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Australia on top in Sydney Test Australia on top in Sydney Test
(20 minutes later)
Australia gained a strong position at tea on day two of the final Ashes Test in Sydney with world number one Ricky Ponting settling into his innings.Australia gained a strong position at tea on day two of the final Ashes Test in Sydney with world number one Ricky Ponting settling into his innings.
Ponting was 37 not out in a score of 109-2 after England had been bowled out just before lunch for only 291.Ponting was 37 not out in a score of 109-2 after England had been bowled out just before lunch for only 291.
The tourists declined rapidly from their overnight position of 234-4, though Andrew Flintoff - ninth out for 89 - emerged with considerable credit.The tourists declined rapidly from their overnight position of 234-4, though Andrew Flintoff - ninth out for 89 - emerged with considerable credit.
Disappointingly, England's last five men only produced a combined four runs.Disappointingly, England's last five men only produced a combined four runs.
Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath and Stuart Clark all finished with three wickets.Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath and Stuart Clark all finished with three wickets.
The second new ball was taken as soon as play began on Wednesday and McGrath and Lee looked dangerous immediately.The second new ball was taken as soon as play began on Wednesday and McGrath and Lee looked dangerous immediately.
Paul Collingwood was dropped by Justin Langer in the slips in Lee's first over, but in any case added just two to his overnight 25 before edging a McGrath lifter to Gilchrist. Paul Collingwood was dropped by Justin Langer in the slips in Lee's first over, but in any case added just two to his overnight 25 before edging a McGrath lifter to wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist.
Chris Read never settled and soon gave Gilchrist another catch off Lee, who followed up by removing Sajid Mahmood for a golden duck.Chris Read never settled and soon gave Gilchrist another catch off Lee, who followed up by removing Sajid Mahmood for a golden duck.
England's number eight fended his first delivery away amateurishly for Matthew Hayden to take the easiest catch imaginable at gully. Mahmood, batting at least two places too high at number eight, fended away amateurishly for Matthew Hayden to take the easiest catch imaginable at gully.
Though he struggled to put bat to ball, Steve Harmison did better than his fellow tail-enders, lasting 24 balls to allow Flintoff to go from 61 to 82.Though he struggled to put bat to ball, Steve Harmison did better than his fellow tail-enders, lasting 24 balls to allow Flintoff to go from 61 to 82.
The England skipper was within sight of his sixth Test century - and first since the summer of 2005. The England skipper moved to within sight of his sixth Test century - and first since the summer of 2005.
But wickets were falling and he had to take more and more risks, so it was no huge surprise when he nicked a big drive behind to be the ninth man out.But wickets were falling and he had to take more and more risks, so it was no huge surprise when he nicked a big drive behind to be the ninth man out.
And the final wicket was Shane Warne's 1,000th in international cricket, Monty Panesar missing an attempted sweep to be ajudged lbw. And the final wicket of the innings was Shane Warne's 1,000th in international cricket, Monty Panesar missing an attempted sweep to be ajudged lbw.
Langer survived the one over bowled by England before lunch and emerged after the interval to play a range of shots with real panache.Langer survived the one over bowled by England before lunch and emerged after the interval to play a range of shots with real panache.
But having got to 26 quickly he contrived to glove a ball from James Anderson down the leg-side, Read taking the catch.But having got to 26 quickly he contrived to glove a ball from James Anderson down the leg-side, Read taking the catch.
Ponting and Matthew Hayden were given plenty of balls to attack - which had not been the case when England had batted. Ponting and Hayden were given plenty of balls to attack - which had not been the case when England had batted.
And England had to wait until the score had got to 100 before the next wicket came - Hayden lazily steering a wide ball from Harmison to Collingwood in the slips. And the tourists had to wait until the score had got to 100 before the next wicket came - Hayden lazily steering a wide ball from Harmison to Collingwood in the slips.