fourth test: d2 commentary

By Dave Tickner

0702: CLOSE
Australia, 1st Innings 372 for seven, lead England by 213 runs
A day dominated by two men. But for Symonds and Hayden, England would have been eyeing an unlikely first-innings lead after blowing away the Australian middle-order. Instead, a weary and broken England team trudge off the MCG field 213 runs adrift with three wickets still to take. The two burly Queenslanders are firm friends and thoroughly enjoyed themselves in a 279-run partnership thathas surely set Australia on their way to a 4-0 lead, possibly inside three days. Another Queensland resident, Rudi Koertzen, had a second successive bad day at the office but the credit must go to Hayden and Symonds for steering Australia from a genuinely precarious position to one of utter dominance.

0702: Over 96 Symonds gets a single with a thick outside edge to backward point. Warne plays out the over to end a fantastic day for Australia.
Australia 1st Inns, 372/7: Symonds 154*, Warne 4*

0658: Over 95 England are happy to give Symonds a single, and he accepts from the first ball of Mahmood's over. Mahmood tests Warne with a well-directed bouncer that Warne fends off his face, but the ball doesn't go to hand. Warne tries to uppercut over the slip but makes no contact, and Mahmood is bowling a very good spell here. Another fine bouncer comes off Warne's top edge and over the keeper's head for a fortuitous boundary to Warne. Mahmood ends a great over with a full delivery that moves away and goes past Warne's outside edge. He'll get a century, mark my words.
Australia 1st Inns, 371/7: Symonds 153*, Warne 4*

0653: Over 94 Symonds works the ball into the legside for a single. Huge appeals against Warne for a catch down the legside, but umpire Dar makes a good decision with the ball appearing to flick the elbow rather than the bat or gloves. Warne blocks out the over.
Australia 1st Inns, 366/7: Symonds 152*, Warne 0*

0648: Over 93 Warne plays and misses to the final ball of the over, but survives. Big ovation from the Barmy Army for Mahmood after a second successive successful over.
Australia 1st Inns, 365/7: Symonds 151*, Warne 0*

0647: Warne is the new batsman for Australia, and he strides out to a huge ovation from the adoring Melbourne crowd.

0645: WICKET!
AC Gilchrist c Collingwood b Mahmood 1 Symonds takes a simple single to midwicket, and Gilchrist drives at a wide delivery from Mahmood. The ball flies quickly off the edge to second slip, where Collingwood takes a fine catch at head height. Far too little far too late in the context of this match, but at least Mahmood is showing that he can be a useful member of this bowling attack.

0643: Over 92 Harmison is immediately round the wicket to Gilchrist, and beats him with a good one that shapes away from the left-hander. Gilchrist leaves the next ball that comes back at him but passes safely clear of the stump. The next three deliveries are blocked before an expansive drive cannons into the pads off the inside edge. A maiden over for Harmison and bizarrely the introduction of Gilchrist has slowed the run-rate.
Australia 1st Inns, 364/6: Symonds 150*, Gilchrist 1*

0638: Over 91 Gilchrist pushes his first ball to mid-on for a single, and Symonds plays out the rest of an over where England finally picked up the sixth wicket.
Australia 1st Inns, 364/6: Symonds 150*, Gilchrist 1*

0636: The joys of playing Australia. You break a 279-run partnership for the sixth wicket... and in walks Adam Gilchrist.

0634: WICKET!
ML Hayden c Read b Mahmood 153 Symonds gets a single to bring up his 150, but the man who has been at the other end for all of those departs soon after as a good ball from Mahmood moves away off the pitch and catches the edge. Read completes the formalities, and Mahmood has his first Ashes wicket.

0633: Symonds 150: 204 balls, 15 x 4s, 1 x 6

0631: Over 90 Three singles off the over as Australia milk England for some easy runs. Not a bad over from Harmison, but it's just depressing to watch now.
Australia 1st Inns, 362/5: Hayden 153*, Symonds 149*

0627: Over 89 Symonds gets two through square-leg and then misses with a big swish outside off stump. He gets a single with a push to midwicket and the lead is exactly 200.
Australia 1st Inns, 359/5: Hayden 152*, Symonds 147*

0623: Mahmood is back into the attack as Flintoff desperately tries to find the bowler to get the breakthrough.

