Australia take fourth test to draw level

England's thrilling lower-order resistance was ended swiftly after lunch as Australia completed a comprehensive innings victory in the fourth Test to draw level in the Ashes series at Headingley.

Resuming the third morning in a seemingly impossible position, trailing by 261 runs on 82 for five, England's daunting task became all the more difficult when they lost two wickets inside the first hour.

Despite a boundary-filled 108-run eighth-wicket partnership between Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann, England slumped to 263 all out six overs after lunch, handing Australia victory by an innings and 80 runs.

Australia's victory sets up a series decider at The Oval, starting on August 20.

Nightwatchman James Anderson got off the mark with a slash through point for four off the second ball of the day from Ben Hilfenhaus to extend his run to 54 consecutive innings without suffering a Test duck.

It was his last act of defiance, however, with Anderson edging the next ball to the safe hands of Ricky Ponting at second slip to accelerate England's demise.

Wicketkeeper Matt Prior, unbeaten on four overnight, was England's last hope of mounting a serious fightback as their last recognised batsmen.

Playing his naturally aggressive game, Prior added 34 with new batsman Broad and at least ensured England avoided suffering their worst ever home Test defeat, which currently stands at an innings and 226 runs against West Indies at Lord's in 1973.

Having progressed to 22, however, Prior pushed at a Hilfenhaus outswinger and edged behind for wicketkeeper Brad Haddin to take a brilliant one-handed catch low to his right.

But just as England looked set to completely capitulate, Broad and Swann teamed up in a thrilling partnership which at least restored some self-belief in England's shattered ranks.

Broad was fortunate early in his innings and almost followed Prior back to the dressing room three overs later when he gave a leading edge facing Mitchell Johnson, but the ball flew just over the despairing reach of Peter Siddle at mid-on.

New batsman Swann was also given a reprieve in the next over when he got an inside edge off Hilfenhaus which narrowly missed the top of the stumps and flew to fine leg for four.

Having enjoyed their share of good fortune during the early stages of their partnership, the Nottinghamshire pair opened out to demonstrate their full range of shots and at one stage hammered 49 runs in just three overs.

Broad was given two further reprieves before lunch, firstly being missed on 53 by Johnson at long on as he attempted to drive Siddle over the top, and he had added just four more runs when Katich also dropped him in the deep off Stuart Clark.

His luck finally ran out four overs before lunch when he pulled Siddle into the deep and this time Shane Watson claimed the catch and end 66 minutes of mayhem.

Swann attempted to continue the onslaught after lunch but fell four overs after the interval for 62 off 72 balls - just one short of short of equalling his career Test best - when he was adjudged to have edged Siddle behind.

England's demise was completed two overs later when Johnson completed his first Ashes five-wicket haul by swinging the ball into Graham Onions' stumps.