The England coach, Duncan Fletcher, was quick to defend captain Nasser Hussain after he was criticised by Australia's Justin Langer for standing his ground after Jason Gillespie had apparently caught him at mid-on off Stuart MacGill.

As at Adelaide, when Langer himself believed he had caught Michael Vaughan during his innings of 177, the matter was referred to the third umpire. Hussain was ruled in when television replays did not show whether Gillespie had controlled the ball before it hit the turf.

"It was within the rules, but in an ideal world I would like to see if a player says he's out, he's out," Langer said. "It's something we have got to look at. As it is now it takes a bit of the integrity out of the game. Jason was sure he caught him and I guess it's disappointing the decision didn't go his way."

But Fletcher insisted that Hussain was perfectly within his rights to stand, given the availability of television to prompt a firm ruling.

"It's very, very difficult," Fletcher told Sky Sports. "With those decisions you don't really know if you have caught it or not. It's very difficult to see if the ball has touched the ground.

"I think it should just be left to the third umpire. The technology is there so why not use it? It has proved he did the right thing by standing his ground."

"I think there was a lot of intensity at the back end of today's play," Fletcher added. "The batsmen were put under a lot of pressure from some quality bowling.

"Hopefully we can go into tomorrow and withstand some more. It's going to be a huge battle and hopefully we can get that 350. The first morning session is going to be important.

"It's a difficult job - there are some really good bowlers there. They don't seem to have any weakness - they have a good batting line-up and a good bowling line-up."

Langer scored a career-best 250 as Australia declared on 551 for six before taking three key England wickets before the close.

We are in a great position," said the Australian opener. "It looks like the pitch in going to spin a bit. England are in for a tough game from here on in. Hopefully we can put enough pressure on England and win the game."

Of his own innings, Langer said: "It was probably not the best I have ever hit them. I am thrilled. It was nice to capitalise and get the opportunity to get a really big score. I really wanted to take the opportunity to nail a big one.

"It gets easier because the ball gets older and it loses a bit of extra bounce and pace but you are still facing world-class bowling. You can never afford to think it's getting easier, otherwise you end up back in the changing rooms.

Langer was also thrilled by Martin Love's 62 on Test debut, adding: "He's a very classy player. I haven't seen him bat much before. He's certainly in the mould of Mark Waugh in the way he bats and I'm sure he will be delighted with the way he played."

Love, 28, has already scored two double centuries against the England touring team. He said he would like to play against England every week.

"It would be nice. I guess I'm seeing the ball pretty well against England at the moment. I've spent a fair bit of time facing their bowlers. I've certainly had a good run against them so far this year. Unfortunately you can't keep following England around all the time."

Langer was also outspoken in his criticism of England's Barmy Army, who picked up on suggestions about the legality of Brett Lee's action, which was cleared by the International Cricket Council two years ago, to shout "No Ball" every time he ran into bowl.

"I thought they were a disgrace - there's no better sight on a cricket field than Brett Lee or any fast bowler running in like that, it's a magnificent sight and if it did help fire Brett up then all the better for us," claimed Langer.

"These people stand behind a fence drinking beer with most of them 50 kilos overweight making ridiculous comments. It's easy for someone to say that from behind a fence, they're within their rights because they've paid their money, but there's still some integrity in life, I think."

Barmy Army spokesman Paul Burnham said the chants were meant as a joke.

"Watching the guys' faces while they were no-balling Lee, you could tell they were smiling," he said.

"From what I saw it was in very good humour and if they can't take a joke then shouldn't be dishing it out so readily - we've taken abuse from the moment we arrived in the country about the performances and injuries England have suffered."

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