Day five - The Denouement. After a passionate rendition of Jerusalem, the bare facts are these. England have eight wickets to take, including the often obdurate Mike Hussey, and Australia begin 25 runs in arrears
If by any chance he needed a reminder of the battle ahead, Hussey is handed one, a lasting one, as a 90mph Flintoff delivery crashes into a place that, once inflicted with pain, is not likely to forget the experience
Shane Watson maintains the old adage of keeping the scoreboard moving, even in an Ashes dogfight, and is not afraid to play his shots as the fifty partnership soon comes up off 114 balls
There are a few appeals but few genuine alarms for the batsmen as England fail to break through in the opening hour and their dream of a 2-0 lead with only two matches to play begins to fade a little
Watson also feels the force of a typically fiery spell from Flintoff, and soon acquires an impressive bruise as a souvenir, but survives to record his third Test fifty as Australia get to the first drinks break with no further loss
But having appeared to weather the storm, Watson edges a drive in the first over after the drinks break as Anderson makes the breakthrough in his opening over of the day
Stuart Broad, whose place is thought to be under threat after only four wickets in the first two and a half matches, claims the key wicket of Hussey, who edges behind after making his 16th Test fifty, before Australia reach lunch 59 ahead at 172-4
The pain of a herculean effort begins to show on Flintoff, with no further wicket in the first hour after lunch for England, as Australia's lead extends beyond 100
Clarke plays a series of assured strokes to record his 15th Test fifty
Matt Prior swoops to take a neat catch close to the wicket but after consultation with the third official, umpire Rudi Koertzen decides Clarke has made no contact with the ball
England try a little spell of "mental disintegration" but Clarke takes it all in his stride in a century partnership with Marcus North
There is a fair sprinkling of Australian gold at a packed Edgbaston, but the vast majority of a passionate crowd are following England and the century partnership gradually quietens down a fervent atmosphere
North is congratulated by Clarke as they record a century stand from 184 balls and the newcomer moves towards his third century in his first five Test matches
North's uncomplicated approach helps his team to safety, and secures the highest Australian fifth-wicket partnership against England at Edgbaston. He then falls just short of his ton, for 96
With the game petering out to a draw, the enthusiastic Edgbaston crowd are forced to instigate their own form of entertainment
Australia centurion Michael Clarke shakes hands with England captain Andrew Strauss to signal the end of the match - a draw. The two sides will lock horns again on Friday at Headingley
Australia captain Ricky Ponting cannot hide his delight with deputy Michael Clarke after his unbeaten century earns a draw and means their side are still only one down with two matches to play
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