England produced an impressive display with the ball to edge ahead on day two of the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne.
Australia started the day on top and they quickly wrapped up the England innings, with Mitchell Johnson recording figures of 5-63 as England collapsed to 255 all out.
However, the hosts struggled in their reply as Chris Rogers (61) became the only man to pass 50 on a day when wickets fell at regular intervals.
All of England's seamers managed to take at least one wicket, with Australia eventually closing on 164-9 to trail their rivals by 91 runs.
Read below to find out how events unfolded on a rare good day during this tour for England.
Good evening everyone. Australia edged another day of this Ashes tour by picking up some crucial wickets late on yesterday to leave England with a big challenge ahead of them. Can the tourists fight back today? Stay with me to find out.
Ryan Harris was superb with the ball once again and Mitchell Johnson delighted the MCG crowd in the final session with a fiery spell of fast bowling with the second new ball.
There was something to cheer for England supporters as Kevin Pietersen showed great fight to end the day on 67 not out from 152 balls. It wasn't a classic Pietersen innings but it was the sort of display we haven't seen enough of from England's batsmen.
England will be desperate to pass 300 in their first innings to give them a fighting chance in this game. Pietersen starts the day alongside Tim Bresnan, who can certainly frustrate the hosts with the bat if he gets in early on.
Australia might fancy wrapping things up pretty quickly if they can break this partnership in the first few overs. Johnson and Harris will return fresh and the second new ball is just nine overs old.
It's possible to point the finger at some poor shots from the touring batsmen yesterday but you must give credit to the way Michael Clarke's side bowled. When the ball stops moving, they are superb at keeping the pressure on with tight lines and lengths. Peter Siddle and Shane Watson, in particular, kept the run-rate down with brilliant accuracy.
Pietersen will be eyeing a hundred. In truth, he deserves one for the way he applied himself yesterday. We could see England's number four attack early on today as he looks to add some priceless runs with the tail.
Bresnan's wicket is important in the first session. Australia know that after him they'll get a shot at Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Monty Panesar.
Play is just five minutes away in Melbourne. Australia could be in full control of the match before lunch if England collapse to a below-par total.
The players are heading out to the middle now. If Pietersen and Bresnan can see off the opening spell from the quick bowlers, they'll fancy building a good partnership in the first session.
Everyone is ready now at the MCG. Pietersen on strike. Harris to bowl the first over of the day. Play!
Loose start all round as a wide one from Harrison is sliced over point for four runs by Pietersen, who moves into the seventies. Pietersen looks solid in defence after the early boundary as the tourists survive the first over of the day. Pietersen 71 Bresnan 1*
WICKET! BRESNAN (1) C BAILEY B JOHNSON
What a start from Johnson! The seamer starts with a fierce bouncer and Bresnan can do nothing but fend the ball to Bailey, who runs backwards at short-leg to take a good catch. Superb beginning to the day for Australia.
I'm not sure what Bresnan could have done there. It was a cracking delivery to start the over from Johnson. Broad is happy to get off strike with a leg-bye. Pietersen sets himself to attack the short ball but decides to let the bouncer pass through to Haddin. This could be interesting.
WICKET! PIETERSEN (71) B JOHNSON
Two in the first over for Johnson! Pietersen fancies his chances of clearing the rope with a big slog but the ball moves late at 89mph and the stumps are knocked back. Well, it was interesting but it just didn't last very long.
James Anderson survives his first ball by letting a wide one reach Haddin. The MCG rises to applaud Johnson, who has given the hosts a perfect start.
Broad has no option to attack with just Anderson and Panesar remaining in the batting lineup. The left-handed batsman gets off the mark with four runs through third-man off a thick outside edge. Shot! Harris is too wide and Broad takes advantage to drill four through the covers. It's no surprise to see Clarke respond to two boundaries by setting a field for some short bowling. Broad ducks one bouncer before guiding the next one to fine-leg for one. Anderson chases a wider one, but he survives.
