Australia staring at third defeat by an innings

Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 5th Test - Sydney - Day 4

My picks of the fourth day:

England are on the verge of crushing Australia by an innings for the third time and taking Ashes home for the first time in 24 years with an emphatic 3-1 series win. Australia finished the fourth day on the brink, 213-7, 151 runs behind. Earlier in the day, Matt Prior smashed in 118 off 130 deliveries helping on England to reach 644, their highest Test total Down Under. After slumping from 161-4 to 171-7, Australia had to bat out and hold through an extra half an hour as England pressed for the win on the day. But Steven Smith (24*) and Peter Siddle (17*) held through and are still standing on a 42 partnership and taking the match and series to the fifth and final day.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, England 636-9, 356 ahead at lunch: Prior is the star man of the session with his fourth test century, the fastest and record-ninth Ashes century for England, unbelievable stuff! Australia did get some wickets but have still not woken up out of this long nightmare by far!

2nd session, England 644 all out, 364 ahead, Australia 77-2, 287 behind at tea: After reaching their highest Test total ever in Australia, England got cracking with the ball too, taking out the Aussie openers before the second break of the day.

3rd session, Australia 213-7, 151 behind at the end of day four: Australia are bleeding, bleeding badly, and although they survived and take England to the last day, these wickets and wounds will prove fatal on the last day, it is just a question of time.

Partnerships: England smashed and bashed in plenty of records during the series and this match alone. On this day, they continued that trend with the help of record-centurion Prior and Tim Bresnan (35) whose partnership of 102 runs is England's highest eighth-wicket stand at the SCG, after beating the 86 by Jack Hearne and Johnny Douglas in 1911. After both record-men fell, Graeme Swann put in a fine bash too, unbeaten on 36 off 26, and last-wicket partnership of 35 runs with Chris Tremlett (12) to take England to their record total of 644. Opener Shane Watson (38) once again muddled things up for Australia, with an unnecessary, clumsy and irresponsible run out after a breakdown of communication and ending up at the same end as his partner Phillip Hughes. England's bowlers took control from there, the only partnerships of note being 65 between Usman Khawaja (21) and skipper Michael Clarke (41), who were both caught behind off James Anderson, and the 42-and-still-standing between Smith (24*) and Siddle (17*).

Bowlers: Not only did Prior star with the bat, but also with the gloves, taking four catches on the day. Anderson, Tremlett and Bresnan did a brilliant job with the ball sharing a couple of wickets each, with Swann also contributing to the Aussies' frustration and pain with some fine bowling. The swings, the bounces and the speed made the Aussies sweat. Mitchell Johnson's golden duck - bowled by Tremlett, who was on a hat-trick after seeing out Brad Haddin (30) caught behind in the previous delivery - exemplified England's brilliance and dominance and how quickly they had learnt from previous mistakes. Australia are the shadow of the side they used to be, but that cannot and shall not discredit England's quality and improvement.

Ups: England are three wickets away from thrashing Australia by an innings for the third time and taking the Ashes series by storm. It can hardly get better than that - only South Africa (2009-10 Castle Test Series drawn 1-1) and India (facing them in a four-match Test series from 21 July 2011, can't wait!) left to beat to take over the cricket world leadership!

Downs: Shame England could not end it on day four and the celebrations had to be potsponed for another day. The atmosphere today was awesome and unbeatable. The England fans will be there on the last day, no doubt whatsoever, but I still don't think they will be able to beat the cheers and chants from this day!

Hero to zero: After mentioning his lack of form yesterday, surprise, surprise, Paul Collingwood announced his retirement from Test cricket after this series. I don't think he had much of a choice. No discrediting his contributions, we will certainly miss him at slip and on the field, but with the bat, I'm sorry, as mentioned yesterday, I don't think he would have survived on the team sheet and batting lineup for much longer anyway...

Australia v England fifth Test fourth day as it happened:

Highlights taken from the BBC website:

1st session:

- Looks like it's confirmed that Colly has called it quits after 67 Tests. But he remains a key member of the one-day side (and T20 captain to boot), so it's not the last we've seen of the hard-working Durham all-rounder. Players walking out, we're nearly ready to start...

- England 489-7: Mitchell Johnson takes the first over of the day, bowling left-arm fast around the wicket (in Wasim Akram mode) - it's the bearded Prior and the burly Bresnan taking up arms for England. Prior knocks a single through the covers, and Aggers on TMS gently pulls Michael Vaughan's leg for "blubbing" in his press conference when he retired as captain in 2008.

- England 493-7: "Gentle Ben" Hilfenhaus, whose Ashes series has rather gone downhill since dismissing Strauss with the third ball of the series, begins the 143rd over as Prior tries to turn him to leg and they trot through for a leg bye, before Bresnan does the same. Prior dabs a two to third man, he's up to 57.

- DRINKS BREAK, England 525-7: The snarling Peter Siddle replaces Johnson. Prior prods a single, but his Yorkshire partner remains stout in defence - and the players have earned their first drinks break of the day. The lead is 245.

- England 547-7 - THIRD NEW BALL AVAILABLE: Leg-spinner Steve Smith, ruffled blond hair sticking up for fine weather, hops and skips in to Prior, who helps himself to three through third man. Smith - demoted to number seven but not called upon to bowl until the 102nd over yesterday - is plundered for two by Bresnan, and the third cherry is available. "Always a depressing moment for a fielding side," notes my match-report colleague Oliver Brett.

- England 567-7: Two contrasting spinners in action here, Beer keeps it tight but Prior sweeps another two before crashing a four through the covers for his fourth Test century. He leaps into the air and salutes the Barmy Army - astonishingly, it's apparently the fastest Ashes century (109 balls) by an Englishman since Botham (Old Trafford, 1981) - THAT'S A RECORD: And that's nine centuries for England - the most they've ever got in an Ashes series.

