponting stood rock solid even as England lost three wickets early on the fifth day and found himself having to do the job himself till nearly the very end. Vaughan surprisingly made sparing use of Jones before he bowled Clarke after a eighty-one run partnership with Ponting just before new ball was due well past tea-time. That certainly livened up the silent crowd who egged England on. A determined Brett Lee sought all of Glenn McGrath's batting ability to survive. Australia stood but on barely one leg.

Trent Bridge posed bigger problems for Australia. McGrath's elbow injury meant Michael Kasprowicz would join uncapped Shaun Tait, who replaced an indifferent Gillespie. Deciding to bat, the scenario proved ideal for the openers who put up a fearless century stand. Trescothick, having survived a Lee no-ball, played in true carefree form for his sixty-three before Tait picked up his first Test wicket. Australia made up for the rain interrupted day by pegging England to 229 for four, including the wicket of Vaughan who looked good on fifty-eight.

But the Australians had looked jaded in the outfield and their bowlers struggled with no-balls. The day proved decisively England's with Flintoff and Jones starring in an effervescent 177-run partnership after the early loss of Pietersen. Flintoff raised his first Ashes century and fifth overall for England alongside Geraint Jones, who made a valuable eighty-five himself. England ended up on their highest innings total of 477 for the series.

Australians had their backs to the wall for two days, trying to overcome the follow-on that was enforced after they were bowled out for 218 in their first innings. If Hoggard trapped Australia's top order in the crease as dusk drew closer on day two, Simon Jones wrecked Australia's hopes of a rearguard with five wickets to his name. The scorecard told a sorry tale as he dismissed Simon Katich and Shane Warne off successive deliveries.

With dark clouds not far from the horizon, Vaughan pushed for victory. Matthew Hayden appeared a bleak image of his usual ominous self alongside Langer's desperate attempts for sixty-one. Ponting's outburst after being run out by substitute Gary Pratt as Martyn pressed for a non-existent single reflected the desperation in the Australian camp.

Thereafter, Australia's much improved second innings total of 387 was the result of dogged defiance by Warne, who batted valiantly. England were still within making history, needing 129 for victory. But that they would stumble from thirty-six for two to fifty-seven for four, was unexpected. Warne's early introduction had the desired effect and with Lee fierce at the other end, England were put to the ultimate test. Flintoff and Pieterson steadied the ship, but it still required the resolve of Giles and Hoggard to pull off a breathtaking win for the home side by three wickets.