Australia vs. England- 2nd Ashes Test- England on the Brink

And against most predictions, this Test match saunters on to the fifth and final day.

Graeme Swann did well to put England on target for victory in Adelaide, where Australia lost three wickets before tea.

The hosts still trail by 137 runs, and with the top half of their top order already back in the dressing room, they will do well to salvage a draw here.

Pietersen added another 14 to his overnight score in the morning session, eventually being caught at slip misjudging a slog sweep.

From then on England’s batsmen scored swiftly knowing that Strauss was looking for a declaration.

The visitors scored 69 runs in nine overs before the captain called them back into the pavilion to chance and head out to the middle yet again.

Ian Bell once again saw an improvement in his average, ending on an unbeaten 68 alongside Matt Prior who scored a quick-fire 27.

England declared their innings on 5 for 620 - their highest Test innings total in 20 years.

Simon Katich and Shane Watson played well first up, before Swann removed Katich early in the second session. He then added Australian captain Ponting with a great catch in the slip cordon by an alert Collingwood.

Young up and comer Steve Finn struck before tea, having Watson caught by Strauss at slip.

England will be worried at the loss of Stuart Broad from the attack. Broad suffered a strained stomach muscle, with him unlikely to return to bowling action in this Test.

However, on the bowling front it has been all Graeme Swann.

Swann showed great skill to extract sharp turn out of the rough, and accounted for the ever dangerous Ponting, when he fired down a straighter delivery that did not spin out of the rough as Ponting expected.

Before that he had the honours of ending the 84-run opening partnership, when Katich tried to defend and was caught behind off a thin edge for 43.

Early on in the innings Watson played a solid anchor role, batting confidently and aggressively. However, after once again registering a 50, he failed to convert flashing at a rising Finn delivery.

It would not be an Ashes Test without some drama, and it came off the final delivery of the day. Part time spinner Pietersen had Clarke caught at short leg, leaving the game in the balance today.

Rain halted proceedings in the last afternoon, and with further rain expected for the final day England are going to want to head out and dominate from the get-go.

Getting all 20 wickets on a flat Adelaide track was always going to be difficult; however England will feel confident up against the longest Australian tail in some years.

England will be disappointed if they cannot press on from here, with the rain being the only real chance Australia has of saving this Test match.