Late wicket just before tea to Joe Root gives home side a boost.
Australia have given themselves every chance of winning the first Ashes Test of the summer after moving to 111-2 at tea on day four at Trent Bridge.
The touring side needs another 200 runs for a remarkable victory but they did suffer a blow just before the break with Ed Cowan being caught at slip off the bowling of Roe Root for 14.
England captain Alastair Cook showed his hand early in the session and bowled Graeme Swan for the first time in the innings.
And the England skipper gave his top slow bowler the tools he needed with at least two fielders around the bat to both Shane Watson and Chris Rogers.
The pitch continued to be placid as the Australian openers scored enough to see Cook to push the field back, presenting them with singles around the ground as the run-rate climbed towards four an over.
Unlike Michael Clarke in his first two turns in the field, Cook was happy to stick with routine as he preferred his bowlers to get into a rhythm.
But despite being offered plenty off the pitch, Swann started to become frustrated as Watson and Rogers used their feel well and helped their total towards 100.
The first ball after the drinks break did the trick for the home side with Stuart Broad striking Watson on the pads, with the Australian all-rounder electing to review it straight away.
However, the Hot Spot angle from square-leg showed no sign of an inside edge with the angle of the ball going to the umpire’s call, after it showed it just hitting the leg stump by the barest of margins.
In what was a blow for the Australians, Watson departed for 46 and Australia went to 84-1 bringing in
Cowan who was dismissed for a golden duck in the first innings.
However, he survived the first ball to avoid the indignity of a king pair.
The first wicket brought the crowd to life with a dab outside off-stump by Cowan had people out of their seats and hands to the heads of English players.
Swann then got into the act as Rogers looked to be caught behind off a slow and sharp-turning ball.
On replay, the ball missed the outside edge of the bat before hitting his back pad, which was outside of the off-stump, with the DRS signalling he was correct as he stayed in.
After Watson was dismissed just minutes earlier it was a crucial call for the Rogers to make with the Australian opener being rewarded for his courage, as he could have used up another review.
After a nervous start to his innings, Cowan began to settle as he used his feet well to Swann while dining out on Steve Finn, who was too short in his length for the conditions.
In a bid to pry out another wicket from Australia, the ball was thrown to Joe Root who had mixed results in his first over
Rogers brought up his 50 off 104 balls in what was a patient innings as he and Cowan tried to keep the run-rate ticking along close to three an over.
But in the over before tea, Root earned the vital wicket of Cowan, after the Australian went for a big drive with a thick outside edge flying to first slip as the score went to 111-2 the break.
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