England batted through day three of the final Ashes Test, with a hundred from debutant Jonathan Trott the highlight, before declaring one hour before the scheduled close of play on 373 - a lead of 545 for Australia to chase down.

Though captain Andrew Strauss fell for 75 just before lunch, caught at slip by Michael Clarke from the bowling of Marcus North, he and Trott had looked comfortable for most of the morning, with the Australia quicks failing to muster any kind of threat.

Peter Siddle had appealed for a caught-behind decision with the first ball of the day, but umpire Asad Rauf correctly pointed out that the noise as the ball flew past was not from contact with the bat but from Trott's back leg.

England went in for lunch at a calm 157 for four, and as if that was not enough, Australia captain Ricky Ponting was bleeding from a mouth wound incurred by fielding at silly point.

Ponting's team recovered at the start of the afternoon, removing Matt Prior with a risky run-out. Andrew Flintoff raced to 22 from 18 balls in his final Test innings, but was caught attempting another immense shot. Stuart Broad too added some quick runs from few deliveries, and as Trott made slow progress towards the century marker, it was Graeme Swann alternating the strike with him.

Swann's powerful innings was brought to an end as he top-edged to the wicketkeeper, and James Anderson took on the responsibility of shepherding Trott to his maiden Test century.

Simon Katich and Shane Watson began Australia's response, cruising to 80 for no loss in 20 overs.