Jonathan Trott posted his third century in five Ashes Tests to take England closer to a historic series victory in the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday.
The South African-born right-hander helped swell the tourist’s lead to 346 runs as they batted for the entire second day to press home their advantage after Australia were skittled out for 98, their lowest total in 133 years of Ashes Tests at the famous ground.
Trott, who hit 119 on his Ashes debut at the Oval last year, has been a constant menace to Australian bowlers this series and notched an unbeaten 135 in the first Brisbane Test.
Andrew Strauss’s team need to win only one of the final two Tests to retain the Ashes and capture their first series down under in 23 years.
With the Ashes urn appearing to slip away from his side, under pressure Australian captain Ricky Ponting clashed with match umpires over a disputed decision. His outburst resulted in a fine of 40% of his match fee.
At close, England were 444 for five with Trott defiant on 141 and Matt Prior on 75 in a ground record unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 158 that all but kills off the Australians’ hopes of winning the match.
“It’s an important Test match and it’s one that I will definitely savour,” Trott said. “The Boxing Day Test has all the hype around it and the crowd and the support of the English fans put it right up there.
Good position
“I work hard on my game and it’s good to be able to contribute to put the team in a good position.”
The pair eclipsed the previous English record wicket partnership at the MCG of 140 between “Patsy” Hendren and Maurice Leyland in 1928-29.
Trott, who has now amassed 418 runs for the series at 104.5, had some luck along the way and needed a referral to avoid a tight run-out decision on 46, just beating home Ponting’s throw from the deep.
The number three recharged the England innings after fast bowler Peter Siddle had revived Australian hopes with three wickets and two catches.
The paceman had single-handedly kept the Australians in the contest with the wickets of Alastair Cook, Strauss and Kevin Pietersen, before taking two fine catches in the deep off Mitchell Johnson’s bouncers.
Siddle had Cook caught at first slip by Shane Watson for 82 to end an English opening stand of 159, and then had Strauss caught brilliantly by a leaping Michael Hussey in the gully for 69.
“It was a tough day, starting so far behind it was always going to be tough work,” Siddle said.
“We knuckled in today and we only got five wickets but we contained them for most of the day and let them get away a little bit towards the end.
Umpire’s review
“The boys are still upbeat, there is still a lot of Test match cricket to be played here.”
Talismanic batsman Pietersen was trapped leg before wicket to Siddle for 51 after raising his 21st Test half-century.
Pietersen was given out and conferred with batting partner Trott about whether to seek an umpire’s review, but walked from the wicket after a few words.
Pietersen sparked Ponting’s ire, after an Australian referral for caught behind off Ryan Harris failed to see him off.
Replays Pietersen did not edge the delivery and he stayed at the crease, prompting Ponting to argue with both umpires and exchange sharp words with England man about the decision, believing he had made contact with the ball.
Ponting was later fined 40% of his match fee by the ICC match referee after pleading guilty to a charge of “arguing or entering into a prolonged discussion with the umpire about his decision”.
The fine equates to around $5,400.
Paul Collingwood’s poor form with the bat continued when he fell for eight off a weak hook shot straight to Siddle in Johnson’s first over of a new spell.
Collingwood has scored just 70 in five innings in the series, putting pressure on his place for next week’s final Sydney Test.
Siddle was on the spot again to snap up a low diving catch at fine leg to dismiss Ian Bell for one off Johnson.
Prior also enjoyed a slice of luck when he was called back to the crease by umpire Aleem Dar after being caught in the slips when on five.
Dar consulted with the third umpire and found that Johnson had over-stepped for a no-ball, giving the England wicketkeeper a reprieve. — Sapa-AFP