- THAT'S A RECORD - England 582-7: Smith has clearly been hit out of the attack as Cap'n Clarke takes the third new ball and hands it to Mitchell Johnson... who as we know, may bowl it just about anywhere. Bresnan belts the new cherry through the covers, cracking shot and it zips over the rope too fast for the sweeper to cut it off. A leg bye rotates the strike, this is now England's highest eighth-wicket stand at the SCG, beating the 86 by "Young Jack" Hearne and JWHT ("Johnny Won't Hit Today") Douglas in 1911. Prior swipes a four over the slips and helps himself to a two through mid-wicket, 11 from the over and the stand is now worth 97.

- England 584-7: With the new ball available, Hilfenhaus returns, and briefly halts the free-scoring eighth-wicket pair as he sends down a maiden to Bresnan. DRINKS BREAK

- WICKET, Bresnan c Clarke b Johnson 35 (England 589-8): Unbelievably, Michael Clarke has a bit of a grin on his face as Johnson begins a new over to Prior, who plays and misses with an expansive drive. But then he does connect with the same shot, and it pings sweetly off his bat for his 11th four of the innings to bring up the century stand from 168 balls. A single takes him to 116. But Bres gets an edge as he pushes forward and Clarke pouches it at second slip.

- WICKET, Prior c Haddin b Hilfenhaus 118 (England 609-9): With half an hour until lunch, Hilfenhaus digs in a bouncer and a miscued hook from Swann dribbles towards mid-wicket as they run one. But Prior's entertaining knock is ended when he tries to upper-cut and is caught behind. Or is he? What the deuce? It's another of those no-ball referrals... and as TV replays show a fraction of Hilfenhaus's foot behind the popping crease, umpire Billy Bowden sends Prior on his way.

- England 629-9: Chris Tremlett is England's last man - and not the worst number 11 they've ever fielded, having seven first-class fifties to his name. But he's the non-striker as Swann steers a two, before swatting a bouncer over fine leg and that's six! A straight drive brings the Notts spinner two more, then he whacks Johnson over mid-off for four! "This reminds me of my university days, bowling against county batsmen filling their boots," notes Vic Marks on TMS. Swann heaves a three towards cow corner, and Tremlett edges his first ball past the slips for three - that's 20 off the over. Johnson has 4-168, and this is England's second highest innings score in Australia...

- England 629-9: The highest England score in Australia is 636 in a timeless Test in Sydney in 1928, with Wally Hammond scoring 251, while wicketkeeper George Duckworth (a regular 10 or 11 at international level) made his highest Test score of 39 not out. Back in the present day, Tremlett plays out a maiden from Hilfenhaus.

- UMPIRE REVIEW: Johnson joins Smith in having been hit out of the attack after that last over went for 20. Swann swings, Siddle appeals for a catch behind, the umpire is unmoved and Australia call for a review... NOT OUT! Replays seem to show the ball flicking Swann's shirt rather than his bat, and so Swann stays his ground and Australia have lost a review.

- England 630-9: Swann swipes a single, Tremlett is cut in half by a lifter from Siddle which will give the tall seamer a little encouragement that the wicket may have a little in it for him this afternoon... England lead by 350, and we're coming up towards lunch.

- INTERVAL, LUNCH - England 636-9: Siddle to serve up probably the last over before lunch, Swann turns it off his legs for a single. Vic Marks on TMS has picked up an email in the inbox from Ben Powell which points out that "Steve Smith has seven first-class fifties, so I guess that makes Tremlett an all-rounder too!" Swann runs a leg bye, a cover-driven two by Tremlett draws England level with that 636 from Sydney in 1928, then Tremlett is struck on the shoulder by a bouncer but looks unmoved. He survives the over - and that's lunch. Swann has 33, Tremlett has seven, England lead by 356, and their fans will feel all is right with the world.

2nd session:

- THAT'S A RECORD - England 643-9: Michael Beer bowls, a Swann single brings England their highest Test score in Australia. Michael Vaughan on TMS expects Chris Tremlett to have a swing at Beer, and he's perfectly capable of clearing the ropes - but he's content to prod a single at this stage. Swann sweeps for one, then Beer tosses up a Jeremy Snape-style "moon ball" and Tremlett whacks it through extra cover for four!

- WICKET, Tremlett c Haddin b Hilfenhaus 12 (England 644 all out): Hilfenhaus to Swann, who guides a quick single past gully, then Tremlett prods forward and is caught behind. England's epic innings is ended in the 178th over - and the lead is a Len Hutton-esque 364.

- Australia 7-0: Watson hooks the first ball of the innings from James Anderson for four through mid-wicket - clearly Australia have nothing to gain by blocking, so this could be worth watching. Watson laces a cover drive for three, Hughes shoulders arms to his first ball.

- Australia 7-0: Chris Tremlett, fresh from his batting cameo, shares the new ball with Anderson, Watson drives firmly but can't beat Jonathan Trott at short extra cover. Maiden over.

- WICKET, Watson run out 38 (Australia 46-1): Swann, round the wicket to the left-handed Hughes, continues from the Randwick End - Hughes works a single off his legs, Watson turns blindly and sets off for a second run, and while Hughes hasn't moved, Watson is run out by two-thirds of the length of the pitch! Having sawn Hughes off in the first innings, and run Katich out at Adelaide, Watson is starting to get a reputation as a bad runner between the wickets. (Nasser Hussain managed to run out most of the rest of the team at various points when he was England captain). Usman Khawaja is the new batsman and defends his first two balls.

- APPEAL - NOT OUT, Australia 52-1: Big appeal from Swann as Hughes sticks his front pad out and offers no shot, you're always dicing with disaster when you do that... The opener forces a single to leg.

- WICKET, Hughes c Prior b Bresnan 13 (Australia 52-2): A great ball by Bresnan finds the edge and Prior takes a great catch in front of first slip!

- APPEAL - NOT OUT, Australia 52-2: Michael Clarke is the new batsman, averaging 19 for the series (well, at least it's more than Ricky Ponting's 16.14). Bresnan goes charging in, and stumbles over in his follow-through, then there's a big leg-before shout off the last ball of the over as Clarke is hit on the pad, but England decide against a review.

- INTERVAL, TEA - Australia 77-2: Now then, I wonder whether England might give Pietersen a bowl at some point in the final session, given that he accounted for Clarke in Adelaide with the last ball of the fourth day... It's Swann to close out the afternoon session, he sends down a maiden to Clarke and that's tea. Clarke has 19, Khawaja has four and Australia trail by 287.

