Session one: England 277/5.
Resuming their first innings on 167 for three, England lost nightwatchman Jimmy Anderson early for seven after he was clean bowled by Peter Siddle. That brought the out-of-form Paul Collingwood to the crease and while he settles down to reach double figures, Alastair Cook continues his phenomenal form by bringing up his third century of the series. He was reprieved on 99 when Phil Hughes claimed a catch off Michael Beer despite replays showing the ball clearly bounced and the umpires were right to refer to the video. But Collingwood’s woeful run continues when he falls for just 13, trying to slog Beer and only ending up being caught in the deep by Hilfenhaus. But Ian Bell and Cook see England through to lunch in a strong position.
Verdict: England.
Session two: England 378/5.
Cook and Bell go along serenely after the interval, with England’s vice-captain moving past 150 and his partner secures his fourth half-century of the series as the tourists move past Australia’s first-innings total and build a healthy lead. There are few, if any, scares for either batsman. Such is Australia’s desperation, Michael Clarke brings Mike Hussey into the attack shortly before tea but Mr Cricket’s medium pacers can’t dislodge either batsman and England head into the break 98 runs ahead.
Verdict: England.
Session three: England 488/7.
Cook’s marathon innings comes to an end when he prods Shane Watson to Hussey at gully. He has scored 189 runs and during the series he has batted for a total of 36 hours and 11 minutes. The result is 766 runs second in the all-time list for any Englishman behind Wally Hammond, who struck 905 during the 1928/29 Ashes series. Bell then survives by the skin of his teeth when on 67, he edges Watson to Brad Haddin but after belatedly reviewing the decision – which suggested he knew he hit it – he survives because Hotspot doesn’t show anything and Aleem Dar feels he cannot go with his original decision. Snicko, not being used by the third umpire, shows a tiny nick but Bell gets away with it. He then goes on to claim his first Ashes century in 31 attempts before Johnson snares him for 115 as he is caught by Clarke. With Matt Prior also passing 50, England are in complete control before bad light ends play prematurely.
Verdict: England.
Test in a tweet: ‘England’s batsmen bludgeon Australia’s attack into submission as they take control of the Test. There’s runs galore for Cook and Bell but plenty of controversy too.’
Facebook friend: Alastair Cook.
What can you say about this guy? He’s Metro’s columnist, likes helping out on his in-laws’ farm during the lambing season and, oh yes, he’s scored a shedload of runs this winter. His third hundred of the series was impressive enough but the records he has broken are too numerous to list. All you need to know is, other than the great Wally Hammond, nobody has scored more runs in an Ashes series than Cook. Awesome.
Unfriend: Phil Hughes.
It was bad enough that Alastair Cook was on 99. Then to make things worse the ball which came off his bat clearly bounced before being clutched in Hughes’ right hand at short leg. That the Aussie opener claimed the catch was beyond belief. An honourable mention must also go to Ian Bell, who successfully reviewed a caught behind decision even though he looked as guilty as sin when he referred it and Snicko later showed an edge.
Celeb spot of the day: Okay, nobody in the UK probably knows who Julia Gillard is but to people over here she’s a big deal – Prime Minister. She popped in to chat to TV and radio about breast cancer on Jane McGrath day and also flood relief for Queensland. Gillard has Welsh parents but she is as Aussie as you can get. In fact, she sounds like she could be a character in Kath and Kim.
Heart warming moment of the day: The majority of the 43,000 crowd at the SCG sporting pink on Jane McGrath Day. The wife of former Aussie fast bowler Glenn died from breast cancer three years ago and men, women and children of all ages wore pink to help raise funds for the McGrath Foundation breast cancer charity.
Download of the day: Pink by Aerosmith.