Wickets hurt England bid

England's daunting task of halting their slide towards a comprehensive defeat in the fourth Ashes Test was undermined by the loss of two wickets inside the first hour at Headingley.

Resuming the third morning trailing by an imposing 261 runs on 82 for five, England knew they needed a solid start if they were to interrupt Australia's relentless progress towards the victory that would bring them level in the npower series.

But instead of frustrating Australia's push for victory, England lost two early wickets and slumped to 150 for seven - still trailing by 193 runs - with all their specialist batsman now back in the dressing room.

Night-watchman James Anderson got off the mark with a slash through point for four off the second ball of the day from Ben Hilfenhaus to continue his run of 54 consecutive innings without suffering a Test duck.

It was his last act of defiance, however, with Anderson edging the next ball to the safe hands of Ricky Ponting at second slip to accelerate England's demise.

Wicketkeeper Matt Prior, unbeaten on four overnight, was England's last hope of mounting an unlikely fightback as their last recognised batsmen.

Playing his naturally aggressive game, Prior added 34 with new batsman Stuart Broad and at least prevented England suffering their worst ever home Test defeat, which currently stands at an innings and 226 runs against West Indies at Lord's in 1973.

Having progressed to 22, however, Prior pushed at a Hilfenhaus outswinger and edged behind for wicketkeeper Brad Haddin to take a brilliant one-handed catch low to his right.

Left-arm seamer Mitchell Johnson almost secured Australia's third wicket of the morning three overs later when Broad gave a leading edge to mid-on but the ball flew just over Peter Siddle at full stretch.

New batsman Graeme Swann was also given a reprieve in the next over when he got an inside edge off Hilfenhaus, which narrowly missed the top of the stumps and flew to fine leg for four.