England set to retain the Ashes

Tourists lead by 346 runs in first-innings after Australia failed to make regular breakthroughs.

MELBOURNE: Jonathan Trott posted his third century in five Ashes Tests to propel England closer to a historic series victory in the fourth Ashes Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

The right-hander helped swell the lead to 346 runs after the tourists batted out the entire second day to take full advantage of Australia’s record lowest total of 98 in 133 years of Ashes Tests at the famous ground.

Trott, who hit 119 on his debut in last year’s Ashes, has proved to be a thorn for Australia with an unbeaten 135 in the first Brisbane Test. This hundred came despite a painful blow to the knee.

At stumps, England were 444 for five with Trott on 141 and Matt Prior on 75 in a ground-record unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 158 to kill off the Aussie hopes of salvaging the Test.

A Test to savour for Trott

“It’s a very important Test match and it’s one that I will definitely savour,” said the batsman.

“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. I work really hard on my game and it’s a good feeling 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. England now need to win only one of the remaining two Tests to retain the Ashes and capture their first series Down Under in 23 years.

Trott recharged the England innings after Peter Siddle had revived Australian hopes with three wickets and two catches.

The paceman single-handedly had kept the Australians in the contest with the wickets of Alastair Cook, Strauss and Kevin Pietersen, before taking two great catches at fine leg off Mitchell Johnson’s bouncers.

Ponting fined for spat with Dar

Australia captain Ricky Ponting’s trouble continued after he was fined 40 per cent of his match fee by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after clashing with umpires over an unsuccessful video review during the second day of the fourth Ashes Test.

With his team struggling on the field against England, Ponting argued with umpire Aleem Dar and then spoke with the other match official Tony Hill after Kevin Pietersen was adjudged not to have edged the ball to the wicket-keeper.

The ICC said Ponting pleaded guilty to “arguing or entering into a prolonged discussion with the umpire about his decision” before adding that the matter had been determined by match referee without the need for a full hearing.

It was the fifth time Ponting, as Australian captain, has been fined by the ICC for dissent or his conduct in the last six years. His actions also earned the wrath of former England captain Mike Gatting.

Waugh tips Haddin, Paine as next captain

Former Australian captain Steve Waugh tipped wicket-keeper-batsmen Brad Haddin or Tim Paine as future national captains as pressure intensified on incumbent Ricky Ponting. The heat is on Ponting as he faces losing a third Ashes series with England. The right-hander, 36, has toiled with the bat this series notching just 93 runs in the series at 15.50, while Clarke, 29, is averaging only 22.50 from his six innings against England.

“The burning question right now is who potentially is the next captain,” said Waugh. “Clarke has been groomed for it, he’s done it in the shorter form of the game and done pretty well. But for some reason there’s question marks over him. Haddin’s had a bit of experience, but the one who I think is interesting is probably Tim Paine. He gets a few mentions.”

Australia bowler Peter Siddle

“It was a tough day, starting so far behind it was always going to be tough work. We knuckled in today and got only five wickets. The boys are still upbeat, there is still a lot of cricket to be played here.”

England batsman Jonathan Trott

“It’s an important Test match and it’s one that I will definitely savour. 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.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2010.