0622: Over 88 Both batsmen are looking to really dominate here, but are perhaps guilty of trying to hit the ball too hard, picking up singles with miscued slogs when proper shots have been getting such good reward.
Australia 1st Inns, 356/5: Hayden 152*, Symonds 144*

0618: Over 87 The 350 comes up with a leg-bye as Hayden plays to leg. Symonds works the ball to the legside and runs hard looking for two but has to settle for one. Hayden gets right across his stumps to work to leg for a single.
Australia 1st Inns, 352/5: Hayden 151*, Symonds 143*

0614: Over 86 Four more for Symonds, tickled fine of the long-leg fielder as Flintoff errs in line. Symonds gets two more working the ball to leg before surviving a huge lbw shout. Again it looks absolutely nailed-on, hitting Symonds in front of off stump on the knee-roll. Aleem Dar's the umpire this time, and Flintoff is on his knees in disbelief at the decision.
Australia 1st Inns, 349/5: Hayden 150*, Symonds 142*

0609: Over 85 Symonds misses an attempted cut but gets it right next ball, carving the ball high over gully for four runs. He flicks the next ball fine on the legside for a single as he continues to close the gap on Hayden.
Australia 1st Inns, 343/5: Hayden 150*, Symonds 136*

0605: Harmison back into the attack.

0605: Over 84 Hayden pushes to midwicket and scampers a quick single to bring ups 150. More huge cheers around the MCG as Australia's fans revel in total, utter English misery. Symonds pushes an easy single into the cover region.
Australia 1st Inns, 338/5: Hayden 150*, Symonds 131*

0602: Hayden 150: 251 balls, 13 x 4s, 2 x 6s

0600: Over 83 Hoggard has a half-shout for lbw against Symonds, but it's missing leg and going over the top. Symonds clubs the next ball high over mid-off for a one-bounce four to bring up the 250 partnership. Fantastic batting from Symonds, especially when you think how hard he had to battle early in ihs innings. Symonds ducks under a good bouncer from Hoggard before working through leg for two more runs.
Australia 1st Inns, 336/5: Hayden 149*, Symonds 130*

0556: Over 82 Hayden forces through the covers for two but is then beaten by a good ball from the persevering Flintoff. Hayden moves to 149 with a single on the legside. Symonds is able to push the ball to midwicket for another single to end the over.
Australia 1st Inns, 330/5: Hayden 149*, Symonds 124*

0552: Over 81 Symonds unfurls a series of crucnhing drives as Hoggard pitches the ball up in search of swing, but picks out fielders three times in a row. He finally finds the gap at the fourth attempt, and the ball races across the turf for four. Fantastic shot, and that's the fastest any ball has moved across this outfield all match.
Australia 1st Inns, 326/5: Hayden 146*, Symonds 123*

0548: Hoggard is back into the attack with the new ball taken.

0544: Drinks. Glorious batting from Hayden and Symonds, now in complete control, and scoring runs at will. Symonds brought up his first Test hundred in wonderful style, with a straight six down the ground. It's to Symonds' immense credit that he's finally recorded his first ton at a time when his team desperately needed him to produce runs, coming in on the back of a middle-order collapse rather than when things were going smoothly. England will take the new ball instantly. It might get them a few wickets but equally it could disappear to all parts.

0544: Over 80 Symonds flicks through square-leg for a couple, and gets a quick single with a firm push to mid-off. Hayden plays out the over defensively, and the new ball is due.
Australia 1st Inns, 322/5: Hayden 146*, Symonds 119*

0540: Just the one over from Pietersen. It cost 13 and was enough to prompt Flintoff to bring himself back for one loosening over before the new ball.

0540: Over 79 A maiden over. Bizarre. Sensible batting from Hayden in fairness, with the new ball imminent. But accurate bowling from Panesar.
Australia 1st Inns, 319/5: Hayden 146*, Symonds 116*

0537: Over 78 Hayden works the ball to leg for a single, and Symonds gets a hard-run two with a similar shot two balls later. Pietersen drops short to Symonds who happily hammers a pull shot through midwicket for four runs before adding two more with a slog-sweep. The next ball is tossed up by Pietersen and hammered down the ground by Symonds. Even with a man on the fence at long-off, it still goes for four.
Australia 1st Inns, 319/5: Hayden 146*, Symonds 116*

0533: Kevin Pietersen is into the attack in place of Collingwood. England have been playing for the new ball for about 25 overs now, so it had better be good when it comes in three overs' time.