3rd session:

- Australia 79-2: Chris Tremlett's first ball after tea to Khawaja is down the leg side, there's a half-hearted appeal for a catch behind but England rightly decide not to review it. Khawaja then pulls a two to deep backward square leg.

- Australia 96-2: Swann, tossing up his off-spin from around the wicket has a slip as well as helmeted men at short leg and silly point for the debutant Khawaja. He prods forward, that's a maiden over and as Boycs said on TMS earlier, bowling a string of maidens may be England's best way of building pressure to serve up a wicket - it worked for Hughes, after all...

- Australia 100-2: Clarke steers Tremlett for four through the covers, Australia are up to three figures and the home skipper removes his helmet to wipe the sweat off his head. These two have added 48 from 88 balls.

- WICKET, Khawaja c Prior b Anderson 21 (Australia 117-3): Khawaja cracks Anderson for four over mid-wicket, but then he nicks one to the keeper and Anderson goes absolutely mad in celebration!

- DRINKS BREAK, Australia 124-3: Hussey is finally off the mark as he pushes Swann for a quick single through the covers. Clarke cuts past the diving Tremlett at backward point and they run three. Hussey gets forward well to push a two through cover, and umpire Aleem Dar calls on the drinks cart. We have 16 overs remaining today.

- WICKET, Clarke c Prior b Anderson 41 (Australia 124-4): Right, Australia trail by 240 and it's eyes down for the final stretch of day four. And the drinks break has done the trick as Clarke falls prey to a lovely reverse-swinger from Jimmy A and feathers an edge to Prior behind the timbers!

- APPEAL - NOT OUT, Australia 135-4: Haddin steers a two and a single, this pair - who enjoyed a mammoth partnership in Brisbane that feels so long ago - are both on seven. A loud appeal for a catch behind, Hussey stays his ground - do England go for the review? They decide against it - and just as well, as replays appear inconclusive, and Hussey would have got the benefit of any doubt.

- DROPPED CATCH, Australia 140-4: Haddin is down the track, taking on Swann, there's a man at deep mid-on... but it's just out of the reach of the leaping Tim Bresnan and over his head for four. (A taller player may have caught it - Tremlett? Steven Finn? Will Jefferson? Mohammad Irfan, that 7ft 1in Pakistan seamer?) He then chops one into the covers, there's a really hard chance to the diving Bell at short cover - difficult, but still a chance, and he can't hold on.

- Australia 146-4: Hussey is watchful against Swann, although a short ball is punished by being pulled through square leg for four. The official close of play today is 0630 GMT, there are eight overs to be bowled after this one and they can continue until 0700 to bowl the overs if necessary - and it's not impossible that if three or four wickets fall in the next eight overs, England could claim the extra half-hour on the grounds that they had a realistic chance of finishing the match tonight.

- Australia 152-4: Steve Smith, next man in for Australia, is biting his nails on the Aussie balcony - as well he might. No sign of a nightwatchman. Haddin has quietly motored up to 19 by aggressively square-cutting Swann for three. Six overs left, and with the spinner on, we may not need much "overtime" for a change.

- WICKET, Hussey c Pietersen b Bresnan 12 (Australia 161-5): More runs for Haddin as he guides Bresnan through the covers for two before another fluent drive through the same region brings him four. A leg bye rotates the strike, this pair have added 37 - but then it's bye bye Hussey as he cuts straight to gully!

- Australia 165-5: So, five down, how many do England need to take the extra half-hour? Six? Seven? Steve Smith, who doesn't appear to be in this side as a batsman or a bowler, is the new batsman - but he's the non-striker as Swann takes a well-deserved rest after a 23-over spell, and Tremlett returns. The Surrey man immediately has Haddin fishing at thin air outside off stump. A leg bye brings young Smith on strike, he knocks his first ball to cover for a single. Haddin prods forward, sends Smith back and he would have been run out at the bowler's end if the throw had hit... Haddin pushes a two past gully, and the Aussies now trail by under 200.

- WICKET, Haddin c Prior b Tremlett 30 (Australia 171-6): Tremlett begins the antepenultimate over of the day, Haddin tries to get out of the way of a short ball, gets a nick and it steeples to Prior! Huge wicket!

- WICKET, Johnson b Tremlett (Australia 171-7): Mitchell Johnson bowled first ball as he tries to jam his bat down, Tremlett on a hat-trick!

- Australia 171-7: Peter Siddle is the new batsman, all the England supporters are on their feet and Tremlett is on a hat-trick. "If he's on the money here, it's out," says Michael Vaughan on TMS. Siddle's hit on the pad, the slips appeal... but the bowler doesn't. Dot ball. A double-wicket maiden from Tremlett, and Cap'n Strauss had a word with the umpires after Johnson's dismissal, will they claim the extra half-hour?

- Australia 176-7: Skipper Strauss chats with Ump Dar before Tremlett charges in for the last scheduled over. Siddle is doughty in defence, he plays and misses at one which seams past his outside edge. There are four slips, a gully and a short leg in for the Aussie tail-ender, who fishes at thin air to the fourth ball of the over. "That were too good for thee," I can hear Fred Trueman saying... The fifth ball trickles off an edge along the ground to gully, and Siddle flicks the last ball off his legs for four as Tremlett's radar momentarily strays. Umpires come together for a chat... and England have taken the extra half-hour. We'll have eight overs or half-an-hour, whichever is the later.

- Australia 176-7: Smith resumes defensive duties against Bresnan as Australia "try to delay the inevitable and take the game into a fifth day," says Simon Mann on TMS. Maiden over, seven overs remaining.

- Australia 181-7: Tremlett still has four slips, a gully and a short leg for Siddle, who is hit on the pad as he tries to flick the ball to leg. Roughly two-thirds of the slip cordon appeal, without much conviction. That's a nice stroke from Siddle, he drives one that jags back at him through the covers and they run three. Smith, with a slightly open stance, guides a single to mid-on. Six overs left tonight.

