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| Live - Australia v England | Live - Australia v England |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| England's bowlers hit back hard on day two of the fourth Ashes Test to reduce Australia to 111-5 at lunch. | |
| The tourists - 3-0 down in the series - were skittled for 159 on Boxing Day but soon had a boost when Ricky Ponting mistimed a pull off Andrew Flintoff. | |
| Matthew Hoggard then bowled Mike Hussey and Steve Harmison had Michael Clarke caught behind in his first over. | |
| Opener Matthew Hayden rode his luck to make an unbeaten 52 but the morning belonged to England and their seamers. | |
| THE DAY'S ACTION (all times local to Melbourne - GMT+11) | THE DAY'S ACTION (all times local to Melbourne - GMT+11) |
| By Pranav Soneji | By Pranav Soneji |
| "Hoggard should have had Hayden out twice yesterday with two lbws. A man with one eye would have given one of them out. Matthew has bowled well this morning but he hasn't had the rub of the green." Geoffrey Boycott on TMS | |
| LUNCH | |
| 1231: Hayden picks up two runs for a well-deserved and grafted 50. He flails needlessly at a wide Mahmood delivery, which Flintoff brilliantly catches on the half-volley, one-handed, at second slip. Interesting to note Saj is picking up a bit of reverse swing at the end of that final over before lunch. 111-5 | |
| 1227: More guffaws from Boycott as Symonds takes a few for the team on the upper arm from Harmison. Maiden over. 108-5 | |
| "I'm in enough trouble already with the wife as it's our second anniversary today and I'm crouched round my laptop watching a screen that doesn't change so please keep me amused or I'll be seeing a divorce lawyer."Scott Stone, Kissemmee, Florida | "I'm in enough trouble already with the wife as it's our second anniversary today and I'm crouched round my laptop watching a screen that doesn't change so please keep me amused or I'll be seeing a divorce lawyer."Scott Stone, Kissemmee, Florida |
| 1223: Symonds smashes three runs off Mahmood through cover, while Hayden profits from a bizarre direct hit from Harmison, which flies off the stumps down to fine leg to pick up two runs.108-5 | 1223: Symonds smashes three runs off Mahmood through cover, while Hayden profits from a bizarre direct hit from Harmison, which flies off the stumps down to fine leg to pick up two runs.108-5 |
| 1218: Geoffrey Boycott is giggling his bits off watching Symonds at the crease. A massive cheer echoes around the G as Sideshow Andy gets off the mark with a tickle off his hip off Harmison. 103-5 | 1218: Geoffrey Boycott is giggling his bits off watching Symonds at the crease. A massive cheer echoes around the G as Sideshow Andy gets off the mark with a tickle off his hip off Harmison. 103-5 |
| "Perfect cure for any domestic grief when shattered from Ashes all-nighters - a seven-week old daughter. I stay up all night, sleep all day, avoid chores and festive visits to families, don't miss a ball and because I'm on hand with a nappy and a bottle, I am father, husband and all round good egg of the year! Surely reward for my genius is the current session, long live England!!"Steve, St Helens. | "Perfect cure for any domestic grief when shattered from Ashes all-nighters - a seven-week old daughter. I stay up all night, sleep all day, avoid chores and festive visits to families, don't miss a ball and because I'm on hand with a nappy and a bottle, I am father, husband and all round good egg of the year! Surely reward for my genius is the current session, long live England!!"Steve, St Helens. |
| "If he's (Symonds) a Test batsman then I'll eat my hat. My mum would be queuing up to bowl at him on this wicket." Geoffrey Boycott on TMS | |
| 1214: Not a great opening over from Saj Mahmood, who replaces the dogged Hoggy. But it just as badly played by Symonds, who looks, what's the word, clunky? 101-5 | 1214: Not a great opening over from Saj Mahmood, who replaces the dogged Hoggy. But it just as badly played by Symonds, who looks, what's the word, clunky? 101-5 |
| 1208: Hayden picks up eight runs off that Harmison over, including a tickle off the hips for four. 101-5 | 1208: Hayden picks up eight runs off that Harmison over, including a tickle off the hips for four. 101-5 |
| Email the BBC Sport website and the TMS team on TMS@bbc.co.uk | Email the BBC Sport website and the TMS team on TMS@bbc.co.uk |
