England heading for massive defeat

BRISBANE, Nov 26 (Reuters) England were struggling to avoid a massive defeat in the first Ashes test against Australia after losing two quick wickets before lunch today.

Set a near-impossible 648 to win after Australia declared their second innings on 202 for one, England slumped to 43 for two on day four at the Gabba.

The touring side face the real prospect of a humiliating loss at the start of their bid to defend the Ashes they won back last year for the first time since 1989.

Opener Andrew Strauss threw his wicket away on 11 with the total on 29 when he pulled Stuart Clark straight to substitute fielder Ryan Broad at fine leg, mirroring his reckless dismissal in the first innings.

Ian Bell, who batted almost four hours for a half-century in England's dismal first-innings total of 157, departed for a duck with the total on 36 when Shane Warne trapped him lbw.

Warne failed to take a wicket in England's first innings as the pace bowlers cleaned up but he should cause plenty of problems in the second innings with the cracks starting to open up on the Gabba pitch.

Alastair Cook kept his cool and survived a few nervous moments to reach lunch unbeaten on 25 with Paul Collingwood on three after being dropped by Damien Martyn at short extra cover.

Australia ended their second innings 23 minutes after the start of play when Justin Langer completed his century with a single off Steve Harmison.

Langer had resumed unbeaten on 88 and wasted little time chalking up his 23rd test hundred and fifth against England, finishing 100 not out off 147 balls.

Langer shared an unbroken partnership of 113 with his captain Ricky Ponting who made 60 not out after his 196 in Australia's first-innings total of 602 for nine declared.

Ponting, who decided not to enforce the follow-on after his team led by 445 on first innings, was troubled by lower back pain and did not return to the field when England batted.

REUTERS DH PM0818