- Australia 181-7: The Barmy Army are in fine voice with their "Everywhere we go" song, led by "Jimmy Saville" as usual, as Siddle defends against Bresnan. He tries to force one off his legs... and it doesn't quite carry to Bell, who's fielding in a sort of shortish backward square leg position. Five overs to go.

- Australia 191-7: Tremlett - "the pride of Otterbourne" according to a recent Hampshire local newspaper report, and I'm sure his parents are watching - runs in to Smith, who hangs his bat out to steer a wideish ball for four. Tremlett oversteps for a no-ball, then Smith plays and misses at one that bounces twice in front of Prior who can't take it cleanly and they run a couple of byes. A single ensures Smith keeps the strike.

- Australia 198-7: A big roar from the England fans in the crowd as Anderson returns to the attack for a last two-over blast at the Aussie tail-enders. Smith steers a two off his legs, then slashes a four through third man - as I mentioned, the runs are largely irrelevant, it's all about whether England can whittle out these last three wickets in the next three overs or whether we'll all be back for day five.

- Australia 198-7: The Otterbourne Enforcer takes a rest and England turn to Graeme Swann, who has three predatory close fielders round the bat for Smith. You sense that England may just have run out of juice tonight - it's been a marathon day with an extended start and an extended finish - and as Swann completes a maiden, we have two overs left. England need to take two wickets in the penultimate over if they're going to win it tonight - as if a wicket falls in the last over, they'll go off immediately.

- Australia 208-7: Siddle chops Anderson for four, that's 200 up for Australia (like that matters!), before angling a two to third man. Siddle keeps out the fifth ball of the over, so we'll be back tonight. He edges the last ball over the slips for four, and we've got one more over in the day.

- CLOSE OF PLAY, Australia 213-7: Although Geoff Boycott wants England to bring on Kevin Pietersen to toss the ball up, England will conclude day four's proceedings with Graeme Swann's orthodox off-spin. With close fielders surrounding the bat, Smith punches a four through the vacant cover region - this pair have somehow put on 41! Siddle defends the last ball of the day and walks off - that's the close of play and as Aggers notes on TMS tomorrow, unless the heavens open with rain tomorrow, England should wrap up a series victory.

England thrash Australia to retain the Ashes

Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 4th Test - Melbourne - Day 4

My picks of the fourth day:

England have retained the Ashes for the first time in 24 years by thrashing Australia by an innings and 157 runs. It is their biggest win against their bitter rivals since 1956 and made Ricky Ponting the first Australian skipper in 120 years to lose the Ashes three times. Whilst he is out of the last Test and doubtful for keeping the captaincy in general, England captain Andrew Strauss is a proud man and hopeful his side can win the series emphatically by avoiding defeat in the fifth and final Test in Sydney starting on Sunday.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

Australia 258 all out, England beat Australia by an innings and 157 runs: It was only a question of when not if the Aussies would fall and England could celebrate...

Partnerships: Australia resumed batting on day four on 169-6, England needing only three wickets to tie up and finish the match and series successfully with Ryan Harris unable to bat due to injury. Mitchell Johnson (6) fell quickly bowled and beaten by Chris Tremlett's reverse swing (Australia 172-7). But Brad Haddin (55*) and Peter Siddle (40) created a bit of a fight back with a partnership of 86, postponing the inevitable by an hour-and-a-bit. But when Siddle fell, Ben Hilfenhaus (0) followed soon after and after finally getting Australia all out for 258, England were able to let the fun and celebrations begin.

Bowling: Tremlett, Graeme Swann and Tim Bresnan took a wicket each on the day making it five and six wickets in the match for the two fast bowlers respectively. Although the bowlers did a great job in the whole match, each chipping in with wickets, James Anderson also with five and Swann finding a bit of his form back with two, batsman Jonathan Trott won the man-of-the-match award and deservedly so for his unbeaten 168 score he contributed to England's staggeringly score of 513 and unreachable lead of 415.

Ups: For the first time I can remember (I was only 1 the last time this happened) England have retained the Ashes and won it Down Under! I am definitely going to buy this DVD-set, that is for sure!!!

Downs: The attendance has fallen just as drastically as and with the Aussies from 84,345 on day one, it went down to 67,149/68,773 the next couple of days and then plummeted to 19,889 on day four. And as far as I could tell, 99% of them were all part of the Barmy Army, chanting and celebrating on!

Hero to zero: It has been confirmed this morning that Aussies skipper Ricky Ponting has been ruled out of the Sydney Test due to aggravation of the fracture to the little finger of his left hand. Michael Clarke will replace him as skipper and Usman Khawaja will make his Test debut with the bat. After scoring only 113 runs in eight innings and averaging only 16.14 this series, I am not too sure whether it Ponting's injury is the only reason which excludes him from Australia's team sheet and would not be surprised if that is the last we have seen of him, as the Aussie skipper at least...

Australia v England fourth Test fourth day as it happened:

Highlights taken from the BBC website:

- WICKET, Johnson bowled Tremlett 6 (Australia 172-7): Brad Haddin is a sinewy character, with uncomplicated with a see-it-and-hit-it philosophy to batting, punching a lovely meaty straight drive past bowler Chris Tremlett towards the mid-on boundary, but Alastair Cook makes an excellent parry to cut the runs down to a single. But Mitchell Johnson's stay ends when he is cleaned up by a Chris Tremlett delivery. It's started...

- Australia 210-7: Siddle gets in on the boundary-scoring antics with an aerial thump over mid-off before adopting similar tactics with a chop over gully down to deep point off Tremlett, who wears the expression of a man who can't quite work out whether he locked the back door before flying out to Australia. Meanwhile, Sid El moves to 14 from 25 deliveries. Decent fight from this eight-wicket duo. Well played.

- DRINKS BREAK, Australia 237-7: Wonderful drift from Swann, moving away from Haddin's bat before turning sharply off the wicket, mesmeric bowling, a real pleasure to watch. Just a single to Haddin from the over and he moves on to 48. A beverage break.

- WICKET, Siddle c Pietersen b Swann 40 (Australia 258-8): Siddle goes for the big guns again and launches another huge swat high into the air, but he doesn't get enough willow to clear the ropes as Kevin Pietersen takes a smart catch just centimetres from the boundary ropes. Get your drink of choice on the go, we're almost there...