| "This is really quite desperate, watching the web updates on the Beeb site. Keep the comments coming - we are out here, "listening" to your written updates!"Mike Dexter-Smith in Boston, US | "This is really quite desperate, watching the web updates on the Beeb site. Keep the comments coming - we are out here, "listening" to your written updates!"Mike Dexter-Smith in Boston, US |
| "The Barmy Army, scattered around the ground and unheard up to now, find voice as Harmison strikes with his second ball. If the MCG faithful didn't know before, they now know who the Army are, and where they come from."BBC Sport's Scott Heinrich at the MCG | "The Barmy Army, scattered around the ground and unheard up to now, find voice as Harmison strikes with his second ball. If the MCG faithful didn't know before, they now know who the Army are, and where they come from."BBC Sport's Scott Heinrich at the MCG |
| 1204: Hoggy really is a captain's dream. Unchanged since the second over this morning, but he is starting to struggle as he holds his chest and stretches his sides. But he soldiers on, inducing yet another streaky edge from Hayden, who picks up another boundary. 93-5 | 1204: Hoggy really is a captain's dream. Unchanged since the second over this morning, but he is starting to struggle as he holds his chest and stretches his sides. But he soldiers on, inducing yet another streaky edge from Hayden, who picks up another boundary. 93-5 |
| TEST MATCH SPECIAL BLOG: Read more and have your say 1159: Another good over from Harmison, the highlight of which was a similar delivery to which he dismissed Clarke, but Symonds was fortunate enough not to get a nick. A maiden. 88-5 | TEST MATCH SPECIAL BLOG: Read more and have your say 1159: Another good over from Harmison, the highlight of which was a similar delivery to which he dismissed Clarke, but Symonds was fortunate enough not to get a nick. A maiden. 88-5 |
| "I have a ticket for day four. I'm getting slightly concerned all I might see is a stadium tour." Mark Willingham, Melbourne | "I have a ticket for day four. I'm getting slightly concerned all I might see is a stadium tour." Mark Willingham, Melbourne |
| "I was going to bed at lunch, but it looks like an all-nighter now!Joe, Worcester | "I was going to bed at lunch, but it looks like an all-nighter now!Joe, Worcester |
| 1154: Chris Read is standing up to Hoggy (brave, brave man), forcing Hayden to bat within the crease. Hayden threads an uppish drive for four between two strategically placed fielders at short mid-off and short cover. Hoggy stands there with his head in his hands - he's forcing Hayden's hand. 88-5 | 1154: Chris Read is standing up to Hoggy (brave, brave man), forcing Hayden to bat within the crease. Hayden threads an uppish drive for four between two strategically placed fielders at short mid-off and short cover. Hoggy stands there with his head in his hands - he's forcing Hayden's hand. 88-5 |
| 1145: WICKET Australia 84-5 (Clarke 5) Got iiiiiiiiiiiiim! Harmison bowls an absolute ripper to Clarke, who edges a rising delivery outside off stump into the safe mitts of Chris Read. And Harmison is absolutely pumped, already touching on the early 90s on the speedgun. The Barmy Army are loving this, and by 'eck it's about time they had something to shout about. And all this happened with Andrew Flintoff off the field. Well done Straussy. Andrew Sydmonds plays out the rest of Harmison's over. | 1145: WICKET Australia 84-5 (Clarke 5) Got iiiiiiiiiiiiim! Harmison bowls an absolute ripper to Clarke, who edges a rising delivery outside off stump into the safe mitts of Chris Read. And Harmison is absolutely pumped, already touching on the early 90s on the speedgun. The Barmy Army are loving this, and by 'eck it's about time they had something to shout about. And all this happened with Andrew Flintoff off the field. Well done Straussy. Andrew Sydmonds plays out the rest of Harmison's over. |
| 1138: WICKET Australia 79-4 (Hussey 6) I have to write these Australian eulogies more often because I have just Murrayed Mr Cricket big-time. First ball after the drinks break Hoggard clean bowls the left-hander with a delivery that he plays around. Hoggard deserves that reward. Hussey's previous scores in this series: 86, 91, 61 no, 74 no, 103. | 1138: WICKET Australia 79-4 (Hussey 6) I have to write these Australian eulogies more often because I have just Murrayed Mr Cricket big-time. First ball after the drinks break Hoggard clean bowls the left-hander with a delivery that he plays around. Hoggard deserves that reward. Hussey's previous scores in this series: 86, 91, 61 no, 74 no, 103. |
