After the tourists declared on 620 for five, Australia were set a target of 375 to make England bat again and reached 238 for four at close of play on a rain-affected day.

Opener Shane Watson, who contributed 57 to his side’s total, told Sky Sports: "We’re going to fight until the death. It’s going to be a very tough day of Test cricket for both sides and we’ll fight as long as we have to."

Asked if his side could save the match without the help of the weather, Watson drew a sharp breath before adding: "Let’s hope so."

England spinner Graeme Swann praised Kevin Pietersen after his final-over heroics with the ball gave the tourists renewed hope of victory.

Pietersen, who earlier hit a career-best Test score of 227, struck with his occasional spin to unseat Michael Clarke for 80 after he had looked to be in for the long haul alongside Mike Hussey.

"We toiled hard in the last session and a half with very little luck," said Swann. "Sometimes you need a bit of inspiration and who else but KP to be up there telling you how to get Clarke out?

"He went straight in and said ‘I’m an all-rounder, I’m an all-rounder’ and he’s still shouting it I think."

Swann earlier snared Australia opener Simon Katich and captain Ricky Ponting to leave the hosts on 98 for two.

"I was really happy with the way the ball came out," he said. "Obviously when you get a couple of early wickets you think ‘this is going to be my day, I could get four or five today’ but it wasn’t to be.

"Their best two players of spin combated me really well. Clarke was very tricky to bowl at. We didn’t have much going for us but it all went our way in the last over."