Broad needs to be careful about shuffling too far across his crease. Johnson will target leg-stump if he continues to make that movement. Broad nudges one just wide of Johnson to hand the strike to his partner. Anderson watches a short ball pass him on the off-side and then chooses to go after a wide one. No edge. Broad 10* Anderson 0
Drop! Harris misses his chance to remove Broad. A good bouncer is pushed into the air and Harris makes the ground to get his hand on the ball. However, he fails to hold on and Broad is given a life. Just one single from the over when Broad flicks the ball to fine-leg.
WICKET! BROAD (11) LBW B JOHNSON
Five wickets for Johnson! The man of the series award edges a step closer to the seamer when he traps Broad lbw with a fast, full delivery. Very good bowling. Just Panesar left.
Panesar comes to the crease with his team in big trouble. He survives his first four deliveries, showing good bravery to stand tall and play Johnson.
Anderson blocks a couple of short balls from Harris before earning a single with a thick outside edge through third-man. Panesar defends well again to extend the innings for a bit longer. Anderson 1* Panesar 0
Close! Anderson, maybe hoping to get to the other end, swings and misses outside off-stump. The 'Burnley Lara' finds the middle of the bat moments later to push two runs through the covers. Anderson makes sure he keeps the strike with a quick single on the off-side.
First bowling change of the day as Nathan Lyon comes on to replace Anderson. Shot! These two will certainly prefer playing against the slower bowlers and Anderson displays confidence with a good shot over mid-on for four. England's number 10 picks out the fielders on the off-side with a couple of cuts to ensure that it's just the boundary from the over.
Changes at both ends as Siddle comes on for a bowl. Ouch! After seeing a couple of balls pass him, Panesar takes a painful blow to a very sensitive area. There's no sympathy from Bailey at short-leg. Panesar gets off the mark late in the over with a couple through square-leg. Anderson 8* Panesar 2
Anderson continues to be positive against the spin as he follows a lofted two over cover with a single to long-off. Panesar finds the middle with a cut shot when Lyon loses his length but Clarke stops the ball at cover.
WICKET! PANESAR (2) B LYON
It's all over. Australia wrap up the England innings when Panesar leaves a straight one and is bowled by Lyon. It's been a perfect start to the day for the hosts. Johnson will steal the headlines again but the whole attack have been excellent.
England will be left disappointed once again. Almost every one of their top order batsmen made starts but they've still not managed to combine for a score over 300 on a good pitch. 255 is certainly not enough.
It's taken less than an hour for Australia to finish off England. Johnson's superb series continues with figures of 5-63 from 24 overs. Clarke will be targeting a big first innings lead from this position to set up a fourth victory in a row.
Plenty of poor shots. A lot of good bowling. England's problems are obvious to everyone. Can they find a solution?
Cook has his players out in the middle. He knows that the tourists must restrict Australia to a total close to their own to stand any chance in this game.
David Warner and Chris Rogers are ready to begin the Australian reply. Anderson will bowl the first over. Rogers on strike. Play!
Anderson appeal after hitting the pads with the first ball but Cook wisely decides that the ball pitched outside leg-stump. No review used. Bairstow is behind the stumps, he'll know how important his form with the gloves is today. Rogers starts the scoring with a push past Anderson for a single. Steady start.
Boos greet Broad's arrival with the ball. Rogers is immediately pinned back by some good pace from the seamer. Broad nips one past the outside edge as Rogers hangs his bat out without any obvious aim. Decent start from Broad. It's a maiden.
