Simon Jones provided a five-star bowling display to put England on course for victory in the fourth Test and then became the central figure as Australia's frustration boiled over into an row over substitute fielders.

The Glamorgan seamer claimed his second fifth-wicket haul of the series as England became the first side in 17 years to force Australia to follow on after they collapsed to a lowly 218 to trail by 259 runs.

But it was his absence from the field for a large part of their second innings which prompted a major flare-up between Ricky Ponting, umpire Aleem Dar and the England players which could result in the Australian captain facing sanctions from ICC match referee Ranjan Madugalle.

Ponting reacted angrily after being run out by substitute Gary Pratt of Durham, one of the most highly-rated fielders on the county circuit, swooping from cover to throw the stumps down as Australia slumped to 222 for four by the close of the third day, still trailing by 37 runs.

The Australian captain seemed to be angry Pratt was on the field at all and pointed towards the England dressing room to challenge the absence of Jones, who was receiving treatment for a right ankle injury which led to him going to hospital for a scan.

The incident clearly rattled Ponting, who would have been further irritated by the arrival of England fielding coach Trevor Penney - regarded as one the finest cover points in the game during an illustrious career with Warwickshire - on the field later on as a brief substitute for Steve Harmison.

It rattled Ponting enough to issue a statement, perhaps aimed at avoiding potential punishment from Madugalle, saying: "I was very disappointed with my dismissal given it was at a crucial stage of the game and I had worked very hard to get to that position.

"I no doubt let myself down with my reaction and for that I apologise to those who see me as a role model.

"My frustration at getting out was compounded by the fact I was run out by a substitute fielder - an issue that has concerned us from the start this series and one that we raised prior to the series."

It also underlined the growing signs of frustration boiling up in Ponting as he prepares for the possibility he could become the first Australian captain since Allan Border in 1986-87 to lose an Ashes series.

Australia had resumed on a perilous 99 for five hoping they had enough resolve and determination to at least score the 179 further runs to avoid following on for the first time since facing Pakistan at Karachi in September 1988.

Instead of attempting to diffuse the momentum built up by England the previous day, Australia went on the offensive with Adam Gilchrist and Simon Katich combining in an aggressive 58-run partnership off as many balls.

The pair launched into Matthew Hoggard in particular, who conceded 38 runs in just four overs, and appeared set to propel Australia past the follow-on target in spectacular style until England captain Michael Vaughan introduced Jones into the attack in the 10th over of the day.

Jones' introduction brought instant rewards and he claimed a wicket with his second ball and third balls to prompt an Australian collapse of five wickets in only 65 deliveries. The Glamorgan bowler finished with five for 44.

Katich had been more circumspect in his shot selection than Gilchrist, but was beaten by Jones' swing and drove straight to gully. Shane Warne, who has been a major irritant to England with the bat as well as the ball this series, followed with the next delivery after giving a leading edge to extra cover.

Michael Kasprowicz's stumps were also cleaned up and but for an entertaining slog from Brett Lee, who hit 47 off 44 balls including three sixes and five fours, Australia would not even have passed 200.

Humiliated by following on, Australia provided a far greater resistance second time around and enjoyed a 50-run opening stand until all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was called into the attack in the 14th over and once again provoked an instant response with opener Matthew Hayden driving straight to gully from his fourth ball.

With Jones restricted to only four overs before retreating to the dressing room for treatment, Vaughan's options were more limited and they struggled to make the inroads as quickly as they had done in the first innings.

Unable to swing the ball as they had done the previous day, England had to rely on left-arm spinner Ashley Giles to end a threatening 79-run stand between Ponting and Justin Langer which had promised to wipe out their deficit altogether.

Just as they threatened to dominate England's attack for the first time in the match Langer pushed forward defensively to Giles and was caught off the glove by Ian Bell at short leg.

But it was the re-introduction of Flintoff from the Radcliffe Road End which sparked the big controversy with Damien Martyn pushing to cover for a quick single and Ponting unable to make his ground before Pratt threw down the stumps.

Ponting had battled for over two hours for his 48 runs and was clearly unhappy with his dismissal, a setback which was compounded by Martyn's ill-timed prod outside off-stump to Flintoff which he edged behind two overs later.

Australia's only consolation was another reprieve gifted to them by England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones, who missed a stumping of Michael Clarke off Giles just four overs before the close.