Australia's mission improbable in Ashes opener

Tourists look to Bradman if they are to avoid defeat with two days to go at Cardiff

Australia will need the ‘Invincible’ spirit of Sir Don Bradman’s 'Class of 1948' if they are to triumph in the first Ashes Test at Cardiff this summer.

With the final wicket of England's second innings terminating day three, Australia need 412 to win. That would be their highest successful Test run chase, and the third largest by any team in history.

They did pull off such a feat 67 years ago, Arthur Morris and Bradman batting brilliantly at Headingley on a turning wicket on the final day to score centuries out of a total of 404 for 3. The Australians also chased down 359 against West Indies at Georgetown in 1978. Their next highest in England was at The Oval in 1972, when they made 242 for 5.

The world-record pursuit is the West Indies' 418 for 7 at Antigua in 2003, inspired by Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shiv Chanderpaul's centuries against Australia.

With the wicket becoming dusty and the weather forecast in Wales not offering the tourists huge hope, England look set to defy the bookmakers’ predictions and take the lead.

Australia will presumably not make the task of taking 10 wickets again easy. England's five-man unit all enjoyed success first time round, though, with Moeen Ali enjoying a resurgence of form and confidence with the ball after dismissing Steve Smith and Michael Clarke on Thursday.

Both players are great players of spin, however, and Australia still have batting power. David Warner was subdued in the first innings but can be destructive. Chris Rogers is in consistent form. Adam Voges is determined to make the most of this Ashes chance late in his career, while Shane Watson and Brad Haddin can be dangerous batters.

It is England's Test to lose now, with a fifth day on Sunday maybe looking redundant, but will there be further twists?