| How to listen to TMS Michael Clarke, fresh from a ton in Perth, comes to the crease and immediately gets off the mark with a neat flick off his legs for two before collecting three more to take the strike for the next over, the first appearance of Steve Harmison this innings. | How to listen to TMS Michael Clarke, fresh from a ton in Perth, comes to the crease and immediately gets off the mark with a neat flick off his legs for two before collecting three more to take the strike for the next over, the first appearance of Steve Harmison this innings. |
| Intriguing stuff at the MCG with England on top in the morning session. Neither Flintoff or Hoggard have given any freebies away, ensuring the Australian batsmen have to graft for their runs. If you're logging on the first time, afford yourself a little smile. Now get rid of it because Mike "Iron Wicket" Hussey is at the crease. | Intriguing stuff at the MCG with England on top in the morning session. Neither Flintoff or Hoggard have given any freebies away, ensuring the Australian batsmen have to graft for their runs. If you're logging on the first time, afford yourself a little smile. Now get rid of it because Mike "Iron Wicket" Hussey is at the crease. |
| DRINKS | DRINKS |
| 1134: Three no-balls from Freddie stretches the over out, but nothing of note from those nine balls. Hayden guides two runs through cover. 79-3 | 1134: Three no-balls from Freddie stretches the over out, but nothing of note from those nine balls. Hayden guides two runs through cover. 79-3 |
| Email the BBC Sport website and the TMS team on TMS@bbc.co.uk | Email the BBC Sport website and the TMS team on TMS@bbc.co.uk |
| "What would happen if Monty ran someone out? In front of 60,000 people, that would be quite a moment."Former England bowler Angus Fraser on TMS | "What would happen if Monty ran someone out? In front of 60,000 people, that would be quite a moment."Former England bowler Angus Fraser on TMS |
| 1126: Hoggard has another close call with the off stump, this time with Mike Hussey shouldering arms. One has to get through soon, surely? Another maiden from Pudsey's favourite son. 74-3 | 1126: Hoggard has another close call with the off stump, this time with Mike Hussey shouldering arms. One has to get through soon, surely? Another maiden from Pudsey's favourite son. 74-3 |
| "I'm told Brian Lara was refused access to the Members' yesterday because he didn't have a pass. Afterwards, the great West Indian was spotted walking among the throng into the city, all on his lonesome."BBC Sport's Scott Heinrich at the MCG | "I'm told Brian Lara was refused access to the Members' yesterday because he didn't have a pass. Afterwards, the great West Indian was spotted walking among the throng into the city, all on his lonesome."BBC Sport's Scott Heinrich at the MCG |
| 1122: Hussey calls for a quick single, which Hayden is slow to respond to. But the Queenslander has no worries, comfortably making his ground as James Anderson's throw comes in. Anderson is on the pitch for Saj Mahmood, who I can only imagine needs to see a man about a dog, if you get my drift. 74-3 | 1122: Hussey calls for a quick single, which Hayden is slow to respond to. But the Queenslander has no worries, comfortably making his ground as James Anderson's throw comes in. Anderson is on the pitch for Saj Mahmood, who I can only imagine needs to see a man about a dog, if you get my drift. 74-3 |
| How to listen to TMS 1117: Hussey twice opens the face of his blade, guiding one dab down to third man for two and another through cover point for three, a shot that would, nine times of out of 10, race for four but the damp outfield is still keeping the boundaries down. 73-3 | How to listen to TMS 1117: Hussey twice opens the face of his blade, guiding one dab down to third man for two and another through cover point for three, a shot that would, nine times of out of 10, race for four but the damp outfield is still keeping the boundaries down. 73-3 |
| 1112: This is more like it! England are clearly up for it this morning. A streaky edge through third slip from Hayden goes for four. The next ball sees the burly left-hander return a defence to Flintoff, who hurls the ball with menace back as Hayden retreats. 68-3 | 1112: This is more like it! England are clearly up for it this morning. A streaky edge through third slip from Hayden goes for four. The next ball sees the burly left-hander return a defence to Flintoff, who hurls the ball with menace back as Hayden retreats. 68-3 |
