England battled to keep their slim Ashes hopes smouldering at Trent Bridge yesterday, a defiant spirit personified by the remarkable Alec Stewart.
Stewart (34) finished keeping wicket, after 121.5 overs, and then savaged Australia's attack for 87 brilliant runs.
Sadly, largely because of Shane Warne, Stewart's majestic display of skill and stamina - plus the determination of Dean Headley, Devon Malcolm and Andy Caddick earlier - looks like being in vain.
Yet, after England had slid from 106 without loss to 141 for four, Graham Thorpe and Adam Hollioake fought tigerishly to take their side to 188 for four by the close in reply to Australia's 427.
Warne took 3-14 in 40 balls at one stage during a marathon 22over spell, but Thorpe - almost run out on nought - remains 30 not out to keep England dreaming.
In fact, until 5 p.m. on a entertaining but highly-competitive Ashes day, England seemed to be pulling off the miracle of getting back into a Test.
Stewart's thrilling attacking innings, fashioned from just 107 balls and including 14 fours, totally dominated the fourth century opening partnership that he and Mike Atherton have built in England's cause in recent years.
As ever, the intensely-patriotic Stewart is at his best when England's need is great - and it would be harsh to criticise him for the stroke which finally brought to an end one of the innings of the series.
Stewart had twice more lofted Warne to the long-on ropes, and had also pulled him to the boundary, when he missed an off-drive at a near half-volley. Clearly annoyed, he could not resist the temptation of another seemingly juicy offering next ball.
It was also, of course, a clever piece of bowling by Warne, who tossed it higher and wider, but Stewart walked off to a standing ovation cursing himself for his stupidity.
Australia First innings M Elliott c Stewart b Headley - 69 M Taylor b Caddick - 76 G Blewett c Stewart b B Hollioake - 50 M Waugh lbw b Caddick - 68 S Waugh b Malcolm - 75 R Ponting b Headley - 9 I Healy c A Hollioake b Malcolm - 16 S Warne c Thorpe b Malcolm - 0 P Reiffel c Thorpe b Headley - 26 J Gillespie not out
Total: (121.5 overs) 427
Fall of wickets: 1-117, 2-160, 3-225, 4-311, 5325, 6-355, 7-363, 8-386, 9-419.
Bowling: Malcolm 25-4-100-3, Headley 30.57-87-4, Caddick 30-4-102-2, B Hollioake 10-1-571, Croft 19-7-43-0, A Hollioake 7-0-24-0. England First Innings M Atherton c Healy b Warne - 27 A Stewart c Healy b Warne - 87 J Crawley c Healy b McGrath - 18 N Hussain b Warne - 2 G Thorpe not out - 30 A Hollioake not out - 15 Extras (b2 lb3 nb4) - 9
Total: 4 wkts (57 overs) 188
Fall of wickets: 1-106, 2-129, 3-135, 4-141
To Bat: B Hollioake, R Croft, D Headley, A Caddick, D Malcolm.
Bowling: McGrath 16-5-32-1, Reiffel 12-1-530, Gillespie 7-1-45-0, Warne 22-7-53-3.
