ENGLAND spinner Graeme Swann praised Kevin Pietersen after his final-over heroics with the ball gave the tourists renewed hope of victory after day four of the second Ashes Test against Australia in Adelaide.

Pietersen, who scored a career-best Test score of 227 to help England to 620 for five declared, struck with his occasional spin to unseat Michael Clarke for 80 after he had looked to be in for the long haul alongside Mike Hussey.

"We had to review it,’’ Swann said on Sky Sports 1.

"It wasn't given but we all knew he got an inside edge so we called for the review system and thankfully it went in our favour.

"We toiled hard in the last session and a half with very little luck.

"Sometimes you need a bit of inspiration and who else but KP to be up there telling you how to get Clarke out? He went straight in and said 'I'm an all-rounder, I'm an all-rounder' and he's still shouting it I think.’’ The fourth-wicket pair had given Australia, set 375 to make England bat again, hope of forcing a draw but the dismissal of Clarke gives the tourists added impetus heading into the final day of the match.

Australia closed on 238 for four and were left hoping that the forecast adverse weather comes to their aid tomorrow in a bid to keep the series level.

Swann earlier snared Australia opener Simon Katich and captain Ricky Ponting to leave the hosts on 98 for two.

"I was really happy with the way the ball came out,’’ he said. "Obviously when you get a couple of early wickets you think 'this is going to be my day, I could get four or five today' but it wasn't to be.

"Their best two players of spin combated me really well. Clarke was very tricky to bowl at.

"We didn't have much going for us but it all went our way in the last over.’’ Australia opener Shane Watson, who contributed 57 to his side's total, told Sky Sports: "We're going to fight until the death tomorrow. It's going to be a very tough day of Test cricket for both sides and we'll fight as long as we have to.’’ Asked if his side could save the match without the help of the weather, Watson drew a sharp breath before adding: "Let's hope so.’’ It was Watson's second half-century in the match after a 36 and an unbeaten 41 in the first Test, but he felt his knocks were not reflective of how good he felt out in the middle.

"It would be nice to really capitalise on how I'm feeling out there. I've not been able to capitalise on my starts so far so hopefully I can turn that around,’’ he said.

"I feel like I'm in a really good place and my mind is clear but it's just not working at the moment. I feel like I'm batting really well and getting to a point and then not being able to go on with it.’’ Watson backed skipper Ricky Ponting to bounce back after following up a first-innings golden duck with just nine in the second innings.

"He's going pretty well,’’ Watson said.

"It's obviously disappointing for him not to score the runs he wants to and knows he can, but he's a tough man and he'll come through.’’ Clarke took to his Twitter account soon after stumps to apologise for not walking after Cook took the catch.

He wrote: "Just want to apologise for not walking off the ground tonight when I hit the ball. I was just so disappointed, my emotions got best of me.’’