- WICKET, Hilfenhaus c Prior b Bresnan 0 (Australia 258-9): That's it - start the car! ENGLAND HAVE RETAINED THE ASHES! Hilfenhaus edges a simple catch to Matt Prior for Tim Bresnan's fourth wicket of the innings. The celebrations have begun - let the fun begin... ENGLAND BEAT AUSTRALIA BY AN INNINGS AND 157 RUNS.

England down Australia on day 1 at the MCG

Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 4th Test - Melbourne - Day 1

My picks of the first day:

Chris Tremlett and James Anderson bowled beautifully, swung and downed Australia all out for 98 with four wickets each after skipper Andrew Strauss won the important toss on day one of the fourth Test in Melbourne with the series being all square at one all. Michael Clarke was the top scorer for the Aussies with 20, whilst England openers Strauss (64*) and Alastair Cook (80*) remain unbeaten and took the guests to the end of the day on 157, 59 runs ahead.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, Australia 58-4 at lunch: After dropping two catches and losing their two reviews early on in the match, it looked like England were giving the advantage away, but they did everything else but. The hosts crumbled sad and badly, the rain saving them - FOR NOW - 5 minutes early to lunch...

2nd session, Australia 98 all out at tea: England all joy and on top after seeing Australia fall to their lowest Test score against them at the MCG. It shows how times and teams have changed, especially after the thrashing Strauss and the lads got at the Waca...

3rd session, England 157-0, 59 ahead at the end of day one: Skipper Strauss and Cook take England to the end of the day, with a lead and ten wickets spare. A dream day makes it a dream start to the fourth Test for England, making it harder than ever to imagine how Australia imagine to get out of this one without losing the match and Ashes...

Partnerships: 157 between Strauss and Cook gives England the icing on a very sweet cake on day one after hackling Australia down and all out for 98. They took their time, read the balls and pitch well, gave away nothing too quickly and nothing too flashy, making Australia's bowlers look relatively harmless and unperilous. The hosts' batting lineup and display was just the more fruitless and makes dire reading. Clarke was the top scorer for the Aussies with 20 and their top partnership of the day and match so far being 22 between Phillip Hughes and skipper Ricky Ponting. All their players were caught out, by laymen's errors on the one hand and fantastic bowling on the other, six of them landing in wicketkeeper Matt Prior's gloves.

Bowling: Tremlett and Anderson made England's day and destroyed Australia with four wickets each. Steven Finn's replacement Tim Bresnan contributed with two wickets whilst Graeme Swann was injured during the game and unneeded as it turned out anyway (after bowling only two overs, one maiden and one for just one run). Australia's bowlers' response looked just as effective as their batting, no real threat or appeal. The weather and pitch changed a lot over the day and will change continuously throughout the match. But if you want to win it, you have to be able to go with the flow and take advantage of every change, which England and their skipper Strauss did very well with every bowling change and on every other (batting) step of the way today.

Ups: Winning the toss was crucial in this match and Strauss and co made the best of it! England could not have dreamt of a better start, especially after the thrashing theyr got in the last match!

Downs: The Ashes cannot end up becoming boring can they? If Australia continue like this though, I'm afraid the result looks very obvious to me. They will get a thrashing and drubbing of a lifetime! But since when was I the one to foresee the future and get the predictions spot-on...

Hero to zero: Australia's form and confidence has been like a seesaw/rollercoaster ride this series. From middle/normal to flop to top to bottom again... What on earth will happen next?!

Australia v England fourth Test first day as it happened:

Highlights taken from the BBC website:

1st session:

- England win the toss and field first. Tim Bresnan replaces Steven Finn as captain Andrew Strauss feels the pitch will favour "swing bowling rather than hit-the-deck bowling". Aussie captain Ricky Ponting admits he wasn't completely sure what he'd have done - he's fit to play despite the finger injury he suffered in Perth.

- DROPPED CATCH, Australia 0-0: James Anderson, declared fit despite a side strain, takes the new ball to Shane Watson - and finds the edge with the fifth ball of the day... and it just about carries to Paul Collingwood at third slip, diving forward. A very difficult chance, but still a chance...

- DROPPED CATCH, Australia 15-0: Another chance is put down... Watson flashes hard, Kevin Pietersen is dealt a painful blow as he gets both hands to it at gully. They run two, and KP is still wringing his fingers. Watson cover-drives and they run three - the MCG is quite vast, and not the quickest of outfields.

- WICKET, Watson c Pietersen b Tremlett 5 (Australia 15-1): Having been dropped twice on nought, Shane Watson looks slightly surprised as he fends at a lifter from Tremlett and is caught at gully!

- APPEAL - NOT OUT, Australia 19-1: There's a bit of a breeze at the MCG - as both umpires, who began the game in shirt sleeves, have summoned their big white coats. Tremlett and wicketkeeper Prior appeal for lbw against Punter, but Hotspot shows there was a bit of bat on that - good decision Mr Dar. Neither batsman looks particularly comfortable at the moment - and a maiden over from Tremlett is applauded. (I watched his dad bowl plenty of those in my youth...)

- UMPIRE REVIEW: Hughes is in all sorts of trouble against Anderson, fending one off which nearly hits the stumps - then there's an appeal for a catch down the leg side and England do ask for a review this time... NOT OUT: Hotspot appears to show the ball brushing Hughes on the hip - and third umpire Marais Erasmus agrees, so Hughes carries on and England have lost a review. (Substitute the words "gratuitously wasted" for "lost" if you prefer). Australia 26-1.

- WICKET, Hughes c Pietersen b Bresnan 16 (Australia 37-2): Bresnan tempts Hughes with one outside off stump, the left-hander drives and is caught at gully as KP picks up his second catch of the day!

- WICKET, Ponting c Swann b Tremlett 10 (Australia 37-3): Tremlett back in the attack, and immediately he has Punter caught at second slip! Well taken with both hands by Graeme Swann diving to his left.

