Australia won by 135 runs
Northants 2nd innings

217 all out

18.01: David Wigley is caught by Siddle off Johnson for 16. McDonald 4 for 15.

18.00: Great six at six from Jack Brooks straight over Hauritz's head.

17.58: Nine overs remaining. Could Jack Brooks and David Wigley ride them out?

17.51: Trust me to say that! Hauritz took over from North at the Lynn Wilson end and trapped David Lucas caught behind by Manou. A great knock of 22 from 50 balls by Lucas.

17.47: After being stuck on 199 for what seemed like a lifetime the 200 finally comes up thanks to David Wigley. Stubborn resistance, this.

17.28: Can David Lucas and David Wigley see out the next 15 overs for a draw? It will be a tremendous achievement if they can. Lucas has 18 and Wigley has 9. Mitchell Johnson has come on at the Pavilion end.

17.09: Mike Hussey is bringing his field in now, as if for the kill. There's a silly mid-off and a forward short leg, and no-one out on the boundary.

17.03: Riki Wessels gets a hefty snick off a fast ball from Andrew McDonald and is caught behind by Graham Manou, for 33. It looks as if it won't be the weather that puts this match to an early close but a shortage of Northamptonshire batsmen!

16.58: Graham White loses his middle stump to a great delivery from McDonald.

16.55: The lights on the scoreboard shine brightly as the light fades and the clouds gather. Northants need 189 runs from 25 overs but one wonders if we will get them all in. A few spots of rain begin to fall.

16.50: David Willey puts a good-length delivery from Andy McDonald straight to the covers where Simon Katich takes the catch. Willey scored just 2 runs.

16.30: Mark Nelson caught out of his crease by quick-witted Aussie fielder Marcus North. Run out for 9.

15.50: Howgego doesn't time one quite right and lobs an easy catch to mid-off. Just short of his 50 but Ben deserves to be pleased with a fine innings. Howgego ct Hauritz b McDonald 46.

15.45: 40 overs remaining. Northants require 219 to win. They need to keep up the run-rate. We could be in for an exciting finish to this game.

15.42: Andrew McDonald comes on from the Pavilion end.

15.27: Brilliant catch down the leg-side by wicketkeeper Manou sends Alex Wakely packing for just one run. Stuart Clark was the bowler.

15.15: Nathan Hauritz comes on at the Lynn Wilson end and seems to be moving the ball a bit.

15.12: Rob White caught behind for 1. This happens just after Ben gets dropped in the slips. White ct Manou b Clark 1.

15.05: 100 up for Northants.

15.03: Niall O'Brien gets a top edge up it goes. Disappointing not to get the hundred partnership but a great innings from Niall. O'Brien ct Siddle b Watson 58.

15.00: 50 overs to go. Northants require a further 254 runs. O'Brien not out 58; Howgego not out 32.

14.43: O'Brien hits another boundary to bring up his 50. Great innings. 44 deliveries, 11 fours.

14.30: Beautiful off-drive from Ben Howgego for 4 off Johnson. Textbook shot.

14.25: Another boundary for O'Brien takes him to 35.

14.23: Niall O'Brien clips a ball from Mitchell Johnson off his legs for four to bring up the 50 partnership for Northants.

14.05: Niall O'Brien thinks he's been caught at square leg but Simon Katich sportingly points out that the ball did not carry. Niall's gratitude is expressed in the form of two smashing fours.

13.54: Northants openers Ben Howgego and Niall O'Brien have got off to a solid start. Northants need 353 to win in 71 overs.

Australia 2nd innings

270 for three dec.

12.50: Australia declare at 270 for three, 352 runs ahead. Manou 59 n.o.; Hussey 9 n.o. Lunch is taken.

12.37: Manou gets his half-century. 71 deliveries; 7 fours.

12.36: Quick running between the wickets - they run 4 - takes Manou to 49.

12.30: Great piece of fielding by David Willey at mid-off, diving for the ball, spinning and throwing all in one movement. The stumps are hit but the batsman is home ... just!

12.15: Watson gets a top edge to one from Graham White and skies it. Riki Wessels, who today has taken over behind the stumps from the injured Niall O'Brien, waits patiently for it to drop into his safe hands. Watson ct Wessels b White 50.

12.00: Lovely glance from Shane Watson to bring up his fifty. This is proving to be a very useful innings - and a very quick one. Did he really say 28 deliveries and 11 fours?

11.47: There are signs that these two - Watson and Manou - are starting to lift the scoring rate in the last few minutes. The 200 comes up, putting Australia 287 head still with 8 wickets in hand.

11.37: Two lovely strokes by Shane Watson pierce the offside field in successive deliveries from Wigley, then he plays and misses one, only to send a lovely drive through mid-on the next.

11.18: Phillip Hughes plays a good ball from David Wigley on to his stumps and is out for 68.

11.07: Catch it! Andrew McDonald lofts a high one and is caught by Mark Nelson at mid-wicket for 75. Ct Nelson b Willey.

11.00: Play begins under overcast conditions. Although there have been some black clouds around, no rain has fallen. A small but growing crowd looks forward to the final day of this epic encounter.