LONDON: England were seven without loss, needing a further 502 runs to reach their mammoth victory target of 509, at lunch on the fourth day of the second Ashes Test against Australia at Lord's on Sunday.

Adam Lyth was two not out and Alastair Cook, the England captain, five not out.

Australia captain Michael Clarke declared his side's second innings on 254 for two shortly before the interval.

Clarke was 32 not out and Mitchell Marsh 27 not out after David Warner (83) and Steven Smith (58) both made brisk fifties.

There was a worrying moment, however, for Australia when two overs into Sunday's play opener Chris Rogers retired on 49 after suffering a dizzy spell.

Off-spinner Moeen Ali, with two for 78 in 16 overs, was the only England bowler to take wickets in the innings.

England will now have to produce a record-breaking effort if they are to win this match.

No side have made more in the fourth innings to win a Test than the West Indies' 418 for seven against Australia at St John's in 2003.

The corresponding Lord's record is the West Indies' 344 for one against England in 1984.

England's equivalent best to win in the fourth innings of a Test was their 332 for seven against Australia at Melbourne way back in 1928/29.

But the more realistic, if still difficult, task for the current England side at Lord's is to hold out for a draw, with a minimum of 155 overs left in this match.

Only eight sides, however, have survived for more than the equivalent of 150 six-ball overs in the 138-year history of Test cricket to achieve a draw.

England lead the five-match series 1-0 after their 169-run win in the first Test in Cardiff last week.

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