Australia's captain Ricky Ponting, right, is bowled by England's Graeme Swann as wicketkeeper Matthew Prior, centre, looks on and Ravi Bopara jumps on the fourth day of the third cricket test match between England and Australia in Birmingham, England, Sunday Aug. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Australia's captain Ricky Ponting, right, is bowled by England's Graeme Swann as wicketkeeper Matthew Prior, centre, looks on and Ravi Bopara jumps on the fourth day of the third cricket test match between England and Australia in Birmingham, England, Sunday Aug. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Australia’s Ashes defence is in danger of unravelling after England moved in for the kill on an eventful fourth day of the third Test at Edgbaston.

The touring side’s batsmen must knuckle down on the final day to dig Australia out of a hole with the weather forecast for clear conditions in Birmingham and an English side bubbling with confidence.

Needing to score 113 runs just to make England bat again, Australia were 2-88 in their second innings at stumps with Shane Watson (34no) and Mike Hussey (18no) unbeaten.

Already trailing 1-0 in the series, another loss and Australia will have to win the last two matches of the series at Headingley and The Oval to retain the Ashes.

Andrew Flintoff (74) and Stuart Broad (55) earlier looked to bat the tourists out of the contest with brisk knocks that ensured the home side had plenty of time to bowl the tourists out again.

Australia opener Simon Katich (26) missed out again after making another start, caught behind trying to drive a Graham Onions (1-30) ball that moved a little off the pitch.

Ricky Ponting (5) instantly looked uncomfortable against the energetic Graeme Swann (1-24), the off-spinner producing a memorable over to the Australian skipper.

After being unlucky not to have Ponting lbw with the fourth ball, Swann produced a beautifully flighted delivery.

It dragged Ponting forward and the ball spun sharply between bat and pad to hit middle stump.

Australia looked in all sorts of trouble at 2-52 before scratching their way to a late close still 25 runs in deficit.

Earlier, Flintoff put his ordinary bowling display in Australia’s first innings behind him with a pulsating 79-ball knock that included 10 fours and a six as England scored 376 in response to Australia’s 263.

With England looking vulnerable at 5-168, Flintoff arrived at the crease oozing confidence and even initiated a few words with a reinvigorated Mitchell Johnson (2-92) to make his presence felt in his final Test series.

Australia’s seamers had done a terrific job of keeping it tight until Shane Watson’s (0-23 off three overs) introduction with the total at 5-201.

Flintoff feasted on his modest bowling and, with paceman Peter Siddle (3-89) wayward as well, the big Lancastrian and Matt Prior (41) picked off 48 runs off six overs in their match-turning, sixth-wicket stand of 89 off 97 balls.

Even after Flintoff departed, the English tail continued the healthy scoring rate with the last three wickets coming at a cost of 69 runs thanks to Broad’s hard-hitting innings.

Ben Hilfenhaus (4-109) was the pick of the bowlers while Johnson was far better than his figures suggested.

The left-armer produced some hostile spells and was more than happy to get in the faces of the opposition, having words with Flintoff, Swann and Broad.

In one fiery moment late in the England innings, Johnson and Broad stood toe to toe and exchanged words after Broad had smacked the bowler down the ground for four.

There was concern over Johnson’s hamstring after he clutched it late in the day in the field but Australian team management said there was no issue.

Snapshot of day four of the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston.

SCORE – Australia 263 and 2-88; England 376

MAN OF THE MOMENT – Andrew Flintoff. The departing allrounder made his mark with the bat in a match-turning knock of 74 off 79 balls as England recovered from 5-168 to all out for 376. The pace handed his side plenty of time to roll Australia again.

KEY MOMENT – Since his poor showing in Cardiff, England spinner Graeme Swann has taken some big wickets in the past two Tests. He had Ricky Ponting in all sorts of trouble as soon as the Australian skipper came in and the off-spinner produced a cracking over late in the day. He was unlucky not to have Ponting lbw but two balls later produced a brilliant delivery that dragged the Tasmanian forward then turned back sharply to hit his middle stump.

STAT OF THE DAY – 508. Number of fours Andrew Flintoff has hit in Test cricket. The big man eased the load on his dodgy knee by thumping 10 boundaries and a six in his rollicking knock.

QUOTE OF THE DAY – “If we can start well and put some pressure on Australia we can probably win the Test match. However they probably think if they can get through to lunch unscathed or lose one wicket then they would be doing alright. It is a big morning for both teams.” Flintoff.

SUMMARY – Australia must bat well tomorrow to keep their series deficit at just 1-0 after England seized control on day four. Australia were back in the game with the home side at 5-168 before Flintoff swaggered to the crease and snatched the game away from the visitors. Aiding his cause was Shane Watson’s modest three-over spell that ignited his 89-run partnership with Matt Prior (41).

© AAP 2012

Get a daily cricket email

Our daily emails are only sent if there is content for the sport. You can subscribe to multiple daily emails; or get the daily Roar email with all our content in it.

We value privacy. More.