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Version 3 Version 4
Duo put Australia back in command Duo put Australia back in command
(10 minutes later)
Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds put England to the sword on the second afternoon as Australia won back control of the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne. Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds put England to the sword on the second day as Australia wrested back control of the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne.
The hosts were struggling on 84-5 in reply to England's 159 in the morning.The hosts were struggling on 84-5 in reply to England's 159 in the morning.
But Hayden accelerated from a slow start to reach his 27th Test century in 170 balls, while Symonds also recovered from an uncertain start to hit 61. But Hayden accelerated from a slow start to reach his 27th Test century in 170 balls, while Symonds also recovered from an uncertain beginning to hit 61.
The duo had put on an unbroken 142 by tea with Australia - 3-0 up in the series - cruising on 226-5, 67 ahead.The duo had put on an unbroken 142 by tea with Australia - 3-0 up in the series - cruising on 226-5, 67 ahead.
It marked quite a turnaround after England had put their Boxing Day batting misery behind them with a fine bowling display in the first session.It marked quite a turnaround after England had put their Boxing Day batting misery behind them with a fine bowling display in the first session.
Skipper Andrew Flintoff and Matthew Hoggard were right on target from the off, causing Ricky Ponting and Hayden plenty of problems with a combination of probing lines and movement through the air.Skipper Andrew Flintoff and Matthew Hoggard were right on target from the off, causing Ricky Ponting and Hayden plenty of problems with a combination of probing lines and movement through the air.
Ponting skied a pull off Flintoff to Alastair Cook at mid-wicket before Hoggard, who was carrying a slight rib injury, comprehensively bowled the prolific Mike Hussey.Ponting skied a pull off Flintoff to Alastair Cook at mid-wicket before Hoggard, who was carrying a slight rib injury, comprehensively bowled the prolific Mike Hussey.
Things got even better for the visitors when Steve Harmison's extra bounce induced Michael Clarke into edging behind during his first over, a wicket maiden.Things got even better for the visitors when Steve Harmison's extra bounce induced Michael Clarke into edging behind during his first over, a wicket maiden.
Hayden and Symonds rode their luck outside off-stump and the stand could have ended two balls after the lunch interval but Sajid Mahmood failed to run out Hayden with a throw from mid-off. Hoggard was arguably the pick of England's bowlers at the MCG
But the burly Queenslanders overcame early scares to launch a succession of powerful strokes, finding the deep MCG boundaries with ease at times. Hayden and Symonds rode their luck outside off-stump and the stand could have ended two balls after the lunch interval if Sajid Mahmood had hit the target from mid-off and run out Hayden.
But it was not long before the burly Queenslanders launched a succession of powerful strokes, finding the deep MCG boundaries with ease at times.
Symonds hammered Hoggard high over cover from successive deliveries before brutally lofting him over mid-wicket and the pressure seemed to lift when he reached his third Test fifty off 79 balls.Symonds hammered Hoggard high over cover from successive deliveries before brutally lofting him over mid-wicket and the pressure seemed to lift when he reached his third Test fifty off 79 balls.
Hayden, inspired by his friend's aggression, was also starting to free his arms and swung Hoggard over backward square-leg as the century partnership came up off 150 balls.Hayden, inspired by his friend's aggression, was also starting to free his arms and swung Hoggard over backward square-leg as the century partnership came up off 150 balls.
There were a couple of glimmers of hope for England in the last 40 minutes before tea: Collingwood got his finger tips to the ball when Symonds drove Flintoff high towards gully, and Monty Panesar had a confident lbw shout against Hayden rejected by umpire Rudi Koertzen. There were a couple of glimmers of hope for England in the last 40 minutes before tea: Collingwood got his fingertips to the ball when Symonds drove Flintoff high towards gully.
But Australia's comfort was shown in the way Hayden crashed the left-arm spinner down the ground for six and over wide mid-on to bring up his fifth century in the last six Tests at the MCG. And Monty Panesar had a confident lbw shout against Hayden rejected by umpire Rudi Koertzen.
But Australia's comfort was encapsulated by the sight of Hayden crashing the left-arm spinner down the ground for six and over wide mid-on to bring up his fifth century in the last six Tests at the MCG.
Normal service had been resumed.Normal service had been resumed.