Australia kept their Ashes-saving mission alive and kicking at Old Trafford on Saturday, with Mitchell Starc rising to take three crucial England wickets.

Under ordinary circumstances, Australia would be in supreme control.

A 233-run lead at stumps on day three has secured them an almost unbeatable position.

But rarely is the difference between a win and a draw as monumental as it’s for Australia in this third Test.

At 2-0 down in the five-match series, anything other than a win will consign them to a third-straight Ashes series defeat for the first time in over half a century.

And their brave bid for victory is taking place in Manchester, a city not renowned for providing a rain-free Test match.

England will resume at 7-294 and Australia know they need to be batting at some stage during the first session on day four to keep the game moving.

Starc got rid of danger man Kevin Pietersen (113) before stumps to reignite the charge and predicts the match will move quickly from here on in.

That’s a good thing, provided Australia can ensure they remain in the driver’s seat.

“It (the wicket) is only going to turn more heading into the back end of the Test,” said Starc.

“There are few wickets to get yet but we are up for the challenge.

“Things are going to happen quickly in the third and fourth innings.”

Australia’s bowlers toiled hard under trying circumstances on a flat deck.

Starc (3-75) didn’t bowl well for much of the day, but in dismissing Alastair Cook (62) just before lunch and trapping Pietersen lbw in the final half hour of play – the left-armer made all the difference and showed a wicket-ball is never that far away.

“It’s always nice to get a big scalp and it’s always nice to get Kevin as well,” said Starc, a little tongue in cheek.

“We knew it would be a tough slog bowling.”

Ryan Harris (2-50) was also crucial, getting Australia off to a flyer by drawing an edge to slips off Jonathan Trott (5) early, then after tea getting one to nip back beautifully to rip through the stumps of Ian Bell (60), the best performed batsman of the series.

England are still 34-runs away from avoiding the follow-on, and although Australia are unlikely to enforce it anyway, they need to get Matt Prior (6 not out) and Stuart Broad (9no) cheaply.

With Australia decimated by 347 runs at Lord’s, and staring down the barrel of their worst losing streak in Test history, it was a courageous performance.

Pietersen’s brilliant innings featured 12 fours and two sixes, and Australia were left to rue a sinking moment in the 73rd over when they decided against challenging a not out lbw shout from Shane Watson.

A review would have sent England’s best batsman back to the pavilion for 62.

It was a crucial opportunity missed, but not one Australia could beat themselves up over, given how far Pietersen had ventured out of his crease.

Watson wanted the decision reviewed, but wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and captain Michael Clarke believed the ball was going down leg.

An ashen-faced Darren Lehmann raised his finger from the balcony to indicate to his players Pietersen would have been out.

Clarke thrashed his arm through the air and cursed in anger.

“You have to get on with it,” said Starc.

“You can’t rest on that and say ‘you should have done this, you should have done that’.”