Australia's 16-year hold of the Ashes appears doomed despite an incredible final-day comeback at Trent Bridge.

England won the fourth Test by three wickets to take a 2-1 series lead amid high drama.

Typical of this remarkable series, England's victory was heart-in-the-mouth stuff, as Shane Warne and then Brett Lee put the wobbles through the home camp, which needed only 129 to win.

Warne's three wickets and another to Lee had England teetering at 4-57, and a nervous Nottingham crowd on edge.

Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen then looked to have restored order with a partnership of 46, but when Lee had dismissed both batsmen, the home side still needed 18 runs to win and it was close to anyone's game.

Geraint Jones' mindless swipe to Warne, which was caught by Michael Kasprowicz at deep cover, left England seven men down and still 13 runs shy of victory. As the wicketkeeper walked off, it looked like England had thrown away a Test match and series.

But bowlers Matthew Hoggard and Ashley Giles kept their cool despite the immeasurable pressure of the situation.

A thunderous applause erupted when Hoggard drove Lee for four to reduce the target to four, before Giles hit Warne through mid-wicket to score the winning runs.

Warne finished with 4-31 and Lee 3-51.

Despite Australia's last hurrah, it is danger of letting its 16-year hold of the Ashes slip.

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