Eng build big lead

England captain Andrew Strauss drives the ball on the off side during his solid knock of 75 on the third day of the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval in London yesterday. Photo: AFP

Jonathan Trott was closing in on a century on his Test debut as England continued to press for an Ashes-clinching win in the fifth and final Test against Australia at the Oval on Saturday.
England, at tea on the third day, were 290 for seven in their second innings -- a lead of 462 runs -- in a match where victory would see then win the series 2-1.
Trott was 83 not out and Graeme Swann 34 not out, with part-time Australia spinner Marcus North taking Test-best figures of four for 98.
But the way Swann struck North for two successive fours immediately before the break said much about the state of the game.
South Africa-born Trott shared a fourth-wicket stand of 118 with England captain Andrew Strauss (75) after coming to the crease when the hosts were in trouble at 39 for three.
England at lunch were 157 for a four -- a lead of 329 -- after Strauss, whose fifty was his second of the match, was out shortly beforehand.
Trott, who made 41 in the first innings, was 50 not out.
Wicket-keeper Matt Prior got off the mark with a cover-driven boundary off fast bowler Peter Siddle but then, attempting a needlessly risky single, was run-out by Simon Katich's direct hit from cover.
Prior's exit brought in Andrew Flintoff, cheered to the wicket by a capacity crowd for what was the all-rounder's final Test innings before his injury-induced retirement from the five-day format.
The 31-year-old lofted North over mid-wicket for four, getting rid of a close-in fielder in the process.
There were three more boundaries before, on 22, Flintoff skied North to Siddle at long-on.
Stuart Broad, the first innings bowling star, got off the mark with a superbly timed four off left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson, which reinforced his credentials as Flintoff's natural successor.
He struck North for several elegant, straight driven boundaries before holing out to Ponting for a 29 featuring five fours.
England resumed Saturday on 58 for three, already a lead of 230,
They were contemplating victory after pace bowler Broad took five for 37 on Friday in reply to England's first innings 332.
Although the pitch was not the ideal batting surface usually associated with the Oval, it was no terror track and the conditions could not explain a third first innings collapse by Australia this series.
Instead Broad, well supported by off-spinner Swann (four for 38), bowled with good accuracy and control.
Strauss, England's lone century-maker this series, resumed Saturday on 32 not out with Trott unbeaten on eight.
Trott survived a huge appeal for caught behind off the day's first ball from Siddle. But Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf was unmoved and replays suggested Trott had missed the ball.
Australia, retaining the same side that won the fourth Test at Headingley by an innings and 80 runs, had chosen not to recall off-spinner Nathan Hauritz on a pitch with a reputation for taking turn.
Their decision to remain loyal to a four-man pace attack left Ponting having to call upon the services of North.
England were in danger of squandering their advantage when Trott came to the crease.
But the 28-year-old Warwickshire batsman held his nerve and a four off Michael Clarke saw him to a maiden Test fifty in 89 balls with five fours.
However, when it seemed England would get through the morning session without losing a wicket, Strauss guided North to Clarke at first slip after nearly four hours at the crease.