0533: Over 77 Panesar is around the wicket to Hayden, who uses his feet to hit down the ground for a single. He stays round the wicket to Symonds, who hits to deep cover for a single. Hayden gets another single to end the over, and the partnership is up to 222.
Australia 1st Inns, 306/5: Hayden 145*, Symonds 104*

0530: Over 76 Hayden gets a single to give Symonds the strike. He goes to his first Test century in fantastic style, smashing the ball straight back over Collingwood's head for six. Brilliant innings, and it's needed just one Rudi moment en route as well. Symonds gets another single once the celebrations have died down. Hayden lets two balls go through to the keeper
Australia 1st Inns, 302/5: Hayden 143*, Symonds 103*

0528: Symonds 100: 153 balls, 9 x 4s, 1 x 6

0526: Over 75 Another single for Symonds, and Hayden gets two more with a flick to fine-leg. Hayden gets another single on the legside and Symonds heaves a short ball from Panesar over midwicket for four runs to move within one hit of his century.
Australia 1st Inns, 294/5: Hayden 141*, Symonds 96*

0522: Over 74 Hayden slashes to third-man for four runs to bring up the 200 partnership. These two have turned a 75-run deficit into a 125-run lead. Hayden gets a single with a push into the covers, while Symonds gets himself another run with a flick to midwicket as Collingwood struggles to find a line.
Australia 1st Inns, 286/5: Hayden 138*, Symonds 91*

0519: Over 73 Symonds into the 90s with a push down the ground. Hayden turns the ball into the legside for another simple single. Decent over from Panesar, just two singles off it.
Australia 1st Inns, 280/5: Hayden 133*, Symonds 90*

0516: Over 72 Collingwood's first ball is down thelegside and smartly taken by Read standing up to the stumps. The second is hit down the ground for a single by Symonds, while Hayden guides through the covers for another run from the following delivery. The next ball is legside again, and Symonds flicks it away for a hard-run two. Symonds hammers the next one hard back at Collingwood, who can't get a hand to what would have been a stunning return catch. Symond gets another run, and needs just 11 more for a maiden Test ton.
Australia 1st Inns, 278/5: Hayden 132*, Symonds 89*

0512: Truly desperate times as England turn to Collingwood in the search for wickets.

0511: Over 71 Symonds pushes down the ground for a single, and Hayden plays an identical shot next ball. The third ball of the over gets Symonds another single down the ground. Hayden leaves outside the off stump, and the ball comes back in to hit the pad. Huge shout from Panesar, but Koertzen unmoved. That one's doing nowhere near enough, but two balls later Panesar is up again for lbw. Much, much closer this time, but Hayden got just outside the line. So Rudi got bioth those decisions right, but as he only had to say not out, that's no surprise; that seems to be all Rudi can say.
Australia 1st Inns, 273/5: Hayden 131*, Symonds 85*

0507: Panesar is back into the attack.

0506: Over 70 Symonds works the ball into the legside for a single, and Hayden adds another to long-leg. Another easy single for Symonds to midwicket, and England need to find some way of making somethinh happen here.
Australia 1st Inns, 270/5: Hayden 130*, Symonds 83*

0502: Over 69 Hayden pushes through midwicket for two runs before playing a quite brilliant shot, smashing Mahmood high over deep midwicket into the stands for six. Nothing wrong with the delivery from Mahmood, but Hayden is happy to just hit through the line, and it's well caught in the stands.
Australia 1st Inns, 267/5: Hayden 129*, Symonds 81*

0458: Over 68 Hayden pulls between the two men in the deep on the legside and gets two runs. A less-convincing pull shot gets Hayden a single as it loops in the air but well short of the deep fielders. Harmison strays in line, and Symonds flicks to the fine-leg fence for four to move into the 80s and take the lead into three figures, far too many for the tourists to deal with and still five wickets in hand for Ausatralia.
Australia 1st Inns, 259/5: Hayden 121*, Symonds 81*

0453: Over 67 Slower ball from Mahmood, and Symonds works it into the wide open spaces on the legside for a single. Terrible field that Flintoff has set here, totally defensive and giving runs away far too easily. Hayden makes a complete hash of an attempted pull shot and spins round just in time to see the ball bobble off bat and pad and trickle wide of the leg stump. Hayden regains his composure to add another single into the gap at point.
Australia 1st Inns, 252/5: Hayden 118*, Symonds 77*

0449: Over 66 Symonds pushes into the covers for another simple single as he closes in on a maiden Test century. Hayden tries to get the ball into the legside, but the ball comes off his hip for a leg-bye. Symonds works the ball into the legside for another single. Hayden works the ball through midwicket for two, and runs are coming off almost every delivery now.
Australia 1st Inns, 250/5: Hayden 117*, Symonds 76*

0445: Over 65 Glorious shot from Hayden, but a poor ball from Mahmood. It's a low full-toss and driven hard down the groudn for four. The next ball is hit to mid-off and Hayden gets through for a single despite a collision with bowler Mahmood and a direct hit fromfielder Harmison. More runs for Symonds, clipping the ball through midwicket for three runs to reach his best Test score.
Australia 1st Inns, 245/5: Hayden 115*, Symonds 74*

0441: Over 64 Symonds pushes into the offside for an easy single. Hayden plays a similar shot two balls later and it's very easy at the moment for Australia. Harmison is trying hard here, but is getting very little from the pitch or a 64-over-old ball.
Australia 1st Inns, 237/5: Hayden 110*, Symonds 71*

0437: Harmison is the other bowler Flintoff turns to at the start of the session.