Shot! Warner picks a great way to get off the mark when he reaches the rope with a gorgeous straight drive. A flick off the hip allows the openers to rotate the strike. Shot! Rogers joins Warner by scoring his first boundary with a fine drive past a diving Broad at mid-on. It just doesn't seem to be clicking for Anderson at the moment. Rogers 5 Warner 5*
Close! Warner almost gets in trouble with a wild swing at a wide one from Broad, who is operating at around the 90mph mark. Shot! Carberry does the chasing but he can't prevent a much more measured effort from Warner racing through the off-side for four. Warner attacks again, but it's a repeat of the over-ambitious shot from moments earlier. Close! Warner keeps on coming and his innings almost comes to an end when a miscued pull drops just short of Broad. Great contest going on between these two. Rogers 5* Warner 9
Anderson has struggled to swing the ball in this series and there certainly hasn't been much movement early on with the new ball. Cook knows he needs some quick wickets. Rogers is happy to keep out an accurate over from Anderson. Maiden.
Bairstow goes up for the catch when Warner goes after the wide one again but there doesn't seem to be too much belief that there was any bat involved. A single is nudged down the ground to hand the strike to Rogers. Broad is bowling much quicker than we've seen him do for a lot of this series. There's a thick outside edge late in the over but Stokes, who has filled the gap in the slips left by Graeme Swann, can't prevent the ball from racing through third-man for four.
WICKET! WARNER (9) C BAIRSTOW B ANDERSON
It's been a bit of a mixed bag from Warner, who is forced to depart for just nine. The opener is eager to turn the ball onto the leg-side but he skies the ball into the air and Bairstow takes a simple catch. Important moment for the tourists.
Shane Watson comes to the crease full of confidence following his ton in the previous Test match. Shot! Australia's number three gets off the mark in superb style with a lovely on-drive for four runs. Four runs and a wicket from the over.
Broad mixes his length well to Rogers but a potential maiden is ruined when the opener collects four through third-man again. England must keep the pressure on these two with 20 minutes left in the session. Rogers 13 Watson 4*
Anderson turns to Kumar Dharmasena for an lbw appeal but the umpire correctly suggests that the ball was heading over the top of the stumps. Clever shot from Watson to guide the ball just past Carberry point and his reward is four runs. Good bowling from Anderson but an obvious lack of movement for the seamer. Just the boundary off the over.
Ben Stokes is into the attack for the first time. A brief lbw appeal is rejected. Cook wants a chat about a possible review but the bowler insists there was an inside edge. A sliced drive from Rogers earns him to on the off-side. It's a decent start for Stokes, who is approaching 90mph.
Changes at both ends as Bresnan is introduced to the attack. The Australian duo trade singles early in the over. Watson is choosing to play only when necessary around his off-stump. His game has certainly improved in a short space of time. One more run makes it three from the over. Rogers 16 Watson 10*
WICKET! WATSON (10) C BAIRSTOW B STOKES
This is surely my fault. Just as I praise Watson for his discipline around the off-stump, he plays a wild drive and gets a thin inside edge through to the waiting Bairstow. Stokes claims his first wicket and Australia are in a spot of trouble just before lunch.
Clarke comes to the crease and he's immediately off the mark with a couple of runs through mid-wicket. A short-leg is in place for the Australian skipper, who watches the first bouncer pass his shoulder down the leg-side. Another short ball follows but once again there's no threat. Two runs and a wicket from the over.
LUNCH: Panesar comes on to bowl the final over of the session. The spinner starts with a full-toss but Rogers strangely decides against attacking the ball. Panesar settles on a good length following the early error and completes a maiden. Rogers 16* Clarke 2*
Australia dominated the first hour of the day to wrap up the England innings for 255 but the tourists have fought back well to take two crucial wickets. The next session will be very interesting. We'll know who is on top at tea.
Join me in around 35 minutes for the second session of the day as Australia look to reduce the 217-run deficit. See you then.
Welcome back everyone. It was business as usual in the first session of the day in Melbourne as England collapsed to 255 all out. David Warner and Shane Watson both threw away their wickets before the lunch break, with Michael Clarke (2*) and Chris Rogers (16*) the men not out at the break.