- UMPIRE REVIEW: The new batsman is Mike Hussey, who's been the proverbial immovable object so far in this series. (If you haven't read it, I can recommend Tom Fordyce's blog asking how you go about dismissing "Mr Cricket"). Tremlett hits the left-hander on the pad, and Strauss calls for a review... NOT OUT: Aggers on TMS is worried that there haven't been many "not out" lbw decisions overturned via the Decision Review System (DRS) this series - but this has hit him on the flap of the back pad. However, Virtual Eye shows the ball going over the stumps - and England have thrown away both their reviews after barely more than an hour's play. Australia 37-3.

- WICKET, Hussey c Prior b Anderson 8 (Australia 58-4): Anderson returns in place of Bresnan, he somehow induces an edge from Hussey, a grateful Prior takes the catch and the England fielders all go absolutely barmy!

- Steve Smith is the new batsman, nearly nicks his first ball to the keeper! A sudden rain shower then prompts the players to flee to the pavilion - with only five minutes remaining in the session, they may well take lunch immediately, but it's come too late to save Mr Cricket...
RAIN STOPS PLAY, lunch taken early, Australia 58-4.

2nd session:

- WICKET, Smith c Prior b Anderson 6 (Australia 66-5): Smith, who always looks likely to lose his wicket at any time, survives an lbw appeal from Jimmy but then perishes when he pushes forward and gets a thick edge to the keeper.

- WICKET, Clarke c Prior b Anderson 20 (Australia 77-6): Anderson keeps it tight against Clarke, there's another edge and Prior takes another catch! England really have their boot on Australia's jugular there - perfect conditions for the "Burnley Express" and he's running through them like an express train!

- WICKET, Haddin c Strauss b Bresnan 5 (Australia 77-7): Another edge, another regulation catch, this time to Cap'n Strauss at first slip, and Haddin's gone! Yes, you are reading this right - Australia are 77-7!!!

- WICKET, Johnson c Prior b Anderson 0 (Australia 77-8): Another edge to the keeper, another wicket! Johnson gone for a duck, this is becoming a procession!

- DRINKS BREAK, Australia 86-8: Harris aims a meaty pull over mid-wicket, it flies off a top edge and over the slips for four. He then looks to guide one off his hips, it flicks off his backside and sails to the boundary for four... and very harshly, umpire Dar rules that Harris didn't play a shot, so he can't have any runs (or leg byes). Swann is off the field, presumably for finger repairs after that catch attempt in the last over, so Big Tim has a rare chance to stand at second slip in the lead-up to the drinks break.

- WICKET, Siddle c Prior b Tremlett 11 (Australia 92-9): Siddle plays and misses at Tremlett, then he edges to the keeper for Tremlett's third wicket. Nine out of nine wickets caught by the keeper and slips. "An absolute rout," says Aggers on TMS.

- WICKET, Hilfenhaus c Prior b Tremlett 0 (Australia 98 all out): Hilfenhaus is playing and missing at Tremlett again, there's some ironic applause when he finally makes contact with his bat and prods one out to mid-wicket - but the number 11 perishes as an edge presents Prior with his sixth catch of the innings. He's the fourth English keeper to do that in Australia. Tea taken early.

3rd session:

- DRINKS BREAK, England 52-0: Punter shuffles his pace quartet again as Hilfenhaus replaces Harris, while TMS summariser and Aussie batting coach Justin Langer admits "a worrying trend" when questioned about Australia's problems batting against the moving ball. Gentle Ben sends down a maiden to Cook - time for drinks in this marathon final session.

- APPEAL - NOT OUT, England 58-0: Cook tries a fierce square drive at Siddle but a leap by Smith keeps the score on 57. Siddle raps Cook on the thigh pad and lets out a huge yell for lbw. Australia think about the DRS, but wicketkeeper Haddin indicates he thought it was missing for height. And they're right not to call for a review - Virtual Eye indicates it was going over. A single allows Cook to keep the strike.

- UMPIRE REVIEW: Finally the Aussies think they have a breakthrough... Cook is given out lbw to Hilfenhaus but immediately calls for a review. NOT OUT: That's very nearly (but not quite) a no-ball - but Hotspot reveals a big inside edge from Cook, and Umpire Hill is forced to overturn his own decision and make the "safe" signal. England 77-0: The reprieved Cook aims a bloodthirsty pull at Hilfenhaus, doesn't quite middle it but it flies safely off the edge and he picks up two. The "Chelmsford Chiseller" then blasts a straight-driven four, and the Barmy Army are Absolutely Loving It as he nudges a single to move level with Strauss on 34.

- DRINKS BREAK, England 90-0: A single apiece for Cook'n'Strauss take England to within eight runs of their hosts - time for another drinks break.

- COOK FIFTY - England 109-0: Johnson replaces Harris, but it's still England on song as Cook brings up his half century with a savage cut for four. Two more singles are added - and as I observed at 0457, he seems more like (runless, wicketless) Brisbane Johnson than the unplayable Johnson of Perth. Punter chews his nails with the look of a condemned man pondering what he'd like for his last meal befiore he goes to the gallows.

- STRAUSS FIFTY - England 128-0: CMJ on TMS points out that the last time a fair-haired Australian leg-spinner bowled against England at Melbourne, he took his 700th Test wicket - a certain Mr A.J. Strauss. But I think it's safe to say Steve Smith is no Shane Warne - indeed, the blond quiff above his forehead reminds me of Belgium's second most famous detective (ie Tintin, not Hercule Poirot) rather than the maestro from St Kilda. Strauss and Cook look in little danger against the young leggie - and the England skipper reaches his 23rd Test fifty during the over.

- England 151-0: Strauss brings up England's 150 by poking Smith for two through the vacant second slip area. The MCG looks less than a third full now.

- CLOSE OF PLAY, England 157-0: Steve Smith to bowl the last over of the day, and the watchful Cap'n Strauss is happy to play out the six deliveries in question. England lead by 59. What an extraordinary day.

Tremlett shines as Australia are all k.o.

Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 3rd Test - Waca, Perth - Day 1

My picks of the first day:

England took full control in familiar fashion on the first day of the third Ashes Test, bowling Australia out for 268 after winning the toss at the Waca in Perth. Stuart Broad replacement Chris Tremlett justified his selection by taking three fine and crucial wickets on the day. England's bowlers showed focus, patience and stamina wiht only three extras in the whole of Australia's innings, all leg byes. England's openers finished the day safe and dry on 29, 239 behind with 10 wickets in hand.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, Australia 65-4 after 26 overs at lunch: England in control after Australia lost the toss. Only 3 extras so far, all leg byes, shows England's focused bowling. Not at their best yet the guests, but they are still getting the breakthroughs and wickets.

2nd session, Australia 179-6 after 64 overs at tea: England keep control in the afternoon, Australia getting starts but England spoiling and ending any promising looking batting or partnership. An all too familiar picture in this series for the hosts.

3rd session, Australia 268 all out, England 29-0, 239 behind with all wickets spare at the end of day one: England's day, all day. Advantage to the guests as they take a firm grip on the third Test and the Ashes urn with it.

Partnerships:

It was an all too familiar story for Australia, starts but no control, no centurions. Mike Hussey (61), Brad Haddin (53) and Mitchell Johnson (62) all scored half centuries before a last-wicket stand of 35 between Peter Siddle (35) and Ben Hilfenhaus (13) boosted the total. Haddin shared the two top scoring partnerships of 68 and 52 with Hussey and Johnson respectively, looking the most promising but failing just the like in the end, caught behind at second slip. There were some spectacular catches and bowling, but in the end, Australia failed in many ways, not able to cope with the bowling attack and gain any control.

Bowling:

Australia were 69-5 just after lunch, which reflects what control and grip England's bowlers have on the hosts' batsmen. The lower order did save the Aussies some blushes, each and every bowler doing their part to fell them down. James Anderson was everything else but at his best but still took 3 wickets for 61 off 20 overs. Man of the day Tremlett shows similar figures with 3 wickets for 63 runs off 23 overs. Spinners Steve Finn and Graeme Swann contributed a couple of breakthroughs and wickets each for 86 and 52 respectively. Some spectacular fielding and catches grabbed all the attention and advantage too, Paul Collingwood with the catch of the day at third slip, one-handed, at full stretch, jumping to his right.


Ups: For England, everything is looking up at the moment. All advantage to the guests, on the day, in the match and series - a win would see England retain the urn, Australia losing control and options.

Downs: I may sound a bit premature and spoilt, but, if England would win this Tests, wouldn't that spoil the rest of the contest? Wouldn't it take the fire out of the last two Test matches? I don't think so, because England are growing hungrier and hungrier with every successful day - they want to thrash the Aussies badly and give the back some of their own medicine England had to suffer under all the years/decades. What do you think? Please feel free to add your comments and discuss...

Hero to zero: Sad for Shane Warne that the only thing he can make headlines these days is his love life. That just exemplifies and shows what the Australian cricket has fallen to... Tut-tut...

Australia v England second Test day one as it happened

1st session:

- So, it is 0-1 to England after two tests, three tests to go and all eyes are on the Waca in Perth.

- Australia need a win desperately and have rung in changes: The hosts have gone all pace with four fast bowlers in attack. Spinner Michael Beer is left out and new man Steve Smith and Phil Hughes replace Marcus North and Simon Katich joining recalled Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus who are in for Xavier Doherty and Doug Bollinger.

- England, with a win, can retain the Ashes before Christmas. Chris Tremlett is brought into attack replacing injured Stuart Broad, the only change to the in-form England side.

- England win the toss and Andrew Strauss chooses to have a bowl. Ricky Ponting would have gone the same way.

- James Anderson kicks the match off, Shane Watson joining Phil Hughes in a new opening parternship for Australia. Brilliant catch down the legside by the wicketkeeper Matt Prior with his left glove, given, England all cheers, Watson sends it straight to review, the ball seems to pass the bat and glove, the sound coming from the ball scraping the pocket, the decision is reversed, Australia relieved, no wickets off the first over, a maiden over for Anderson.

- Stuart Broad replacement Tremlett faces Hughes on the other end, who is off the mark with a couple off the fourth ball - and bowled with the last ball off the over! What a cracker! A short one! Australia 2-1 after 2 overs! England have their breakthrough!

- Skipper Ricky Ponting already at the crease. 4-1 after 3 overs, Watson getting another couple off Anderson.

- Ponting faces his first delivery against Tremlett, I would give a penny on his thoughts right now. He clips one through floating slip/gully, no one there for the catch, it goes for four. Kevin Pietersen curses it, and the field is changes straight away, another gully put on. Another teasing boundary on the onside, fine shot, 12-1 at the end of the 4th over.

- Watson edges the next ball up and high, Strauss gets his left hand to it up in the air but no grip around, dropped on 2, followed by a single and another boundary by Ponting, the third of the morning. Paul Collingwood takes a brilliant catch at fourth slip, stretched out and on a jump with his right hand, it would have been another definite boundary if it would have slipped through, the Aussie skipper is out for 12 off 10, Australia reeling 17-2, Michael Clarke in on number 3. 17-2 after 5 overs, one wicket each for the opening bowlers, a wicket chance every over so far, two taken.

- Watson single brings Clarke against Tremlett who goes short, 18-2 after 6 overs, run rate of 3 per over.

- Another single by Watson, Anderson a bit off the mark, wide, this morning, Clarke sending the ball through the gap between the two gullies, off the mark with a boundary. Anderson needs to go fuller. Australia 23-2 after 7.

- Tremlett goes a bit fuller, Watson smashes him for four, he's unbeaten on 9; correction: on 10 after another careful single, the first Australian into double figures today. And Prior gets his 100th catch in Test cricket (in only 38 matches), the pace and bounce, Clarke beaten by a short one, finds a thin edge and out for 4 off 10, Australia 28-3 at the end of the 8th over.

- Mike Hussey on, Watson standing through a maiden against Anderson, it stays 28-3 after 9 overs...

- ... For now as Hussey faces Tremlett... And is off the mark with a single off the last ball, Austria 29-3 after 10 overs.

- Steven Finn comes on for Anderson against Hussey and starts with a maiden, Australia 29-3 after 11 overs.

