Shane Warne claimed sledging from England fielders helped fire him to the 71 which put Australia in control of the fourth Test and closing in on a 5-0 Ashes whitewash tomorrow.
Warne, so often England's tormentor with the ball, weighed in the bat as Australia made 393 in reply to England's 291, a first innings lead of 102.
And the Hampshire captain claimed the wicket of England skipper Andrew Flintoff, stumped by Adam Gilchrist, as England were reduced to 114 for five by the close, a lead of just 12 runs.
Paul Collingwood led the England sledging when umpire Aleem Dar failed to give Warne out caught behind off Monty Panesar early in his innings but it backfired as a fired-up Warne put Australia firmly in command.
''I got out there thinking, 'let's see what happens', and a few of them decided to have a bit of a say,'' Warne admitted.
''That's fair enough. No drama. It just made me concentrate a bit more. Some days it works some days it doesn't.'' Warne admitted he had begun to dream of making a century in his final Test match before being stumped by Chris Read off Panesar.
''In the context of the game to get a 100-odd lead was pretty crucial and I was thinking, 'surely not, I can't do this' (get a century). I thought, 'keep swinging and see how we go'".
Now Warne expects Australia to finish England off tomorrow with only county colleague Kevin Pietersen remaining among the recognised batsmen.
''I would be pretty disappointed if we can't win this game tomorrow,'' he said. ''Once they are four or five down we always feel we can knock over their tail".
Warne struggled to cope with back trouble during the day's play and believes he has definitely made the right decision to quit international cricket.
''I thought R Mortis (rigor mortis) was coming into bowl. I was stiff in the back, I couldn't move, so I was happy to get one (a wicket) in the end".
Asked how he thought he would feel tomorrow if the curtain comes down on his glorious career, the 37-year-old leg spinner replied: ''I suppose I will be a little bit sad but I am excited for what the future holds.
''I can spend more time with my children and my family and I can celebrate my career. The game's been kind to me and hopefully I have entertained and put a smile on a few people's faces.
''I'll be more happy than sad, that's for sure, because the body is telling me it is time to go".
James Anderson admitted England's lower order need to follow the example of Australia's tomorrow to have any chance of avoiding an Ashes whitewash.
Anderson said: ''Everyone works at their batting, you have to now. Their tail wagged a bit and obviously ours needs to as well tomorrow.
''Hopefully Monty (Panesar) can stick around a bit and the rest of the tail have got stick around for a bit too".
Anderson, who was recalled due to injury to Matthew Hoggard, was pleased with his efforts with the ball earlier in the day.
The Lancashire seamer got the day off to a good start when he removed Mike Hussey in the second over and finished with figures of three for 98.
He said: ''Obviously with not playing the last two games, I've just been bowling in the nets and I thought it was coming out all right.
''I was a bit worried how it would come out today but I thought I did well.
''I thought I bowled well at him Hussey last night. I had the same plan this morning and it paid off".
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