Australia kept itself alive in a remarkable Ashes series by batting out the final, dramatic day against England to draw the third Test at Old Trafford.

The last pair Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath had to survive four torrid overs to ensure Australia salvaged a draw.

Outplayed and under siege for most of the match, Australia produced its best batting effort of the series - thanks mainly to captain Ricky Ponting - to withstand everything England's bowlers could muster.

The series remains level at 1-1 with two Tests to play.

Ponting scored 156 in almost seven hours as he and tailenders Shane Warne, Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath played out the last 31.1 overs of the match.

Warne was out for 34 with 58 balls remaining when he was caught off the rebound by England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones after second slip Andrew Strauss spilled the initial chance.

Ponting was then out with 24 balls left, leaving the fate of the match to Lee and McGrath.

Lee punched the air when he leg glanced Steve Harmison's final delivery of the match for four and then embraced McGrath as Australia got out of jail.

Set an unprecedented 423 to win, Australia finished on 9-371 and was only 52 runs short of victory at the close.

But two hours before the finish, Australia looked headed for defeat and a 2-1 series deficit.

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