Australia were left needing to set a new world record if they were to win the second test against England at Lord's.

Yesterday, England were 311 for six, a lead of 521 with two days remaining, when rain forced an early close.

Whether they declared on that total overnight, as seemed likely, or batted on, it meant Australia would have to set a new world record for the highest fourth innings total to win a test, surpassing the 418 for seven made by the West Indies against Australia in Antigua in 2002-03.

Both totals were well in excess of the corresponding record for a test at Lord's, the 344 for one made by the West Indies against England in 1984.

England, bidding for a first test win over Australia at Lord's in 75 years, were indebted to a stand of 86 in 74 balls between Paul Collingwood (54) and wicket-keeper Matt Prior (60).

Their innings had stalled during the second session but Prior, who faced just 42 balls with nine fours, regained the initiative, and helped justify captain Andrew Strauss's decision not to enforce the follow-on, before he was run out by Marcus North's direct hit.