| 1107: More quality pace bowling from Hoggard, who is giving absolutely nothing away. Yorkshiremen? Tight? 64-3 | 1107: More quality pace bowling from Hoggard, who is giving absolutely nothing away. Yorkshiremen? Tight? 64-3 |
| 1101: WICKET Australia 62-3 (Ponting 7) No need to repeatedly headbutt the keyboard (just yet) because Freddie has struck! Ponting ambitiously attempts to pull a short Flintoff delivery wide outside off-stump, but only manages to top-edge a skier to Alastair Cook, who pouches running back from short mid-wicket. Just when you think it's all on the up, in comes Mr Cricket - Mike Hussey, a man with a batting average of 86.33. | 1101: WICKET Australia 62-3 (Ponting 7) No need to repeatedly headbutt the keyboard (just yet) because Freddie has struck! Ponting ambitiously attempts to pull a short Flintoff delivery wide outside off-stump, but only manages to top-edge a skier to Alastair Cook, who pouches running back from short mid-wicket. Just when you think it's all on the up, in comes Mr Cricket - Mike Hussey, a man with a batting average of 86.33. |
| 1054: Another tight over from Hoggy, which is exactly what's needed. Strangle the runs and wait for Haydos and Punter to make a mistake. A single off that over.59-2 | 1054: Another tight over from Hoggy, which is exactly what's needed. Strangle the runs and wait for Haydos and Punter to make a mistake. A single off that over.59-2 |
| "Totally disagree with previous posts, this Aussie team is without doubt one of the greatest sides ever. Never has a team existed with so many all-time greats - Ponting, Gilchrist, Warne and McGrath would (admittedly, arguably) get in any all-time XI. What other team from the past could boasts this?" Ollie | "Totally disagree with previous posts, this Aussie team is without doubt one of the greatest sides ever. Never has a team existed with so many all-time greats - Ponting, Gilchrist, Warne and McGrath would (admittedly, arguably) get in any all-time XI. What other team from the past could boasts this?" Ollie |
| Email the BBC Sport website and the TMS team on TMS@bbc.co.uk | Email the BBC Sport website and the TMS team on TMS@bbc.co.uk |
| 1054: Umpire Aleem Dar turns down what looks like a good appeal for leg before as Ponting is trapped on the shuffle, as he is prone to do early in his innings. Freddie cannot believe it and to make matters worse Punter nurdles a single down to long leg. Earlier Hayden smashed a drive for three down the ground. 58-2 | 1054: Umpire Aleem Dar turns down what looks like a good appeal for leg before as Ponting is trapped on the shuffle, as he is prone to do early in his innings. Freddie cannot believe it and to make matters worse Punter nurdles a single down to long leg. Earlier Hayden smashed a drive for three down the ground. 58-2 |
| "My dad is saying I need sleep yet I want to listen to TMS! He said the only way to stay up is if I get an email up on the TMS text commentary, so please display this!"Mark, Kent Go on dad... | "My dad is saying I need sleep yet I want to listen to TMS! He said the only way to stay up is if I get an email up on the TMS text commentary, so please display this!"Mark, Kent Go on dad... |
| 1049: Another naggingly accurate over from Hoggard, who is getting some encouraging shape. A leg-bye from that over. 53-2 | 1049: Another naggingly accurate over from Hoggard, who is getting some encouraging shape. A leg-bye from that over. 53-2 |
| How to listen to TMS 1044: The sawdust man makes an appearance, which doesn't inspire too much confidence with Freddie's dodgy ankle. The last thing we need is the England captain kaputted by a soggy piece of turf. Two runs off that over, a quick Ponting single off a no-ball.52-2 | How to listen to TMS 1044: The sawdust man makes an appearance, which doesn't inspire too much confidence with Freddie's dodgy ankle. The last thing we need is the England captain kaputted by a soggy piece of turf. Two runs off that over, a quick Ponting single off a no-ball.52-2 |
| "Living and working in Sydney and getting hammered by our Australian colleagues. Can you put this email on the BBC page to cheer us up?"Dave and Ciaran, Hull/Sydney | "Living and working in Sydney and getting hammered by our Australian colleagues. Can you put this email on the BBC page to cheer us up?"Dave and Ciaran, Hull/Sydney |
| 1038: Good over from Matthew Hoggard. The final ball was a beauty, shaping very back into left-hander Hayden, who shouldered arms to a delivery which wasn't far from the off stump at all.50-2 | 1038: Good over from Matthew Hoggard. The final ball was a beauty, shaping very back into left-hander Hayden, who shouldered arms to a delivery which wasn't far from the off stump at all.50-2 |
