A devastating burst of English bowling has almost certainly guaranteed this year's Ashes series goes to a deciding match.

Australia was 5-99 at the end of day two of the fourth Test at Trent Bridge - still trailing England by 378 runs and faced with a draw as realistically the best it can achieve from this match.

The tourists were brought undone by the unrelenting accuracy of Matthew Hoggard and Simon Jones, although captain Ricky Ponting was given out LBW despite getting a clear inside edge onto his pads.

Hoggard took 3-32 and Jones 1-22, while Steve Harmison (1-25) struck late to have Michael Clarke (36) LBW before stumps were called.

Australia's terrible last session - which included the loss of three wickets in 11 balls - capped a disastrous day for the world champion, which was powerless to prevent England's Andrew Flintoff and Geraint Jones bat it out of the match in the first two sessions.

Flintoff scored a magnificent 102 and Jones a stylish 85 in a sixth-wicket stand of 177, which was the highest partnership this series and which made sure England was the only side with any chance of victory.

England was all out for 477 on tea.

With the series level at 1-1, an England victory or a draw will make sure the Ashes are up for grabs in the fifth Test, at The Oval starting September 8.

Australia had hoped to retain the Ashes with victory here, but would take a draw in a heartbeat.

The tourists still need 179 runs to avoid the follow-on and must get big scores out of Simon Katich (20 not out) and Adam Gilchrist to be any chance of avoiding defeat.

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