0437: Over 63 Mahmood starts with a short, wide ball that Symonds happily whacks behind point for four. The next ball is fired down the legside and clipped away for two runs. A hugely optimistic lbw appeal - against any umpire let alone Koertzen - with the ball hitting way outside the line is turned down, and Symonds adds two more through midwicket before a quick single from the final ball of an expensive over.
Australia 1st Inns, 235/5: Hayden 109*, Symonds 70*

0432: Mahmood to bowl the first over of the session.

0431: The players are back out on the field for what will be a long final session. England's over-rate, like much of their cricket, is pitiful.

0412: TEA
Australia, 1st Innings 226 for five, lead England by 67 runs
Well, it was fun while it lasted. But the England fightback has been utterly destroyed by a session dominated by the two Queenslanders. It's hard to see anything but a resounding Australian victory now as they march towards a seemingly inevitable Ashes whitewash. Friend of the Aussies Koertzen was up to his old tricks 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 from Koertzen that's simply not up to international standard, and brought into even sharper focus by the consistently brilliant Aleem Dar at the other end.

0412: Over 62 Real effort ball from Harmison comes off the splice of Hayden's bat and loops towards gully, but falls short. Harmison bowls a maiden to end the afternoon session.
Australia 1st Inns, 226/5: Hayden 109*, Symonds 61*

0408: Over 61 Hayden thumps a flighted ball from Panesar down the ground for a single. Koertzen turns down another lbw shout from Panesar, but it's an easy and correct decision this time with the ball pitching well outside leg.
Australia 1st Inns, 226/5: Hayden 109*, Symonds 61*

0406: Over 60 Hayden pushes to mid-off for a single, something he's been able to do with ease throughout his innings. Harmison pushes Symonds back with a few short balls, but neglects to try and bring him forward again at any stage, and the batsman survives the over comfortably.
Australia 1st Inns, 225/5: Hayden 108*, Symonds 61*

0402: Harmison is back into the attack for one, possibly two, overs before tea.

0401: Over 59 England very flat now, and Symonds content to bide his time. He works to leg for a single. Panesar drops short to Hayden, who rocks back and cuts nicely through point for three runs.
Australia 1st Inns, 224/5: Hayden 107*, Symonds 61*

0358: Over 58 Symonds nurdles into the legside for a single, and Hayden plays out the over without adding to the score as Flintoff tries to tempt him outside off stump.
Australia 1stInns, 220/5: Hayden 104*, Symonds 60*

0353: Over 57 Hayden races to his century with a heave over midwicket for four as England bring the field in. He was lucky to get through yesterday, but has been brilliant today. He pushes down the ground for a single, and Symonds is prepared to be patient, pushing a single from the final ball of the over.
Australia 1st Inns, 220/5: Hayden 104*, Symonds 59*

0351: Hayden 100: 170 balls, 11 x 4s, 1 x 6

0350: Over 56 Symonds drops the ball into the legside for a single to get Hayden back on strike. Hayden gets a single from the final ball of Flintoff's over to reach 99 and retain the strike.
Australia 1st Inns, 213/5: Hayden 99*, Symonds 58*

0345: Over 55 Hayden works to leg for a single to bring up the 200. The last 50 have come at exactly a run a ball. Koertzen baffles England again after Symonds misses a sweep. It pitches middle, straightens and would have hit middle stump halfway up but for the intervention of Symonds' back leg. That's still not quite close enough for Rudi, who unbelievably turns down the appeal. Symonds gets two runs through square-leg and another three with an ugly smear over midwicket. Nothing ugly next up, though, as Hayden drives gloriously over the top for a flat six. Top shot.
Australia 1st Inns, 211/5: Hayden 98*, Symonds 57*

0341: Panesar is into the attack as England desperately strive to get back in the game. He bowled too fast in his first spell, so let's see how he goes here.

