Trott's debut Test ton sets up Ashes victory

JONATHAN Trott became the 18th England batsman to hit a century on Test debut, scoring 119 yesterday to help set Australia a world-record 546 runs to win the deciding fifth Ashes Test and the series.

Australia, replying to England's second innings 373 for nine declared, made an assured start, reaching 80 without loss in the 20 overs before stumps and leaving a further 466 needed for an unlikely victory in the final two days.

Openers Simon Katich, 42 not out, and Shane Watson, on 31, showed the dry pitch, puffing with dust, can still produce runs. Only six wickets fell in the day, compared with 15 on Friday.

The Cape Town-born Trott, run out for 41 in the first innings, came in at 39 for three in the evening session on Friday and went on to put England on the verge of regaining the Ashes.

He batted for 5hr 33min and hit 12 fours to even upstage Andrew Flintoff in his final Test innings.

Graeme Swann cracked a Test-best 63 from 55 balls. Trott faced 193 deliveries in an innings that was more calm and measured than spectacular.

England need to win to regain the Ashes after Australia levelled the series at 1-1 with an innings win in the fourth Test.

Australia's prospects of holding out for a draw seem unlikely with the pitch encouraging sharp spin, but off-spinner Swann was wicketless yesterday in his five overs.

The highest fourth-innings total to win a Test at The Oval is 263 for nine by England against Australia 107 years ago, so the tourists will have to break the record if they are to keep the Ashes. The world-record chase anywhere is 418.

Australia's most threatening bowler was part-time off-spinner Marcus North, who finished with a Test-best four for 98.

The day began with instant drama when Trott survived a confident appeal on the first ball, from Peter Siddle.

A clear noise was heard as the ball passed the bat, but umpire Asad Rauf correctly adjudged the ball flicked his back leg, not the bat.

Trott, the first England player to hit a Test century on debut since teammate Matt Prior managed it at Lord's in 2007, was hit on the helmet by a Siddle bouncer when on 57, but it did not shake his composure.

His only other tense moment was on 96 when a ricochet off bat and pad rolled past his stumps.

Trott, 28, who moved to England in 2003, raised his 100 with a four past square leg, before kissing the three lions on his helmet. He then loosened up with two straight fours off Stuart Clark.

He was the last man out when cutting Clark to North at backward point.

Trott earlier added 118 with skipper Andrew Strauss for the fourth wicket, before Strauss was caught at slip off North five minutes before lunch for 75.