England have been in positions similar to this one before in the series but they've failed to take advantage. They must remain positive and keep the pressure on the hosts as they look to back up their below-par total.
Australia will still be pretty confident. They have fought back impressively on the rare occasion they've been put on the back foot in this series and Michael Clarke is in brilliant form with the bat.
Broad is going to start the session with the ball in hand. Clarke on strike. Australia trail by 217. Play!
Clarke pushes a full ball down the ground for a couple of runs at the start of the over. Broad adjusts his length slightly to force a couple of defensive shots before sending one past the outside edge when Clarke chases the wider delivery. The Australian skipper is furious with himself there. Close! Not much Clarke can do about the next ball as Broad nips one away to beat the edge again. Two off the over.
Stokes takes the ball for the 15th over as he looks to build on the success of removing Watson earlier on. Rogers, watchful as ever, isn't interested in taking a risk early in the session and he safely negotiates a maiden. If there's one Australian who needs a score, it's definitely Rogers.
Carberry does very well at point to get a hand on a push from Clarke but he can't stop the batsman from sneaking a single. Broad gets one to nip away off the seam and Rogers is happy to see the ball miss his edge by an inch or two. Nice variations of length in the over, too. Rogers 16 Clarke 5*
Stokes seems eager to bowl very full to Clarke, who plays every delivery with a straight bat. No movement in the air for the seamers but there has been examples of the pitch offering some encouragement. Maiden over.
Ouch! An uneventful over comes alive when Rogers misreads the length of a Broad delivery and takes a painful blow to the head. The helmet hasn't saved him completely, with some blood appearing when he removes the lid. Broad heads over immediately to check on the batsman. Nice to see, to be honest. The physio heads on to put a plaster on the cut. Thankfully, Rogers is fine to continue. Maiden over.
Stokes mixes his length early in the over, choosing to test Clarke with a short ball which the batsman easily ducks. We've not seen many errors from Clarke against the bounce since right at the start of the series. The Aussie skipper picks up three with a push through the covers and Rogers adds three more past point. Rogers 19* Clarke 8
Nice timing from Rogers to earn two down the ground. A quick change of helmet is needed following that earlier blow on the head. Broad goes too straight and he concedes a run to fine-leg. Another bouncer follows to Clarke, who calmly watches the ball reach Bairstow.
Loose from Rogers as he swings at, and misses, a wider one at the start of a new spell from Bresnan. The opener readjusts following the error early in the over and he's happy to block out a maiden in just Bresnan's second over. Anderson looks set to return to the attack. Rogers 22 Clarke 8*
Clarke flicks Anderson's first ball of the over off the hip for one on the leg-side. Rogers opens the face of the bat to guide a single into the gap between gully and point. Anderson drifts too straight again and Bairstow takes the responsibility of doing the chasing to restrict the hosts to two leg-byes. Four off the over.
Shot! Rogers is growing in confidence and he'll be delighted with a perfect straight drive for four off Bresnan early in a new over. Just 20 runs added since lunch as Australia continue to make steady progress. Rogers 27 Clarke 9*
Clarke once again clips a single off his pad through square-leg. Anderson is trying to bowl at the stumps but both Australians look comfortable against the straight line as Rogers works two behind square on the leg-side. Rogers adds another run at the end of the over with a push to mid-on.
Good bowling from Bresnan to complete a maiden to Rogers. England have applied pressure since lunch but Cook will be desperate to back that up with a wicket soon.
WICKET! CLARKE (10) B ANDERSON
Big wicket! Clarke, just like Carberry did in England's innings, chooses to leave one and is punished when Anderson nips the ball back to hit off-stump. The bowler is delighted with that delivery. England on top. How often have we said that in this series?
Steve Smith, who claimed the man of the match award in the previous game, gets off the mark with four behind square on the leg-side. Australia need a partnership. They trail by 189.
