ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss turned down the chance to make Australia follow-on as the home side remained on track for its first Ashes win at Lord's in 75 years.
Strauss (24no) and Alastair Cook (32no) backed up their record opening stand of 196 in the first innings by guiding England to 0-57 in its second innings at lunch on day three, for a lead of 267.
Graham Onions (3-41) earlier wrapped up Australia's first innings for 215 as Nathan Hauritz (24) and Peter Siddle (35) added a useful 59 runs to the side's overnight total of 8-156.
But Mitchell Johnson maintained his meltdown with the ball, being pulled out of the attack after his first three wayward overs went for 17 runs.
In some rare good news for Australia, Hauritz was able to bowl a couple of overs before the interval after having dislocated the middle finger on his bowling hand on the opening day.
For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times