0340: Over 54 Hayden pushes into the covers off the back foot for one, and Symonds gets two from the final ball of Flintoff's over with a flick to midwicket. All very easy at the moment for Australia.
Australia 1st Inns, 199/5: Hayden 91*, Symonds 52*

0335: Over 53 Hayden works the ball to leg for a single, and Symonds goes to a third Test fifty with a solid push into the covers. Had to battle hard early in his innings, but he's dominating England now. Hayden drives down the ground for a single before Mahmood has Symonds ducking with a good short ball. Symonds is almost tempted to go after another short ball from Mahmood, but with two men back the batsman wisely bails out. Good stuff from Mahmood, testing Symonds with some good short bowling.
Australia 1st Inns, 196/5: Hayden 90*, Symonds 50*

0333: Symonds 50: 79 balls, 6 x 4s

0330: Over 52 Hayden pushes into the covers for a single. Symonds blocks yet another Flintoff no-ball. Symonds slashes hard outside off stump. Collingwood takes at gully and does brilliantly to get a hand to the ball but can't hold on. Symonds goes to 49 with three, but he's fortunate. Hayden adds another single with a flick behind square on the legside.
Australia 1st Inns, 193/5: Hayden 88*, Symonds 49*

0325: Over 51 Hayden smacks a full-toss from Mahmood through the covers for an all-run four to bring up the 100 partnership, and works the next ball through midwicket for a couple more. He gets a single to deep cover, and England just can't get any control here.
Australia 1st Inns, 187/5: Hayden 86*, Symonds 46*

0320: Over 50 Stunning shot from Symonds, hammering a drive through extra-cover on the up for four. Flintoff comes back with a good one that bounces and moves away from Symonds, beating him outside the off stump.
Australia 1st Inns, 180/5: Hayden 79*, Symonds 46*

0316: Flintoff decides enough's enough, and brings himself back into the attack with England in desperate need of wickets.

0312: Drinks. England had a very good morning, but the nagging feeling they needed one more wicket isnow looking very true. Australia are now taking the game away from the tourists very quickly indeed. Symonds looked like an absolute novice before lunch, but he is now smashing England's bowlers to all parts. Hayden is continuing to cash in on Koertzen's temporary blindness on the first evening.

0312: Over 49 Dangerous times for England now, with Symonds in destructive mood. He launches a length ball from Hoggard over midwicket for four and punches the next ball down the ground for a single. Hoggard drops short to Hayden sho smashes the ball over square-leg for four, and England's fightback has been thoroughly squashed by these two burly Queenslanders.
Australia 1st Inns, 176/5: Hayden 79*, Symonds 42*

0307: Over 48 Mahmood surprises Hayden with a bouncer that the left-hander takes on, but the ball is through Hayden well before his hook shot. It's certainly Hayden's day as another outside edge flies into the gap and down to the third-man boundary for four. England will be cursing Koertzen with every run Hayden adds. Mahmood again tricks Hayden, this time with a much slower delivery that hayden squirts into the legside. Hayden gets two from the final ball of the over with a punch through midwicket, but a good over from Mahmood with no luck.
Australia 1st Inns, 167/5: Hayden 75*, Symonds 37*

0302: Over 47 Hayden pushes down the ground for a single. Symonds drives in the air but in the gap at extra-cover for four runs. The next ball is in the air as well, but an awful lot higher and further, bouncing just once before clearing the rope at extra-cover to bring the scores level. Australia move into a first-innings lead with a single to Symonds from the next delivery, and this partnership is now very quickly taking the game away from England. Hayden gets Australia's 11th run from the over before Symonds misses out on a leg-stump edlivery much to his obvious annoyance.
Australia 1st Inns, 161/5: Hayden 69*, Symonds 37*

0257: Over 46 Hayden drives into the covers with no timing for two runs. He times the next one much better straight down the ground, but Flintoff makes a fine diving stop to keep it down to one run. The next ball is on leg stump and Symonds flicks to fine-leg for a single. Hayden works the ball to midwicket and a misfield from Cook allows a single.
Australia 1st Inns, 150/5: Hayden 67*, Symonds 28*

0252: Mahmood is back into the attack.

0252: Over 45 Symonds plays a booming drive down the ground but straight to mid-off for no run. Symonds is looking to get after the bowling now, and gets a single as a drive into the covers bobbles over a diving Bell. Hayden has more luck against Hoggard with a thick inside edge past the leg stump for a single.
Australia 1st Inns, 145/5: Hayden 63*, Symonds 27*

0248: Over 44 Symonds has a big swing at one outside the off stump but makes no contact. The next ball from Harmison passes close to the glove down the legside, and there's half an appeal for a catch. Nothing too convincing, though. Symonds blocks the next ball into the covers and scampers through for a single. Hayden plays otu the over.
Australia 1st Inns, 143/5: Hayden 62*, Symonds 26*

0244: Over 43 Symonds hits hard straight through Bell at short extra cover and gets three runs as Mahmood gives chase. With Hayden on strike, Read is back up the stumps. Hayden almost clips the next delivery into the waiting hands of short midwicket, but it drops just short. Hoggard's line and length is spot on to the left-hander, but Hayden plays it pretty well.
Australia 1st Inns, 142/5: Hayden 62*, Symonds 25*

0239: We'll see how fitHoggard is now, as he comes on to replace an ineffective Panesar.