Shot! Bresnan is too wide and Rogers cashes in to drill four runs through the covers. The bowler respond well with a much tighter line to send down five dot balls after the early boundary. Rogers 34 Smith 4*
Smith defends outside off-stump before dragging a shorter ball through square-leg for one. Anderson is bowling with good rhythm and is producing pace that we haven't seen from him for quite a while. Rogers looks to open up the leg-side but he picks out the fielder.
Good move from Cook to bring back Stokes, who has conceded just 10 runs in his five overs. The slips are happy with what they see from the all-rounder, with gasps following almost every delivery. Smith looks in nice touch and he picks up a single to deep square-leg. Rogers 34 Smith 6*
Smith pushes the ball firmly to the left of Stokes at cover for a single. Rogers shuffles across his crease to clip the ball to Pietersen in the deep and he collects two for the shot. Bresnan's mistake at cover frustrates Anderson and gifts a single to Rogers. Four from the over.
Stokes is slightly too short from over the wicket and the left-handed Rogers nudges a couple through mid-wicket. Shot! The experienced opener takes full advantage of a leg-stump half-volley to whip four runs to the rope. Rogers 43 Smith 7*
Drop! Anderson almost produces a superb catch when he gets a hand on Smith's powerful pull shot but he can't cling on at mid-wicket. It's a great effort and it looked for one moment that he'd taken the catch. Will Smith take advantage? Maiden over from Bresnan.
Panesar is back into the attack and just as he did in his first over, the spinner begins with a full-toss. Rogers punishes the error on this occasion to hammer four through the off-side. Panesar attempts to mix up his pace but he struggles to find the right length throughout the over. Rogers 47 Smith 7*
Smith gets off strike early in Bresnan's over with a single to square-leg. Rogers, eyeing a third half-century of the series, continues to wait for the bad ball to arrive and defends for the rest of the over. Australia trail by 168.
Smith is eager to be positive against the spin, but he's forced to defend after skipping down the pitch. Panesar continues to search for the correct length and a short ball is hammered to the rope by the centurion from the WACA. Cook needs his spinner to bowl much better than this today. Rogers 47* Smith 12
Rogers slightly miscues a pull shot but he still manages to collect two to deep mid-wicket. A late cut looks set to produce the half-century. However, Carberry is quick enough to stop the run at backward point. Two off the over.
Much better over from Panesar to Smith, who has his freedom restricted at the crease by a few quicker deliveries. A punch to deep cover produces the only run of the over for the batsman. 15 minutes left in the session.
Bresnan completes his fourth maiden in nine overs as Smith decides against taking a risk outside off-stump. Impressive spell from the seamer. A wicket before tea would be brilliant for the tourists.
Rogers uses his feet to try and open up the space on both sides of the wicket but Panesar frustrates the batsman with some good variations. The opener thinks there may be a single on behind point. However, Smith sends his partner back to leave him on 49 not out.
The MCG has been a bit flat in this session. Australia haven't been able to play the exciting brand of cricket that the locals are used to seeing, mainly due to some very good England bowling. Stokes returns to the attack to complete a third maiden in a row from the tourists.
Panesar is too full again but Rogers drives the ball straight to Bell at cover. 50! Rogers has been forced to wait a bit longer than he would have hoped but he records his fifth Test half-century with a quick single on the off-side. He'll be desperate to produce a big score as he looks to secure his place in this side for the foreseeable future. Smith adds another to make it two from the over. Rogers 50 Smith 14*
TEA: Stokes hangs a couple outside off-stump before forcing Smith to duck away from the bouncer. Australia's number five has just 14 from 54 balls since his arrival at the crease. That's the end of the session. Australia trail by 159 runs at the break. Rogers 50* Smith 14*
Much like England yesterday, Australia have been forced to be very patient by some tight bowling from the tourists. Cook will be very happy with his team at this stage but he knows they must pick up some more wickets in the final session.
