Broad a thorn in Australia's side

MANCHESTER: Stuart Broad complicated Australia's bid for victory in the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford with both bat and ball as England avoided the follow-on on Sunday's fourth day.

First Broad made a fluent 32 as he shared an eighth wicket stand of 58 with Matt Prior (30) that ensured Australia would have to bat again in a match the tourists had to win to stand any chance of regaining the Ashes.

The pair then combined to remove Australia opener Chris Rogers for just 12 when fast-medium bowler Broad took the left-hander's outside edge and wicketkeeper Prior, diving in front of first slip, held a good catch.

At lunch, Australia were 24 for one in their second innings, a lead of 183 runs after they'd dismissed England for 368.

David Warner a noted one-day opener sent in at the top of the innings instead of all-rounder Shane Watson in a bid to score quick runs after missing the first two Tests of this series after being banned for his bar-room attack on England's Joe Root in June, was 12 not out. Usman Khawaja was nought not out.

Australia captain Michael Clarke, who made 187 in his side's first innings 527 for seven declared, faced a tricky dilemma.

England resumed on 294 for seven after Kevin Pietersen's impressive 113 on Saturday and needing 34 more runs to make Australia bat again with Prior six not out and Broad nine not out.

Broad and Prior both batted well to ensure England avoided the follow-on.

But Broad’s enterprising innings ended when he edged Lyon to Haddin, having scored all but four of his runs in boundaries.

Prior was last man out when he top edged a pull off Peter Siddle to Warner at point to give the paceman figures of four for 63 in 29.3 overs. (AFP)