| 1034: A play and miss from Ponting gets the "ooohs" from the rapidly growing MCG crowd as Flintoff finishes his over, conceding two runs - a single each for the Australian captain and Hayden, the latter of which brings up the 50. 50-2 | 1034: A play and miss from Ponting gets the "ooohs" from the rapidly growing MCG crowd as Flintoff finishes his over, conceding two runs - a single each for the Australian captain and Hayden, the latter of which brings up the 50. 50-2 |
| 1028: England march out to the middle as Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting strut, that looks like a strut to me, out to the wicket. If these two start having some fun, we could be in for a three-day Test. Andrew Flintoff will bowl the first over of the day. | 1028: England march out to the middle as Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting strut, that looks like a strut to me, out to the wicket. If these two start having some fun, we could be in for a three-day Test. Andrew Flintoff will bowl the first over of the day. |
| Email the BBC Sport website and the TMS team on TMS@bbc.co.uk | Email the BBC Sport website and the TMS team on TMS@bbc.co.uk |
| "The weather is still grey above the MCG but the forecast gives cause for optimism and we should get a full day's play. Matthew Hoggard is putting in extra in the morning warm-ups. England need him to get amongst it early on." BBC Sport's Scott Heinrich at the MCG | "The weather is still grey above the MCG but the forecast gives cause for optimism and we should get a full day's play. Matthew Hoggard is putting in extra in the morning warm-ups. England need him to get amongst it early on." BBC Sport's Scott Heinrich at the MCG |
| 1027: "If I was Andrew Flintoff, I would want to see the back of Ponting as quick as I could."Ian Chappell on TMS | 1027: "If I was Andrew Flintoff, I would want to see the back of Ponting as quick as I could."Ian Chappell on TMS |
| "I agree with Ian Chappell that this Australian team is not the greatest. In my opinion the standard of cricket has deteriorated to such an extent that this ordinary Australian team is made to look 'great'. The Australian team is the best among the current cricket playing teams, nothing more."Saumil via email | "I agree with Ian Chappell that this Australian team is not the greatest. In my opinion the standard of cricket has deteriorated to such an extent that this ordinary Australian team is made to look 'great'. The Australian team is the best among the current cricket playing teams, nothing more."Saumil via email |
| 1013: "Evening Pranav, what's the competition tonight then? Whether or not England will take another wicket today, perhaps?" Craig, Worcestershire | 1013: "Evening Pranav, what's the competition tonight then? Whether or not England will take another wicket today, perhaps?" Craig, Worcestershire |
| How about "at what time I will repeatedly headbutt my keyboard as Ponting caresses another flick off his legs for four to add to his century?" Probably not that long, I would wager. | How about "at what time I will repeatedly headbutt my keyboard as Ponting caresses another flick off his legs for four to add to his century?" Probably not that long, I would wager. |
| 1008: "I have heard comments that this is the greatest Australian team ever, which I think is rubbish."Former Australian captain Ian Chappell on TMS | 1008: "I have heard comments that this is the greatest Australian team ever, which I think is rubbish."Former Australian captain Ian Chappell on TMS |
| 1003: "Should England be forced to follow on just to get the agony out of the way?!" Mark Smith, Japan via email | 1003: "Should England be forced to follow on just to get the agony out of the way?!" Mark Smith, Japan via email |
| 0943: "England need to bowl Australia out for 150 or less. If they can't do that then a 30, 40 or 50 run lead at most. If this weather is going to stick around, then there will always be something in this pitch for the bowlers."Geoffrey Boycott on BBC TV Ashes highlights | 0943: "England need to bowl Australia out for 150 or less. If they can't do that then a 30, 40 or 50 run lead at most. If this weather is going to stick around, then there will always be something in this pitch for the bowlers."Geoffrey Boycott on BBC TV Ashes highlights |
| Email the BBC Sport website and the TMS team on TMS@bbc.co.uk | Email the BBC Sport website and the TMS team on TMS@bbc.co.uk |