Rogers is far from elegant but he's battled impressively to earn his half-century today. There's a feeling that he could make way for Phil Hughes in the near future ahead of the series with South Africa next year. However, his style of play can help when David Warner fails with his attacking approach.
In the break at the MCG, former newspaper editor Piers Morgan is facing Australian bowling legend Brett Lee. Do you fancy his chances? To be fair, he's a braver man than I am.
It may have sounded like a bit of fun but this looks like the Brett Lee of old in the nets. Mr Morgan has already been struck twice. No cover drives, you won't be surprised to hear. Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon are enjoying it, too.
Lee made a mess of the stumps once and decided to pepper the talk show host for the rest of the over. I'm sure there's a few people who enjoyed watching that one. I don't think he's ready to replace any of the current England squad. We'll put it that way.
Let's get back to the serious business. A strong session for Australia will hand them the control at the end of the day but a few wickets could swing things in England's favour. The series may be lost but a Test match is always important.
Panesar's spell may be a worry for both himself and Cook. The spinner has a big chance to prove himself as England's number one slower bowler following Swann's retirement. He can't afford to waste that opportunity in the next two matches.
The players are back out in the middle. Rogers on strike. Anderson, boasting figures of 2-32 from 10 overs, starts the session with the ball. Play!
Shot! Rogers begins the session in style when he fires the first ball of the over through extra cover for four runs. Anderson sends down a short ball but Rogers easily ducks away from the delivery. A flick off the hip at the end of the over allows Rogers to keep the strike. Rogers 55* Smith 14
Broad's arrival is met with the usual jeers from Australians. The seamer is too full, allowing Rogers to guide two past cover. A nudge into the leg-side hands the strike to Smith. Australia's number five hasn't been as fluent as we've seen him, but that's been a common theme in this game. Three from the over.
Much better over from Anderson. It's a nice length to Rogers but the seamer is missing the movement which will cause concern for the opener. Maiden.
Smith looks set to block out another maiden over before scoring his first runs of the session with a fine pull shot through square-leg for four. Broad pleads with the umpire to give lbw when he hits the pad as Smith leaves the ball late in the over. It's a shake of the head from Aleem Dar. A few England fielders suggest that height would have been a problem and replays back up those claims.
Bresnan's pace might be a bit of a worry for England, with the Yorkshire seamer only managing to reach 80mph just once in the over. It's still a maiden, though. Rogers 58 Smith 18*
Broad, Anderson and Cook meet for a quick chat before the start of the over. The England skipper sets a field for straight bowling, with Smith's apparent weakness outside off-stump not being obvious today. England building pressure again as Broad completes a maiden over. Where can Cook find a wicket from?
Rogers plays a firm drive straight to Cook, before seeing the latest of cuts blocked by Carberry at backward point. The opener ends the spell of dot balls with a single through mid-wicket. There's a hint of movement for Bresnan late in the over but Smith does well to turn the ball behind square for another run. Rogers 59 Smith 19*
WICKET! SMITH (19) C BELL B BROAD
Superb from Bell! It's usually Swann in at second slip but his replacement reacts brilliantly to take a sharp catch when Smith flashes at a wider one from Broad. The ball came quickly to Bell, who was forced to move his hands late to take the chance. Crucial breakthrough for England. Bailey in next.
Bailey's first task is to keep out a full one from Broad. It's a wicket maiden. Australia have been in positions like this before in the series but they'v always managed to fight back. England must keep the pressure on. The hosts trail by 145.
Bresnan is bowling very full to Rogers as he looks to find some signs of reverse swing with the ball that is now 51 overs old. Rogers is still making steady process, picking up a single from the over. Rogers 60* Bailey 0
Close! Rogers makes a rare mistake when he flirts with a wider one from Broad, who is an inch away from finding the edge. A slightly fuller ball invites the drive to cover for a single. Just one off the over. The deficit is 143.
