Losing it: Ricky Ponting argues with Aleem Dar in Melbourne
Session one: England 226/2. (Lead by 128).
Resuming on 157 without loss, England lose opener Alastair Cook inside the first half hour when he edges a good Peter Siddle ball to Shane Watson at first slip. He had made 82 and England had added just two runs to their overnight total before that loss. They still lead by 59. Andrew Strauss is the next to go for 69, Siddle again the wicket-taker as England’s captain is caught by a ball which rears up at him and is caught spectacularly by Mike Hussey. Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen join forces at the crease and take England through to lunch.
Verdict: Drawn.
Session two: England 304/5. (Lead by 206)
Pietersen and Trott are going along nicely when all hell breaks loose. Brad Haddin claims Pietersen edged a Ryan Harris delivery to him. Hotspot shows nothing and after losing a referral Ricky Ponting harangues umpire Aleem Dar for several minutes. It’s the sign of a man losing his grip on not only his job but possibly his mind as the Ashes slip away yet again from Australia’s captain. Pietersen is then trapped lbw by Siddle to leave England 262 for three, a lead of 164. Trott survives a run-out decision after it goes upstairs to the third umpire. The Aussie players were celebrating after Hilfenhaus clipped off the bails –making a point of running over to Ponting, who threw the ball in. That the decision goes against them sums ups Australia’s desperate situation. Paul Collingwood, though, doesn’t last long to extend his barren run with the bat, skying Mitchell Johnson to Peter Siddle in the deep for just eight. Johnson picks up his second wicket in almost identical fashion when Ian Bell departs for just one after hooking to Siddle. Johnson is then denied another wicket when Matt Prior edges to Brad Haddin but a clear no-ball shows up on appeal and England’s wicketkeeper gets a life.
Verdict: Drawn.
Session three: England 444/5. (lead by 346).
Trott gets his century to cap a fine performance by the South African-born player. His 211-ball innings is an object lesson in patience as alongside Prior, England take the game further away from the Baggy Greens who are now being hit by a barrage of chants from the vocal Barmy Army. They include “Are you Scotland in disguise?” “You’re getting sacked in the morning,” to Ricky Ponting and “He bowls it left, he bowls it right but Mitchell’s Johnson’s bowling is s****”. It’s merciless but Trott and Prior continue to pile the runs on, passing the century mark for their partnership. Prior reaches his half-century too in 82 balls. At close they have broken Australia’s spirit.
Verdict: England.
Test in a tweet: ‘Australia battle hard but the damage was done on day one. England can sense this is the time to make history and retain the urn.’
Facebook friend: Jonathan Trott.
Another big Ashes innings from this guy. He took some pain too when he was struck on the knee but the ice-cool South African-born batsman again proved his worth to this England side. Australia must be sick of the sight of him.
Unfriend:Ricky Ponting.
Oh Punter, where has it all gone wrong? Your team are being walloped but there’s no need to lower yourself to the level of the gutter like you did today. Ponting’s berating of umpire Aleem Dar after technology proved him correct to give Kevin Pietersen not out was plain wrong. In fact it was a disgrace. ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning,’ sang the Barmy Army afterwards. He may well be getting sacked fairly soon but Australia’s captain should show a bit more class. Go out with dignity Ricky, today you looked like Graham Taylor when the former England boss lost it – ‘Do I not like that” - when his team were losing to Holland in a World Cup '94 qualifier.
Injury of the day: Jonathan Trott went down like a sniper had shot him when a Ben Hilfenhaus delivery hit him on the inside of the knee just behind his pad. A bit of treatment and some painkillers saw him continue.
Quote of the day: ‘If he’d been a horse they’d have shot him,’ an unsympathetic Geoff Boycott on Trott’s knock.
Chant of the day:‘He’s got more runs than you,’ Barmy Army to the Aussie team after Trott reaches his century.
Canteen of the day:The lunches at the MCG are being served deep down in the bowels of the stadium – in one of the dressing-rooms which is not being used. As a setting it’s odd, as you tuck into your food surrounded by lockers.
Number of the day: 67,149. The crowd on day two at the ’G, almost 30,000 down on it’s full capacity. It led to a muted atmosphere despite the numbers in the cavernous ground. That was until Ponting’s rant brought the Barmy Army to life.
Download of the day: England’s Irie by Black Grape.