The controversy came as the tourists battled back, ending the day on 160-3 in their first innings in reply to the Aussies' total of 391.

They had been 84-3 before Nasser Hussain and Mark Ramprakash launched a spirited fightback.

Atherton had compiled a nerveless innings of 41, passing 6,000 Test runs, before he edged leg spinner Stuart MacGill to Mark Taylor at first slip.

The decision was given to third umpire Paul Angley who gave Atherton out.

But TV footage appeared to suggest the ball had bounced before Taylor claimed the chance.

Graham Gooch: Atherton is very disappointed (BBC Radio 5 Live)

Tour manager Graham Gooch later said: "I have sent an official letter of complaint to John Reid. I can't say what is in the letter but everyone who has seen the replay can make up their own mind."

Gooch added: "This does not reflect on the player or the umpire and we must respect the decision that has been made. In no way is this a complaint against Mark Taylor or the sportsmanship of the Australian team."

Pat Murphy on Gooch's complaint

England are thought to be annoyed that the third umpire gave Atherton out so quickly.

Taylor later said that despite his loud appeal, he had been uncertain. "I told the umpires I wasn't sure and I left it to the third umpire," he said.

Mark Demuth reports (BBC News 24)

Justin Langer was again Australia's star at the start of the day, hitting a magnificent 179 not out before running out of partners.

England were held up by a last wicket stand of 37 between Langer and Glenn McGrath before Darren Gough wrapped up the innings when he had McGrath brilliantly caught behind for his second wicket of the day.

In the morning Dean Headley claimed three wickets and Peter Such bagged another to peg back the Australians, who had resumed at 266-4.

Pat Murphy reports (BBC Radio 5 Live)

Langer, who batted for more than eight hours, never looked in trouble while the wickets were tumbling around his ears.

Gough made the first breakthrough as Ricky Ponting edged to Graeme Hick in the slips for six.

Headley was fortunate to see off the dangerous Ian Healy in his first over, as the wicketkeeper flashed a half-volley to Ramprakash in the covers.

Headley then captured Damien Fleming and Colin Miller, while Such deceived MacGill for a duck.

Battling back

England made another poor start with the bat before Hussain hit a fine half-century and Ramprakash added a stylish 45 as they put together an unbeaten stand of 76.

Atherton had looked in imperious form and had completed a half-century stand with Hussain as they took on the pacemen, smacking 14 runs off one Fleming over.

But after Atherton left the pitch shaking his head, Stewart continued his abysmal run in the Test series when he was caught off bat and pad by Michael Slater off Miller for a duck.

First man out for England was Mark Butcher, who suffered a lapse of judgement and was leg-before to Miller for six in the off-spinner's first over as he padded up playing no shot.

Scorecard - Close:

England first innings:
M Butcher lbw b Miller 6
M Atherton c Taylor b MacGill 41
N Hussain not out 58
A Stewart c Slater b Miller 0
M Ramprakash not out 45
Extras 10
Total (for 3 wickets, 50 overs) 160

Fall: 1-18, 2-83, 3-84

To Bat: J P Crawley, G A Hick, D Gough, D W Headley, A D Mullally, P M Such.

Bowling: McGrath 13-2-41-0, Fleming 8-2-22-0, Miller 13-1-48-2, MacGill 15-2-28-1, M E Waugh 3-0-17-0

Australia first innings:
M Slater c Stewart b Headley 17
M Taylor c Hussain b Such 59
J Langer not out 179
M Waugh c and b Such 7
S Waugh c Hick b Gough 59
R Ponting c Hick b Gough 6
I Healy c Ramprakash b Headley 13
D Fleming lbw b Headley 12
S MacGill b Such 0
C Miller lbw b Headley 11
G McGrath c Stewart b Headley 10
Extras 18
Total (125.5 overs) 391

Fall: 1-28, 2-140, 3-156, 4-264, 5-274, 6-311, 7-338, 8-339, 9-354

Bowling: Gough 29.5-4-103-3, Mullally 26-5-59-0, Headley 23-1-97-4, Such 38-8-99-3 Ramprakash 9-1-27-0