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Live - Australia v England Live - Australia v England
(10 minutes later)
England were rewarded for some good bowling early on when Australia captain Ricky Ponting fell after 30 minutes of day two of the fourth Ashes Test.England were rewarded for some good bowling early on when Australia captain Ricky Ponting fell after 30 minutes of day two of the fourth Ashes Test.
Ponting mistimed a pull to mid-wicket to hand opposite number Andrew Flintoff his third wicket and make it 61-3.Ponting mistimed a pull to mid-wicket to hand opposite number Andrew Flintoff his third wicket and make it 61-3.
It was just the boost the tourists - already 3-0 down in the series - needed after making only 159 on Boxing Day.It was just the boost the tourists - already 3-0 down in the series - needed after making only 159 on Boxing Day.
With the cloud cover clearing to make batting easier, they had to make major inroads into the Australian batting.With the cloud cover clearing to make batting easier, they had to make major inroads into the Australian batting.
THE DAY'S ACTION (all times local to Melbourne - GMT+11)THE DAY'S ACTION (all times local to Melbourne - GMT+11)
By Pranav SonejiBy Pranav Soneji
Intruiging stuff at the MCG with England on top in the morning session. Niether 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 "try and get me out if you can" Hussey is at the crease.
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
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"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. 74-31126: 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. 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
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 class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/tms/6104978.stm">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. 68-31112: 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? 64-31107: 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.59-21054: 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
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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. 58-21054: 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. 53-21049: Another naggingly accurate over from Hoggard, who is getting some encouraging shape. A leg-bye from that over. 53-2
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 class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/tms/6104978.stm">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.50-21038: 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. 50-21034: 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.
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"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 TMS1027: "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, Worcestershire1013: "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 TMS1008: "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 email1003: "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 highlights0943: "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.ukEmail the BBC Sport website and the TMS team on TMS@bbc.co.uk