WICKET! ROGERS (61) C PIETERSEN B BRESNAN
Rogers looks at the pitch but he must depart. Bresnan offers up a drive ball to the opener, who spoons a drive into the air. Pietersen has some ground to make up from mid-off and he does well to take the catch. This is very good from England today.
Haddin, who has been fantastic with the bat and gloves in this series, gets off the mark with a push down the ground for two. Australia's wicketkeeper has another big role to play here. Bailey 0* Haddin 2
Bailey almost gets in trouble when leaving the ball but a deflection off the bottom of the bat goes straight to ground. Broad attempts the yorker to force Bailey into a good defensive stroke close to the toes. Huge appeal for lbw from Broad but Aleem Dar once again shakes his head. Cook doesn't feel like reviewing the decision. That's probably a wise choice. Not out, suggests the replay. It's a maiden.
Bresnan's reward for his wicket is a rest as Stokes returns to the attack. Haddin plays a false shot outside off-stump but a thick edge earns him four runs past a diving Carberry at point. It's a decent over at the start of a new spell. Just the boundary scored.
Changes at both ends as Anderson comes back to replace Broad. Bailey, who is yet to score, is tested on an off-stump line before being forced to duck away from a bouncer. It's a very nice over from the seamer. No scoring options for Bailey.
Shot! Stokes will learn quickly that he can't afford to bowl half-trackers on this pitch if Haddin continues to pull to mid-wicket for four. Haddin plays across the line later in the over but an inside edge saves him from being trapped lbw. Hadin 10 Bailey 0*
Bailey is getting no help from Anderson. The line and length is superb from the seamer, with Bell providing good support to build pressure when he stops an edge at second slip. REVIEW! England think they have another wicket when Bailey attacks a wider one but Aleem Dar shakes his head. Bairstow and Cook are convinced, so they use a review.
WICKET! BAILEY (0) C BAIRSTOW B ANDERSON
They won't be very popular, but the umpires have been consistent. Just as we saw with Root's dismissal in the previous game, there is no edge shown on Hotspot but Snicko suggests that there was a noise as the ball passed the bat. Third umpire Billy Bowden decides that's enough for the decision to be overturned and Bailey must depart for a duck.
To be honest, it did sound like an edge. Bailey wasn't happy but there's nothing he can do about it now. Johnson is the new batsman and he's happy to leave the first ball. Wicket maiden from Anderson, who is probably having his best day of the series.
Can you remember the first Test? These two will only bat in one way. Haddin begins the counter attack with a lofted drive down the ground for six. That's the shot of a man in form. Haddin then clips the ball through mid-wicket for three more. Stokes attempts to cramp Johnson for room but the batsman does well to work two to fine-leg. 11 from the over.
Haddin is looking to be busy as Australia attempt to put the pressure back on the tourists. A quick single is taking following a nudge into the leg-side. Anderson, hiding the ball as he searches for reverse swing, comes around the wicket to restrict Johnson's freedom. Clever bowling. Haddin 20* Johnson 2
Haddin pulls Stokes for a single early in the new over. The bowler chooses to stay over the wicket to Johnson, who displays his defensive side with some solid blocking. Australia still trail by 120 runs.
Shot! Anderson is too wide and Haddin takes full advantage with a late cut past point for four runs. The questions are being asked of the bowlers now as Haddin reaches the rope again with a loft over mid-off. It's three boundaries from the over when a flick off the hip races through fine-leg for four. Haddin has moved to 33 from 29 balls. Cook needs to respond. Bresnan will return to the attack.
Haddin's six a couple of overs ago means that this series now holds the record for the most maximums in Test cricket, beating the record set by these two sides in 2005.
Drop! Will England live to regret this moment? Johnson drives straight to Anderson at short cover but the usually dependable fielder puts down the chance. Neither Bresnan or Anderson can believe that. It would have been a big wicket for the tourists. Maiden over.
