Last-wicket pair James Anderson and Monty Panesar delivered a defiant unbroken partnership to secure a thrilling draw for England in the opening Ashes Test.

Dominated by Australia for the majority of the match in Cardiff, England delivered a determined display to salvage a draw just as they seemed set to subside to a comprehensive defeat.

Having slipped to 70 for five in the morning session of the final day to face the prospect of aninnings defeat, Paul Collingwood spearheaded an England fightback with a magnificent 74 spanning 343 minutes at the crease.

But with a minimum of 11.3 overs remaining and England still trailing Australia by six runs, Collingwood fell to a juggling catch to leave England’s prospects resting on Anderson and Panesar.

Neither player has much of a pedigree with a bat in their hands, although Anderson has worked hard at that aspect of his game and Panesar has been receiving coaching recently in an effort to increase his contribution as a tail-ender.

That work behind the scenes paid rich dividends for England with the pair repelling 69 deliveries and defying Australia’s best efforts for 40 minutes to provide a thrilling finish for a crowd who gave them a standing ovation at the end of every over they survived.

It was a finish every bit as gripping as those served up in 2005 and sets the stage for another exciting series just as Australia seemed set.

England had resumed the final day on 20 for two still 219 runs away from avoiding an innings defeat with Collingwood having set the stage for the task ahead by calling for each player to take responsibility to save the match.

It was a call not heeded by his team-mates in the top order with England losing three wickets for 19 runs before lunch to loose shots which appeared to have rendered the result a formality.

With men around the bat and the ball turning on a final-day wicket, it was far from comfortable for Collingwood and Andrew Flintoff. Flintoff resisted his natural instincts to play aggressively, they added 57 until the Lancashire all-rounder edged Mitchell Johnson.

Having scored an unbeaten 47 in the first innings by driving anything full, Swann’s technique against the short ball was given a thorough workout with Peter Siddle hitting him three times in one over before he fell and when Collingwood was out, England were in trouble.

But Anderson and Panesar were heroes at the end.