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Version 6 Version 7
Live: Australia v England Live: Australia v England
(9 minutes later)
England lost two wickets without adding to their overnight score and a further two soon afterwards as Australia surged towards victory in the Sydney Test. Australia need just 46 runs to beat England in Sydney, and with it, collect the first 5-0 Ashes whitewash since England's 1920-21 tour.
Kevin Pietersen edged Glenn McGrath behind and nightwatchman Monty Panesar was run out by Andrew Symonds. England lost their remaining five second innings wickets for the addition of just 33 runs. Glenn McGrath took two of them in his final Ashes Test match.
Then Chris Read edged Brett Lee to the slips and Sajid Mahmood was bowled. Kevin Pietersen edged McGrath behind in the first over of the day and the same bowler removed England's last man.
The net result was that England were 123-9, leading by just 21, with nearly two hours to go until lunch on the fourth day - a whitewash is certain. James Anderson was comfortably caught by Michael Hussey at mid-on.
THE DAY'S ACTION (all times local to Sydney - GMT+11)THE DAY'S ACTION (all times local to Sydney - GMT+11)
By Tom FordyceBy Tom Fordyce
1125: Emotional scenes at the SCG as McGrath and Warne lead the Aussies off the field to a rapturous standing ovation. The pair wave their caps to the stands, beaming smiles smeared across their faces. Anderson and Harmison trudge off with the sort of body language that doesn't quite suggest major inroads into the Aussie batting.
1122: WICKET - Anderson ct Hussey b McGrath 5, Eng 147 all out There it is - and McGrath is the man who does it, tempting Anderson into a lamentable one-handed hoick which Hussey pouches at mid-on.
1116: Eng 147-9 Warne might have over 700 Test wickets, and he might be about to finish his Test career with a spectacular thrashing of the old enemy, but can he stop Harmison slogging him through midwicket for four? No he cannot. It's like watching your house burn down, only to find a bonus 20p in the lining of your coat as you do so.
1112: Eng 139-9 What a partnership this is. Lordy - the way this last pair is going, we could be here until, ooh, midday Sydney-time.1112: Eng 139-9 What a partnership this is. Lordy - the way this last pair is going, we could be here until, ooh, midday Sydney-time.
1108: Eng 134-9 Huge appeal against Anderson for a stumping off Warne, but after an age the third umpire gives it not out, even though it looked very much like goodnight charlie. Even the neutral officials are being patronising towards us now.1108: Eng 134-9 Huge appeal against Anderson for a stumping off Warne, but after an age the third umpire gives it not out, even though it looked very much like goodnight charlie. Even the neutral officials are being patronising towards us now.
1104: Eng 131-9 Will it be McGrath, will it be Warne? Anderson can't decide, and misses everything.1104: Eng 131-9 Will it be McGrath, will it be Warne? Anderson can't decide, and misses everything.
1059: Eng 131-9 To the sort of rhythmic clapping that generally accompanies an Olympic long jump final, Warne plods in to Harmison, who somehow survives. In answer to your questions about whether I'll get a full day's salary today despite probably only working about two hours, I'd like to point out to senior BBC management that I shall of course stay in the office until 8am London time, dilligently starting work on our Ashes 2009 online coverage.1059: Eng 131-9 To the sort of rhythmic clapping that generally accompanies an Olympic long jump final, Warne plods in to Harmison, who somehow survives. In answer to your questions about whether I'll get a full day's salary today despite probably only working about two hours, I'd like to point out to senior BBC management that I shall of course stay in the office until 8am London time, dilligently starting work on our Ashes 2009 online coverage.
1054: Eng 131-9 Harmie thumps McGrath back over his head for four. As he does so, Ponting has a word with Warnie - looks like Shane's going to get a final final twirl after all...1054: Eng 131-9 Harmie thumps McGrath back over his head for four. As he does so, Ponting has a word with Warnie - looks like Shane's going to get a final final twirl after all...
1050: Eng 124-9 Harmison and Anderson stand on the bridge of the sinking ship, snorkels at the ready. Hey - at least we can all have an early night. Except I slept all day so I'd be able to stay awake all night to write this, so I can't even dull the pain with a long succession of zzzzzz's. Anyone want to join me on Hammersmith Bridge at about 3am English-time to stare blankly at the swirling waters below?1050: Eng 124-9 Harmison and Anderson stand on the bridge of the sinking ship, snorkels at the ready. Hey - at least we can all have an early night. Except I slept all day so I'd be able to stay awake all night to write this, so I can't even dull the pain with a long succession of zzzzzz's. Anyone want to join me on Hammersmith Bridge at about 3am English-time to stare blankly at the swirling waters below?
