England moved closer to retaining the Ashes for the first time in 24 years following another dominant display at the Melbourne Test on day three. England added 69 to their overnight total as they were dismissed for 513, with Jonathan Trott unbeaten on 168. Australia had been progressing steadily at 99-1 when Tim Bresnan ripped through the middle order with three wickets for five runs in the final session. The hosts ended the day on 169-6, still 246 runs adrift of the tourists. That deficit is purely mathematical with only three lower-order wickets remaining - Ryan Harris is unlikely to bat after sustaining a stress fracture of his left ankle bowling in the morning session - and with England's bowlers rampant. A superb, disciplined display from the quartet was characterised by sustained periods of pressure, starving Australia's beleaguered top order of run-scoring opportunities. At the forefront of the middle-order demolition was Bresnan's superb spell of 3-17 from seven eventful overs, dismissing Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey in quick succession. The Yorkshireman was ably assisted by the frugal Chris Tremlett and the ever consistent James Anderson, who once again exemplified why he is the best swing bowler in the world. And Graeme Swann's canny ability to collect wickets at crucial stages left Australia staring down the barrel of yet another humiliating innings defeat on home soil. (BBC Sport)Tuesday 28 December 2010
England close in on Ashes victory in Melbourne
England moved closer to retaining the Ashes for the first time in 24 years following another dominant display at the Melbourne Test on day three. England added 69 to their overnight total as they were dismissed for 513, with Jonathan Trott unbeaten on 168. Australia had been progressing steadily at 99-1 when Tim Bresnan ripped through the middle order with three wickets for five runs in the final session. The hosts ended the day on 169-6, still 246 runs adrift of the tourists. That deficit is purely mathematical with only three lower-order wickets remaining - Ryan Harris is unlikely to bat after sustaining a stress fracture of his left ankle bowling in the morning session - and with England's bowlers rampant. A superb, disciplined display from the quartet was characterised by sustained periods of pressure, starving Australia's beleaguered top order of run-scoring opportunities. At the forefront of the middle-order demolition was Bresnan's superb spell of 3-17 from seven eventful overs, dismissing Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey in quick succession. The Yorkshireman was ably assisted by the frugal Chris Tremlett and the ever consistent James Anderson, who once again exemplified why he is the best swing bowler in the world. And Graeme Swann's canny ability to collect wickets at crucial stages left Australia staring down the barrel of yet another humiliating innings defeat on home soil. (BBC Sport)