0239: Over 42 Harmison drops short to Hayden who pulls hard to deep midwicket. Again the boundary is too big, but these two are quick between the wickets and get back for a second all-run four.
Australia 1st Inns, 139/5: Hayden 62*, Symonds 22*

0235: Over 41 That might be the end of the Panesar experiment, with little happening for him. Hayden and Symonds pick ups ingles at will before a flick through midwicket gets three for Symonds. The 50 partnership is up, and these two are leading Australia back towards the box seats here.
Australia 1st Inns, 135/5: Hayden 58*, Symonds 22*

0231: Over 40 Symonds rides the bounce from Harmison and turns the ball to leg for a single. Harmison then tempts Hayden into playing away from his body and missing an expansive drive.
Australia 1st Inns, 127/5: Hayden 56*, Symonds 16*

0227: Over 39 Panesar's bowling a bit too fast and a bit too short. Both batsmen collect a single, Hayden through the legside and Symonds through the off.
Australia 1st Inns, 126/5: Hayden 56*, Symonds 15*

0224: Over 38 Symonds fences at one away from hisbody and the ball flies just wide of slip and down to the third-man boundary for four runs. Another good voer from Harmison, but no luck.
Australia 1st Inns, 124/5: Hayden 55*, Symonds 14*

0220: Over 37 Symonds gets a single, and a firm drive into the covers earns two for Hayden despite Cook's diving stop in the covers.
Australia 1st Inns, 120/5: Hayden 55*, Symonds 10*

0215: Slight surprise to see Panesar thrown the ball after lunch, given ideal conditions overhead and underfoot for the seamers.

0215: Over 36 Hayden pushes straight to Mahmood at mid-off and calls for a dreadful single. Mahmood's throw is some way off-target, but Hayden would have been well short with a direct hit. Symonds places the next ball nicely through the covers and runs hard to get back for a fourth run as Hoggard gives chase. Symonds works the next ball to midwicket for a single and is clearly growing in confidence after a tough start. Hayden blocks the two final balls of the over.
Australia 1st Inns, 117/5: Hayden 53*, Symonds 9*

0210: Harmison will continue his spell straight after lunch.

0209: The rest of the England players join Hoggard and the other bowlers on the field, and they're quickly followed by Hayden and Symonds. All the England players will be delighted to see the cloud cover returning.

0207: Hoggard has been going through some work on the outfield during the lunch break, presumably trying to assess the extent of that side injury he picked up towards the end of his spell this morning.

0130: LUNCH
Australia, 1st Innings 111 for five, trail England by 48 runs
England's session with three key wickets falling. The bowling has been excellent from England, but they probably needed one or two more wickets to have really got themselves right back in the game. It could have been a different story if Hayden ahd been given out on either of the occasions he should have been on the first evening, but he's battled brilliantly today. Like Strauss, his 50 is worth nearer 70 in the conditions, but unlike Strauss he has the chance to go on and make an even more telling contribution.

0130: Over 35 Hayden goes to a gutsy 50 with a flick to deep square-leg for two. The next ball squirts off the toe of the bat all along the ground to Flintoff at slip, who fields well one-handed. A firm push to mid-off gets Hayden a single. Symonds keeps out a fast, inswingingyorker, and sways out of the way of the final ball of the morning session.
Australia 1st Inns, 111/5: Hayden 52*, Symonds 4*

0126: Hayden 50: 101 balls, 6 x 4s

0125: Over 34 Harmison continues to work Symonds over, striking a painful blow on the batsman's back thigh with a ball that jags back sharply. Maiden over from Harmison, and again it's a good one.
Australia 1st Inns, 108/5: Hayden 49*, Symonds 4*

0121: Over 33 Mahmood overpitches, and Symonds drives hard through the covers. It still won't reach the long boundary though, and Symonds must settle for three. Hayden pushes down the ground for a single, and gets an overthrow as the throw from mid-off ricochets off the stumps.
Australia 1st Inns, 108/5: Hayden 49*, Symonds 4*

0117: Over 32 Hayden drives hard back at Harmison, and gets a single as the bowler half-stops in his followthrough. Symonds' struggles continue as he edges just short of Collingwood at second slip. Symonds finally gets off the mark by fending the ball into the legside for a single. Hayden lets the last two balls of the over go through to Read, with Harmison just dropping a fraction short.
Australia 1st Inns, 103/5: Hayden 47*, Symonds 1*

0112: Over 31 Mahmood starts with a high full toss that Symonds guides to gully. The next ball is an outswinger that Symonds has a mighty swing at, but makes no contact. Two balls later Symonds guides the ball wide of gully, but a fantastic diving stop from Ian Bell keeps Symonds on nought. Good start from Mahmood, a maiden over bowled at good pace.
Australia 1st Inns, 101/5: Hayden 46*, Symonds 0*

0107: Hoggard has now left the field for treatment on his injury, and that means a first bowl for Saj Mahmood. He had a pop at the skipper for underbowling him in Perth, and now he has to back those words up.

