Australian batsman Michael Clarke fell achingly short of a century in his debut Ashes clash but gave his side the upper hand on another riveting day in the first Test against England at Lord's.

The 24-year-old put aside eight months of disappointing Test form to score a superb 91 and with his mate Damien Martyn, who made 65, registered the only century stand of a match dominated by bowlers.

At stumps on day two, Australia was 7-279 in its second innings, leading by 314 runs, and with the prospect of bowling last on a wicket that showed its first signs of inconsistency late on day one.

Simon Katich was 10 not out but Shane Warne (two) was out caught in the gully off Steve Harmison's bowling off the final delivery of the day.

Martyn and Clarke put on 155 for the fourth wicket to give their side the advantage, after Australia bowled England out for 155 early in the day.

But England struck back with a late burst of 4-24 just as Australia looked like it was nearing an unbeatable position with both Clarke and Martyn falling in successive balls.

Clarke was bowled by an inside edge off Matthew Hoggard with a debut century at Lord's agonisingly within reach.

Martyn was out next delivery, LBW to Steve Harmison, and his departure put a new spin on what has been a dramatic Test.

When Andrew Flintoff bowled Australia's talisman Adam Gilchrist for 10, the home side had taken 3-19, and when Harmison struck in the final over, England had claimed 4-24 to keep its chances of winning alive.

Clarke, who had his parents and grandparents watching in the stands, deserved a century.

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