Panesar is back for a new spell. Both Australians will attack the spinner. Haddin targets mid-wicket at the start of the over but an ugly heave finds the fielder at square-leg. A nudge into the leg-side hands the strike to Johnson, who is beaten on the outside edge twice by a bit of turn. For those of you wondering, Bairstow has kept well behind the stumps today as Prior's replacement. One off the over.
Haddin thinks about taking on the short ball from Bresnan but he pulls out at the last moment. Johnson is once again kept quiet when he's given the strike later in the over, with Bresnan refusing to offer the batsman the length he prefers to attack. Haddin 35* Johnson 2
DECISION OVERTURNED! England are delighted when Haddin is given out lbw but the batsman quickly decides to review the decision. Panesar only needs the ball to be clipping leg-stump on EagleEye. However, the technology shows the ball would have missed the stumps and Haddin survives. Good use of DRS. Better bowling from Panesar. One off the over.
Haddin stands tall to pull Bresnan away for a single.
WICKET! JOHNSON (2) C ANDERSON B BRESNAN
Anderson makes up for dropping two catches off Bresnan's bowling by taking a chance at mid-wicket when Johnson targets the rope with a powerful pull. Johnson didn't look right at the crease today and he must depart. England in control at the MCG.
Harris comes to the crease ahead of Siddle and he defends his first four balls as Bresnan completes a very good over. It's been an impressive display from England's seam attack.
Haddin gets off strike with a single to long-off at the start of the over. Close! Harris plays the cut at the wrong time but he earns four when the edge quickly travels past Anderson at slip and to the rope. Panesar will be eager to get in on the act before the close of play. Five off the over.
Haddin once again picks up an early single with a drive to deep extra cover. Harris has shown us before that he can pose a threat with the bat but he seems reluctant to get forward early in this innings. England need to bowl a bit fuller to cause his problems. Just one from Bresnan's over. Haddin 39* Harris 4
Broad returns to the attack as England look to keep the pressure on. Cook is being very busy in the field, with Broad and Anderson also offering their advice. Haddin collects a run just behind point. Harris earns a run of his own with the latest of cuts to steal the strike at the end of the over.
Harris pushes the ball back past Bresnan for one before Haddin hands the strike back with a quick single of his own. Bresnan's pace has been down today but he's been excellent with his line and length. Australia trail by 94 with 15 minutes left in the day.
Broad almost sneaks through with one that nips back slightly but Haddin gets bat on ball to earn a single on the leg-side. A sharp bouncer tests Harris, who does well to keep the ball down on the back foot.
WICKET! HARRIS (6) C ROOT B BROAD
Superb from bowler and captain. Cook backs Broad's plans by placing Root at short-leg and they're immediately rewarded as Harris fends a bouncer straight to the fielder. England are dominating with under 10 minutes left.
Siddle is the new batsman and he's handed the strike immediately when Haddin collects a single at the start of an over from Stokes. A leg-bye prevents Stokes from getting an extended opportunity to bowl at Siddle. Australia still trail by 91. Haddin 43 Siddle 0*
The discussions about the field between Broad, Anderson and Cook mean that this will be the final over of the day. Siddle, unlike Harris before him, manages to push the ball just past short-leg when playing the bouncer.
WICKET! SIDDLE (0) C BRESNAN B BROAD
CLOSE OF PLAY: What an end to the day for England! Siddle attempts the drive but he can only pick out Bresnan at cover. Australia finish nine down, trailing by 91 runs. It's been a miserable tour for England but they finally have something to smile about.
England are in control of this match. We haven't said that too often in the series. The Ashes might be lost but the tourists now have a real chance to set up a victory in the fourth Test match. Haddin (43*) will be back on day three as he looks to add some priceless runs.
It's been a very exciting day of Test cricket and I'd like to thank you for joining me for our coverage. Make sure you return at 11pm (UK time) for day three. Goodbye everyone.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