0106: Over 30 Hayden works the ball through midwicket for a couple as Harmison concedes his first runs. Harmison strays on to leg stump and Hayden flicks the ball cleverly to fine-leg for four. Hayden looks to be finding his best form now, working the ball through square-leg for two runs to bring up Australia's 100.
Australia 1st Inns, 101/5: Hayden 46*, Symonds 0*

0102: Over 29 The outfield's a touch quicker today, and another genuine edge from Hayden flies wide of the slip cordon for four. Hoggard seems to have a bit of a side injury here, rubbing his ribs. His next ball is still on the spot, finding the inside edge of Hayden's bat and running into the legside for a single. Hoggard completes the over, and seems happy to stay on the field.
Australia 1st Inns, 93/5: Hayden 38*, Symonds 0*

0057: Over 28 Harmison jags the ball past Symonds' outside edge and completes another great maiden over. He's just bowled probably his best two overs of the series so far.
Australia 1st Inns, 88/5: Hayden 33*, Symonds 0*

0053: Over 27 Read is up to the stumps to keep Hayden in his crease. Hayden responds with a drive through the covers for four, but it was in the air for a while, flying between two men in on the drive. Just the boundary from the over as Hoggard continues to plug away admirably.
Australia 1st Inns, 88/5: Hayden 33*, Symonds 0*

0049: Over 26 Symonds plays out the over, but Harmison starts his spell with a wicket-maiden.
Australia 1st Inns, 84/5: Hayden 29*, Symonds 0*

0046: Andrew Symonds is the new batsman for Australia with England fighting hard.

0045: WICKET!
MJ Clarke c Read b Harmison 5 Just two balls into his spell, Harmison strikes with a perfect ball that bounces andmoves away from the batsman, catching a thin edge on its way through to Read.

0043: First bowling change of the innings with Harmison introduced in place of Flintoff.

0042: Over 25 Clarke is immediately off the mark with a flick through square-leg. Clarke works a ball from middle-and-off behind square on the legside for a hard-run three. Hayden plays out the over, and Hoggard is roundly applauded for some overdue success.
Australia 1st Inns, 84/4: Hayden 29*, Clarke 5*

0038: Another man if fine form, Michael Clarke, is the new batsman.

0037: WICKET!
MEK Hussey b Hoggard 6 The drinks break strikes again. Hoggard wisely decides to bypass the pads this time, instead swinging the ball through Mr Cricket's defences and disturbing the furniture. Big wicket for England.

0032: Drinks. England have bowled admirably this morning, but in truth they reall needed to get more than one wicket with batting conditions getting easier and easier as the sun beats down.

0032: Over 24 Flintoff's first ball hits Hayden on the pads but pitched outside leg. The second is a no-ball pushed to mid-off. Hayden blocks the third, and another no-ball from Flintoff suggest the England captain may just be tiring after his exertions this morning. Hayden drives through the covers but doesn't time the ball and gets just two. Flintoff tries his luck from around the wicket for the first. A third no-ball follows, but Flintoff eventually completes the over.
Australia 1st Inns, 79/3: Hayden 29*, Hussey 6*

0025: Over 23 Hussey lets a ball go that passes desperately close to the off stump, as Hoggard completes yet another maiden over. Just six runs conceded by Hoggard this morning, five of thos in one over.
Australia 1st Inns, 74/3: Hayden 27*, Hussey 6*

0021: Over 22 Big shout from Flintoff against Hussey, but the left-hander got a good stride, and height was a factor. Again the umpires are uninterested in another very good shout, but probably a fair decision from Dar. Hussey scampers through for a quick single to twelfth man James Anderson, on the field in place of Steve Harmison. Just that single from another fine Flintoff over.
Australia 1st Inns, 74/3: Hayden 27*, Hussey 6*

0017: Over 21 Hoggard pushes one across Hussey and beats the left-hander. The next ball does find the edge, but it goes along the ground wide of gully for two runs. A classy drive to Kevin Pietersen's left hand at point gets Hussey three runs. Another shot that deserves four but gets only three on this vast, damp outfield. The final ball of Hoggard's over swings into Hayden's pads but is doing too much, and the lbw shout is quickly strangled.
Australia 1st Inns, 73/3: Hayden 27*, Hussey 5*

