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Australia take key England wickets as rain stays away at Old Trafford

Australia remove Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen as rain stays away from Old Trafford.

Australia's bid to take 10 England wickets and save the Ashes series has begun well in the 90 minutes of play before lunch on day five of the third Test.

Rain was forecast for much of the day but play was only delayed by 30 minutes this morning, and there has been no interruption so far.

The overcast conditions and fifth-day pitch made for good bowling conditions and Ryan Harris removed England skipper Alastair Cook for a duck lbw.

Jonathan Trott (11) reached double figures before he clipped a leg-side Harris delivery to the gloves of Brad Haddin behind the stumps.

There were huge celebrations from the Aussies when Kevin Pietersen (8) was given out by on-field umpire Tony Hill for edging a Peter Siddle delivery.

Pietersen reviewed but the third umpire decided that, despite there being no evidence of an edge on hot spot, there was not enough evidence to overturn the decision.

That leaves Joe Root (13*) and Ian Bell (2*) at the crease with England on 35-3. Australia require seven more wickets, while England need to either bat out the day to draw or add 297 more runs to win the Test.

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Pascal Lemesre
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Australia's Ryan Harris celebrates with team mates after taking the wicket of England's Jonathan Trott during the third day of the 3rd Ashes Test on August 3, 2013
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