England's build-up is complicated by the injury to Andrew Flintoff, and a call-up for Steve Harmison. The hosts are thrown into further disarray when Matt Prior's back spasm almost forces Paul Collingwood to don the gloves
In the end, Prior take his starting place, while Australia shake up their bowling attack with seamer Stuart Clark replacing spinner Nathan Hauritz
With the very first ball of the match, Ben Hilfenhaus swings a ball into Andrew Strauss' pads. But the England skipper, having elected to bat first, is fortunate to be reprieved by umpire Billy Bowden
However the England captain does not trouble the scorers for long after Marcus North takes a sensational one-handed catch in the slips to leave the total 11-1, and Strauss cursing a weak drive outside the off-stump
Strauss, England's outstanding batsman in the series, makes the long walk back to the pavilion hoping the rest of his team can defy Australia's bowlers for rather longer
However, Australia captain Ricky Ponting is already plotting the downfall of further England batsmen
The second wicket follows shortly after as Ravi Bopara gropes outside his off-stump and is caught in the gully off Hilfenhaus
Mitchell Johnson's short-pitched ball at Ian Bell is gloved to returning wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, and England hit serious trouble at 39-3
The fourth wicket, and a fourth bowler to pick one up as Stuart Clark teases Paul Collingwood to edge into the slips for a duck
Things just get better for Clark and Australia as opener Alastair Cook falls for 30, edging to Michael Clarke at first slip
And Clark picks up a third wicket on the stroke of lunch as England collapse to 72-6 as Stuart Broad pushes a catch to short square-leg
Things deteriorate after lunch for England as Siddle collects a seventh wicket when Graeme Swann edges to Michael Clarke at first slip
Steve Harmison nicks a straight ball going over middle stump to Haddin, giving Siddle his third wicket of the day
A short ball from Siddle is gloved behind by James Anderson while Graham Onions is unluckily adjudged caught at short-leg - the result is that England are all out for 102 in 34 overs, Siddle taking 5-21 from 9.5 overs
Steve Harmison removes Simon Katich in his first over but that shred of optimism quickly evaporates as Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson produce a brilliant partnership either side of tea to push Australia into the lead
Ponting's shot-making is particularly impressive. The Headingley fans who predictably boo him to the wicket are treated to a master class from the Australian skipper
Broad finally removes Ponting for 78 as three lbw appeals go England's way after tea, Watson (51) and Michael Hussey (10) the other two batsman dismissed
Michael Clarke's unbeaten 34 takes Australia to 196-4 at stumps - a lead of 94 - though England are frustrated to see Clarke survive an appeal for a catch behind the wicket off Harmison
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