0013: Over 20 Genuine edge from Hayden, but it finds the gap between the slips and the gully and runs away for the first boundary of the morning. Hayden blocks the next ball straight back to Flintoff who throws hard at the stumps. Another good over, one suspects England's problems may start when these two bowlers come out of the attack.
Australia 1st Inns, 68/3: Hayden 27*, Hussey 0*

0008: Over 19 Hoggard test Hussey early, but Mr Cricket plays out a maiden over. Hoggard hasn't bowled a bad ball so far today.
Australia 1st Inns, 64/3: Hayden 23*, Hussey 0*

0003: Over 18 Hayden is on strike with the batsman having crossed while Cook waited under that catch. He gets two with a flick to long-leg and lets the final ball go.
Australia 1st Inns, 64/3: Hayden 23*, Hussey 0*

0001: Mr Cricket Mike Hussey is the new batsman for Australia.

0000: WICKET!
RT Ponting c Cook b Flintoff 7 Huge breakthrough for England, but a dreadful shot from Ponting. Short and wide in truth from Flintoff, and Ponting tries to fetch it through midwicket, succeeding only in skying the ball to midwicket where Alastair Cook takes a simple catch. That's what pressure can do.

1158: Over 17 Ponting shovels the ball into the legside for a single, and Hayden plays out another good over from Hoggard. England's best two bowlers have been very impressive so far this morning, but without luck.
Australia 1st Inns, 59/2: Hayden 21*, Ponting 5*

1153: Bright sunshine in Melbourne now, with few clouds on the horizon. Could be a long day for England.

1152: Over 16 Ponting works a straight ball through square-leg for a single. Hayden clubs unconvincingly down the ground off the toe of the bat. He's lucky the ball skews wide of mid-off and goes away for three. The next one nips back at Ponting and catches him on the crease and on the knee roll. Huge appeals from all the England players, but that ball may just have been going on to miss leg stump. Flintoff was convinced it was out, almost pleading with Aleem Dar to give the decision. Great bowling from Flintoff, but a fair decision. Ponting works another straight one through square-leg for a single.
Australia 1st Inns, 58/2: Hayden 21*, Ponting 4*

1147: Over 15 Good accurate over from Hoggard, probing away at Ponting. Just a leg-bye coming off that over.
Australia 1st Inns, 53/2: Hayden 18*, Ponting 2*

1143: Over 14 Ponting pushes into the covers. With Steve Harmison patrolling that region, it's an easy single. Flintoff oversteps next ball, but Hayden lets it go. Hayden plays out the rest of the over watchfully after a slight delay while Flintoff gets some sawdust put down in his take-off area.
Australia 1st Inns, 52/2: Hayden 18*, Ponting 2*

1139: Over 13 Hayden is batting well outside his crease in an effort to counter Hoggard's swing. Hoggard is right on target throughout his first over, but Hayden watchfull plays out a maiden. The final ball swings back in dramatically, but Hayden judges it well and lets it through to Read.
Australia 1st Inns, 50/2: Hayden 18*, Ponting 1*

1135: It will be Matthew Hoggard to bowl the second over of the day. He should have had Hayden last night, but the batsman was spared by a couple of baffling lbw decisions from Rudi Koertzen. Can Hoggard get his revenge today...

1134: Over 12 Ponting lets the first two balls of the day go through to keeper Chris Read. The third ball is pushed into the gap at cover to get Ponting off the mark with a single. Hayden pushes the next ball straight to Monty Panesar at mid-off and gets through for another single. The final ball of Flintoff's first over of the day is a good one, going past Ponting's outside edge as he pushes forward.
Australia 1st Inns, 50/2: Hayden 18*, Ponting 1*

1129: Flintoff is into the attack first thing this morning looking to add to the two wickets he got late on the first evening.

1128: The England players are in their huddle as Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting stride out for the morning session on day two of the fourth Ashes Test.

1120: It's a slightly better day today in terms of weather. It's slightly warmer than day one, but there's still cloud cover and some prospect of showers. For England, there should still be something in this pitch, and there will be for as long as the sun stays away. Once the sun gets on it, this pitch will flatten out.

1051: Welcome to day two in Melbourne. Yesterday was all about one SK Warne. Todayshould be all about Australia's batsmen building a position of dominance at the 'G. If England are going to stay in the match then they'll surely need more of Andrew Flintoff's heroics. He finally cranked up some of the old pace and bounce to nip out two late wickets on the first day, and more of the same is needed to prevent the hosts racking up a huge lead in improving batting conditions.