1044: WICKET - Mahmood b McGrath 0, Eng 123-9 Yeah yeah, whatever - Mahmood is comprehensively cleaned up by McGrath. England can't even last long enough to give Shane Warne his final bowl in Test cricket. Although I bet he'll be asking if he can open the batting. Could we have a beer match afterwards?1044: WICKET - Mahmood b McGrath 0, Eng 123-9 Yeah yeah, whatever - Mahmood is comprehensively cleaned up by McGrath. England can't even last long enough to give Shane Warne his final bowl in Test cricket. Although I bet he'll be asking if he can open the batting. Could we have a beer match afterwards?
1039: WICKET - Read ct Ponting b Lee 4, Eng 122-8 Oh, just stop it. Read edges Lee to Ponto at third slip, who takes an excellent catch. Prize for the sweepstake - and don't think I haven't spotted you all frantically revising your initial shouts - will be the ashes of my computer keyboard, which I'm going to burn in a brief ceremony in about an hour's time.1039: WICKET - Read ct Ponting b Lee 4, Eng 122-8 Oh, just stop it. Read edges Lee to Ponto at third slip, who takes an excellent catch. Prize for the sweepstake - and don't think I haven't spotted you all frantically revising your initial shouts - will be the ashes of my computer keyboard, which I'm going to burn in a brief ceremony in about an hour's time.
1031: WICKET - Panesar run out 0, Eng 114-7 Did I say it couldn't get any worse? Read calls Monty through for a quick single, Monty jogs at the pace of a man pulling an airplane, and Symonds destroys the stumps with a direct hit. Why did we even bother flying to Australia in the first place?1031: WICKET - Panesar run out 0, Eng 114-7 Did I say it couldn't get any worse? Read calls Monty through for a quick single, Monty jogs at the pace of a man pulling an airplane, and Symonds destroys the stumps with a direct hit. Why did we even bother flying to Australia in the first place?
1028: Eng 114-6 Good stuff from Monty - right behind Lee's testers. The boundaries will start flowing any second, I'm certain.1028: Eng 114-6 Good stuff from Monty - right behind Lee's testers. The boundaries will start flowing any second, I'm certain.
Rodney Lowe in Halifax, TMS inbox: I'd be happy be for one more over and 12 runs in the tiebreaker - the misery has to end.Rodney Lowe in Halifax, TMS inbox: I'd be happy be for one more over and 12 runs in the tiebreaker - the misery has to end.
1024: Eng 114-6 McGrath vs Chris Read, and it's a maiden - as searching as a rubber-gloved customs official. Not sure what the prize is for the sweepstake - I'd like to offer a BBC goody-bag, but I've got no idea where I'd get one. Or what would be in it.1024: Eng 114-6 McGrath vs Chris Read, and it's a maiden - as searching as a rubber-gloved customs official. Not sure what the prize is for the sweepstake - I'd like to offer a BBC goody-bag, but I've got no idea where I'd get one. Or what would be in it.
1019: Eng 114-6 Brett Lee gets the full six against Monty, but the nightwatchman stands firm. Anyone fancy a sweepstake on how many overs it'll take Australia to seal the 5-0 whitewash? Tie-breaker is the number of runs they'll need to knock off.1019: Eng 114-6 Brett Lee gets the full six against Monty, but the nightwatchman stands firm. Anyone fancy a sweepstake on how many overs it'll take Australia to seal the 5-0 whitewash? Tie-breaker is the number of runs they'll need to knock off.
1013: WICKET - Pietersen ct Gilchrist b McGrath 29, Eng 114-5 They could have least waited until we'd all sat down... McGrath strikes with the third ball of the day, moving one away from Pietersen and Gilchrist bagging the easiest of chances. Amazing, isn't it - just when you think it can't get any worse...1013: WICKET - Pietersen ct Gilchrist b McGrath 29, Eng 114-5 They could have least waited until we'd all sat down... McGrath strikes with the third ball of the day, moving one away from Pietersen and Gilchrist bagging the easiest of chances. Amazing, isn't it - just when you think it can't get any worse...
1005: Well - it's time for the final rites. The Australian team come out, with Warne, McGrath and Langer leading the way. It's bright and sunny at the SCG - except in the hearts of English cricket fans, where the rain is lashing down. Kevin Pietersen and Monty Panesar jog down the pavillion steps - how long will they last?1005: Well - it's time for the final rites. The Australian team come out, with Warne, McGrath and Langer leading the way. It's bright and sunny at the SCG - except in the hearts of English cricket fans, where the rain is lashing down. Kevin Pietersen and Monty Panesar jog down the pavillion steps - how long will they last?
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