Day four in Cardiff begins under grey skies - and the outlook is pretty bleak for England with no sign of an early breakthrough against the Australian middle order
Brad Haddin hits a four as Australia take the total past 500 without any major scares - and the tourists' lead moves towards 100
There is precious little encouragement for England on the fourth morning, and Stuart Broad's body language tells its own story after an ineffective opening spell
Even the combined efforts of talismanic all-rounder Andrew Flintoff can't seem to make a positive difference for downbeat England skipper Andrew Strauss
Just before the interval Marcus North completes a fine century on his Ashes debut - and his second Test ton in just three matches
Brad Haddin quickly follows North in reaching a milestone, completing his third Test half century to leave Strauss and his men with plenty to contemplate at the lunch interval
The lunch interval does not bring the anticipated rain - no doubt to the chagrin of England's beleaguered bowlers - and Australia are in no mood for mercy, taking their score past 600 and pushing the lead towards 200
Brad Haddin is soon celebrating his own ton as he becomes the fourth Australian to reach three figures in the innings - an Aussie Ashes record
Unsurprisingly, it's all smiles on the Australia balcony as they celebrate Haddin's ton - and a seemingly unassailable position in the opening Test match
One of England's 2005 Ashes heroes, Simon Jones, gets involved - sadly for England the injury-hit paceman is forced to take a supporting role in the stands in Cardiff
England finally make a breakthrough, with Brad Haddin caught by Ravi Bopara, prompting Australia to declare on a massive 674-6. Marcus North (125 not out) looks understandably happy as he leaves the field
England face a tricky few overs before tea as they start their second innings 239 behind - and their nerves are not settled as Alastair Cook is out lbw to Mitchell Johnson
Cook's dismissal is a hammer blow for England, and things soon get worse as Ravi Bopara falls foul of a questionable lbw decision to the bowling of Ben Hilfenhaus, much to the further delight of the Australians
Kevin Pietersen comes to the crease and helps England limp to the tea interval at 20-2 - and it is not just the gathering rain clouds on the horizon that are giving the England batsman serious cause for concern
Just as the players leave the field for the tea interval the heavens open, bringing an early close to the day's play, and also bringing England a not-entirely-unwelcome break from the Australian onslaught
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