Manchester, August 15:

Australia’s last-wicket pair secured a draw in a desperately tense finish to the third Test at Old Trafford to keep the Ashes series level at 1-1. Captain Ricky Ponting hit a six-hour 156 but was dismissed with 25 balls left, leaving Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath to see Australia to safety. Ponting shared stands of 81 with Michael Clarke (39) and 76 with Shane Warne (34). Andrew Flintoff took 4-71 but could not claim the vital last wicket. After two of the most exciting Tests in history — this match following England’s two-run win at Edgbaston — the series moves to Trent Bridge And the tension was at its height as a crowd of 23,000 roared Flintoff on as he came in to bowl the penultimate over to Lee with seven fielders in the slip. Lee saw that out and punched the ground in triumph as he pushed a full toss from Harmison to the fine leg boundary to save the match.

Australia were 24-0 overnight, needing to bat out a minimum of 98 overs to salvage a draw, or score a record 423 for victory. And at times during an adrenaline-fuelled final day, all three results seemed possible. England’s bid for victory began in ideal fashion as Matthew Hoggard got his first delivery, in the second over, to seam away from Justin Langer and induce an edge behind. The momentum moved slowly in Australia’s direction as Ponting survived a difficult start to secure the first century by an Australian. With Michael Clarke in tandem with his captain, Australia could really consider the prospect of snatching a win. And Warne appeared to have helped Ponting secure the stalemate before a dramatic dismissal that second slip Andrew Strauss parried to a diving Geraint Jones. When Ponting was the ninth wicket to fall, victory for England appeared a formality despite the ticking clock, but Lee and McGrath stood firm.