- Tremlett stays on the case against Watson, who leaves one that comes back on him and clips the next from an awkward angle and ball falls just short of short-leg. Watson in all sorts of trouble. Another maiden. Still 29-3 after 12 overs.

- Hussey slices Finn away for four through the slips. Finn switches to around the wicket, much better... 33-3 after 13 overs and the end of the first hour, drinks are on.

- A maiden for Tremlett v Watson, Australia 33-3 after 14 overs.

- 35-3 after 15 overs, Finn still finding his way.

- Anderson is back on for Tremlett, Strauss giving him a spell from the other end before lunch, just a single from it, Australia 36-3 after 16 overs.

- Watson's given out lbw against Finn, Aus 36-4, it looks stone-dead, but Watson sends it for review, the ball definitely hits the boot first but was it high or outside the line, nope, JUST half-half, in/outside the line, umpire's call stands, stone-dead he is, Watson out for 13 off 40, that was just a gamble-review, one wasted, 36-4 it is, Finn off the mark with his first wicket. Steve Smith is on. Off the mark with a single off the second ball he faces. A couple of boundaries at the end of the 17th over, Australia 45-4.

- 46-4 after 18 overs. The debate is raging whether the ball was outside the line on Watson's lbw, even the 3rd umpire is seen discussing with the other officials, I think it was 50%-50%, not enough to overturn the umpires decision.

- Australia clutching onto straws on 47-4 after 19 overs.

- And just another single off the 20th over, Australia 48-4, Hussey on 13 off 39 and Smith on 4 off 15.

- 49-4 after 21 overs, they are still discussing the lbw decision, now saying it may have just bounced before hitting the foot meaning it was in-line... It is out, final, full stop!

- Maiden over by Anderson v Smith, 49-4 after 22 overs.

- Awkward Hussey single brings up 50 for Australia. Another single is followed by a six from Hussey, everything else but confident or flashy but still the maximum boundary, followed by a four off an attempted full toss, Hussey wacking and cracking a bit against Finn now, Australia 62-4 after 23 overs.

- Tremlett back on for Anderson just before lunch v Hussey on 25. Single, Smith edge off the last ball drops well short of slip, Australia 63-4 after 24 overs.

- Not Graeme Swann but Paul Collingwood is on just before lunch, v Hussey. 65-4 after 25 overs, parternship of 29 off 53, Hussey on 28, Smith 5.

- Tremlett takes the last over before lunch and completed a maiden, Australia 65-4 after 26 overs. 26 overs, 65 runs, 4 wickets, 13 over rate, 2.5 run rate this session. England haven't even been at their best bowlingwise this morning, Anderson especially and still Australia are in tatters.

2nd session highlights:

- 69-5 Smith caught by Strauss at slip...

- 137-6 Haddin is out, caught behind and out for 63, not given at first but Prior is sure sending it straight to review without a split second deliberation, the decision is overturned, Swann gets his first of the match.

- Australia 158-6, Haddin on 46, Johnson on 11.

- Tremlett back on, single from the over, Australia 159-6.

- Johnson hits a four, the only run from the over, 163-6.

- Half century comes up for Hussey, his 7th Test fifty, Australia 171-6. 177-6 after 63 overs.

- Collingwood on just before tea. A couple of singles make it 179-6 after 64 overs and that's tea. 28 overs, 114 runs, 2 wickets, 14 over rate and 4.07 run rate in the second session of the day and match. England's day so far.

3rd session highlights:
Taken from the BBC website as I had to go to work... :-(

- 50 off 91 balls partnership, Aus 187-6, Haddin contributing 17 off 41 from his total 53 off 78, Johnson 32 off 51.

- WICKET Haddin c Swann b Anderson 53 (Aus 189-7): Play is held up by what Aggers describes as "a renegade sightscreen" (sorry, no "renegade sightscreen" graphics available), which shoots off in the wrong direction and forces several spectators to move. But then Haddin flashes at Anderson, and Swann leaps to take another great catch above his head at second slip!

- WICKET Harris b Anderson (Aus 201-8): Johnson is swinging at everything, hoicking Anderson past mid-on with an unorthodox jab for four that takes him to 41. A nudge off his legs scatters a few seagulls, while JL on TMS apologises for the lack of the usual "crystal-blue" Perth sky. Harris is finally off the mark in the series as he square-drives Anderson for three, but after Johnson rotates the strike with a single, Harris is yorked off his pads by the Burnley Express!

- DRINKS BREAK Aus 225-8: I've been impressed by the Australian lower order. They've frankly shown far more sense than the more celebrated players above them in the team. Lovely pull shot here from Siddle, two runs for him off Tremlett. "That was a beautiful shot," says an admiring Michael Vaughan.

- Aus 229-8: Tremlett finally bowls the last ball of the over. That took a while to come after an lbw appeal by Tremlett off Siddle was reviewed by England and given NOT OUT - It was slightly too high and a fraction leg-sidey, but it's taking an age to get the right sort of camera on board to save Siddle. Anyway he is saved. If it had been given out and Siddle had challenged it, he would have remained out, but this way England lose a review. That's modern cricket!

- WICKET Johnson c Anderson b Finn 62 (Australia 233-9): Great fielding off his own bowling by Finn as Johnson attacks. And now he pulls one straight to square-leg. Bye bye, Mitch.

- WICKET Hilfenhaus c Cook b Swann 13 (Aus 268 all out): Not before time, Strauss goes back to Swann, and his spinner gets the wicket that wraps up the innings. Bat-pad catch to short-leg, Hilfy hung around hoping to get lucky, but the umpire finally gives him out.

- Well that was an annoying tail-end bite, more than a sting. Tremlett was marvellous throughout, Swann and Anderson were dependable as ever, and Finn? Two vital wickets, but he went at nearly six runs an over and won't be getting an invite into the one-day squad any time soon.

- CLOSE OF PLAY Eng 29-0 (Strauss 12, Cook 17): England's openers leaving so well on length. You can do that when facing the new ball in Perth, only the Aussies chose not to. Johnson bowls a ball that's so short he almost hurls it onto his own toes, and Haddin had to jump very high to collect that. Good yorker from Johnson, but these two can play yorkers. And the last ball of the day is calmly played down the ground. England's day.