Australia is under pressure for the first time in the Ashes series as it resumes its first innings on 1-28 at the Adelaide Oval.

England captain Andrew Flintoff switched tactics when he took the new ball himself and removed opener Justin Langer late on the second day after England had made 6-551, its highest score in Australia in 20 years.

Although a draw looks the likeliest option on a featherbed pitch, Australia faces a nervous restart with the ball only nine overs old and England bursting with confidence.

England's total was built on a superb fourth-wicket partnership of 310 between Paul Collingwood (206) and Kevin Pietersen (158).

Collingwood became the first Englishman to make a double century on the Adelaide Oval, and Pietersen matched his Ashes clinching score at The Oval last year.

It is the third time he has made 158, which remains his highest Test score.

"It's not a bad problem to have," he said.

More importantly for Pietersen he believes he has the measure of his Hampshire team mate Shane Warne, whose 1-167 was his most expensive return ever.

Warne spent much of the middle session bowling outside Pietersen's leg stump from round the wicket.

"That's the way he's looking to get me out. Maybe he can't get me out," Pietersen said.

Play starts at 1100 local (1130 AEDT).

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