In the Ashes, hosts England will resume their first innings at the overnight score of 294 for 7 against Australia, on Day 4 of the third cricket test at Manchester today. At the close of play yesterday, Stuart Broad on 9 and Matt Prior at 6 were at the crease. The highlight of the day's play was Kevin Pietersen's defiant 113, which was his 23rd test hundred. England still trail by 233 runs in the first innings, and are still 34 runs short of avoiding the follow-on.Earlier, the Aussies had declared their first innings at 527 for 7, after opting to bat first.With a 2-0 lead in the 5-match series, England require only a draw to retain the Ashes urn. Australia, however, need a victory in the Test to have any chance of regaining the urn.