fourth test, day two

0826: With another Aussie victory now looking a racing certainty, the big news in Melbourne is the controversial leaked document detailing England's private plans. Much beard-stroking sucking of air through teeth has greeted the news that the tourists' inner sanctum has been breached but, in all honesty, is the release of a document that contains top-secret nuggets like "target Gilchrist around the wicket" really that embarrassing? Especially as just about every Australian wicket that fell today did so in the style predicted. England have shown a mastery of the dark arts of political spin on this tour (announcing the distressing decision to call up Paul Nixon on the day Warne retired was a masterstroke) so perhaps this is an England play to distract attention from another woeful day in the field... DT

0416: Fun while it lasted, wasn't it? What will frustrate England is the fact that the two least likely members of Australia's top six have taken the game decisively away from England.

Andrew Symonds looked like getting out to each of his first 20 deliveries, but has come through it while Hayden has been at his bullying best.

Friend of the Aussies Koertzen was up to his old tricks in that session again, however, producing arguably his most perverse decision to date when Panesar had Symonds stone-dead lbw attempting to sweep. But he's given England nothing in this series, so the tourists can't be surprised to see that trend continue. However well both these batsmen have played - and they have been magnificent - England's increasing frustration is understandable in the face of cowardly umpiring that's simply not up to international standard. DT

0152: Great stuff from England this morning. The four seamers looked like a real bowling unit for the first time in the series. It was the constant threat from at least one of the quicks that made England so effective in 2005, and this first session was reminiscent of it. Matthew Hoggard and Andrew Flintoff set the platform first thing, with Steve Harmison then coming on and striking second ball. Saj Mahmood eventually got his chance, and he charged in with good pace and troubled Andy Symonds in particular.

The big question now is whether England can complete the job and keep Australia down to a manageable lead. If Australia get up towards the 250 England should have reached, the game will be a long way from the tourists.

There are still plenty of dangerous batsmen to come for Australia, and it's crucial England continue to make regular breakthroughs. Dave TIckner