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Version 6 Version 7
Aussies decline follow-on option Aussies pile on agony for England
(about 3 hours later)
Glenn McGrath took five wickets in an innings for the 29th time in Tests as England were bowled out for 157 on the third day in Brisbane. Australia turned the screw in the first Ashes Test by building a lead of 626 after Glenn McGrath took 6-50 to dismiss England for 157 in Brisbane.
He finished with 6-50 but Australia decided not to enforce the follow-on despite a 445-run first innings lead. The home side opted not to enforce the the follow-on despite England trailing by 445 on first innings.
McGrath was well supported by Stuart Clark (3-21), whose victims included Ian Bell for 50. And Justin Langer (88) and Ricky Ponting (51) shared an unbroken stand of 113 to see them to 181-1 at stumps.
With eight overs to face before tea, Australia increased their lead by 33 runs without losing a wicket. McGrath bowled superbly earlier in the day with only Ian Bell (50) offering prolonged resistance for England.
And their intention of destroying the confidence of England's bowlers was clear as Matthew Hayden hit three successive fours in one over from James Anderson, who was given the new ball ahead of Steve Harmison. He hung on grimly for almost four hours before falling to Stuart Clark, who supported McGrath well for figures of 3-21.
Australia's earlier performance in the field was typically ruthless and Ashley Giles was the only batsman, apart from Bell, to pass 20. Ashley Giles (24) was the only other England batsman to pass 20 and when he was the last man out, most people in the ground thought the follow-on decision was a formality.
McGrath and Lee bowled unchanged through the first hour of play and sent down 13 high quality overs at a combined cost of 30 runs. Not so Ponting, who was clearly intent grinding England into the turf.
The cracks in the pitch helped them find extra movement and both Bell and Kevin Pietersen were beaten outside off stump on a number of occasions as they pushed forward defensively. Initially, it looked like Australia were in a hurry to put the tourists in again before the close as Hayden smashed three successive balls from Jimmy Anderson to the boundary.
Pietersen eventually lost patience and tried to pull a rapid delivery from Lee, but misjudged the length and sent a top edge climbing high over mid-on. But the big left-hander gave his wicket away on 38 when he attempted a risky second run to Anderson at fine leg and was beaten by his throw to keeper Geraint Jones.
Clark had plenty of time to run back for the catch but did not look confident as he glanced over his shoulder and the ball only brushed his fingertips as it came to earth. After that the game meandered along, prompting many spectators to head home early, as Langer coasted to his second half century of the match and Ponting knocked off a couple of personal milestones - 1,000 runs in the calendar year and 9,000 in Test cricket.
Australia's frustration soon turned to celebration as McGrath angled a ball into Pietersen's pads and umpire Billy Bowden raised the finger. England's attack looked toothless but at least Steve Harmison's radar was more reliable than in the first innings, although he had to wait until the 13th over of the innings to be handed the ball.
Pietersen did himself no favours by shouldering arms but TV replays suggested he was unlucky with the ball apparently going on to miss off-stump. Australia produced a typically ruthless performance in the field earlier in the day after McGrath and Brett Lee set the tone by bowling unchanged through the first hour and conceding only 30 runs from 13 high quality overs.
Pietersen was dropped by Stuart Clark at long-on when he top edged an attempted pull but McGrath's frustration soon turned to celebration when he won an lbw decision to send him on his way for 16.
Flintoff looks back to see Adam Gilchrist take the catchFlintoff looks back to see Adam Gilchrist take the catch
Flintoff poked uncertainly at his first ball without making contact, but there was no doubt about the edge from the third he faced which gave Adam Gilchrist a straightforward catch behind the stumps. The England batsman did himself no favours by shouldering arms but TV replays suggested he was unlucky with the ball apparently going on to miss off-stump.
Flintoff poked uncertainly at his first ball without making contact, but there was no doubt about the edge from the third he faced which gave Adam Gilchrist a straightforward catch behind the stumps and Brett Lee his only wicket.
There was a moment of hilarity for some members of the crowd as a sweep from Geraint Jones felled umpire Bowden at square leg, striking him on the hip as he tried to turn his back on the ball.There was a moment of hilarity for some members of the crowd as a sweep from Geraint Jones felled umpire Bowden at square leg, striking him on the hip as he tried to turn his back on the ball.
England were 118-5 at lunch but were soon in the mire again as McGrath pinned Jones (19) on the back foot and won another lbw decision.England were 118-5 at lunch but were soon in the mire again as McGrath pinned Jones (19) on the back foot and won another lbw decision.
Bell finally reached his half century off 155 balls with a nudged single but then sliced the first delivery of a new spell from Clark to Ricky Ponting at slip. Bell reached his half century off 155 balls with a nudged single but then sliced the first delivery of a new spell from Clark to Ponting at slip.
Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison were both caught behind without troubling the scorer and England's innings came to an end when Giles, on 24, skied McGrath to Hayden at gully. Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison were both caught behind without troubling the scorer and England's innings came to an end when Giles skied McGrath to Hayden at gully.