Australia build lead after England collapse
Australian supporters celebrate during another England collapse
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Saturday, 25, Nov 2006 07:24
Australia advanced their lead to an enormous 626 runs after bowling England out for 157 on the third day of the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.
Captain Ricky Ponting's decision to waive the follow-on option with a 445-run first innings lead was in itself a record, it being the highest ever lead where a captain has declined to ask the struggling team to bat again.
Ponting had Glenn McGrath to thank for being in such a strong situation today. The paceman took 6-50 against England's struggling middle and lower order, showing visible pleasure at his fifth wicket as he held the ball aloft to a cheering Gabba crowd.
England began the day tentatively, with Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen overnight struggling to score runs and keep their wickets intact. The pair came close to surviving the first hour before Pietersen was trapped lbw, without playing a stroke, off McGrath for 16.
Disaster struck three balls later for England when Andrew Flintoff followed, taking a duck from his first innings of the Ashes series. Geraint Jones (19) and Ashley Giles (24) offered some middle order resistance, with Ian Bell at the other end grafting a fine half-century.
It was Bell's departure with the score on 149-7 which prompted the final collapse, with Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard both departing the scene without scoring. A wild slog from Giles brought about his, and the innings', downfall for 157.
Ponting then sent his team into bat, powerfully demonstrating his complete control of the match's course so far. Matthew Hayden foolishly ran himself out when on 37 after a good throw from James Anderson in the deep, but Justin Langer advanced to 88 not out at the other end.
Ricky Ponting had time to reach an undefeated 51 before the close of play, taking the Australian score to 181-1 in their second innings. The only question that now remains is whether England will lose on Monday or tomorrow, with many pundits backing the latter.