MELBOURNE, Dec 26 (AP): England took an iron grip on the Ashes by bowling out Australia for a record low score of 98 and then scoring 157 without loss on the opening day of the fourth Test today.
England can secure a successful Ashes defense by winning this Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and it would take an extraordinary turn of events to prevent the tourists doing that after a dominant first day today.
Sent in by England captain Andrew Strauss, Australia was bundled out for its lowest ever score against England at the MCG. All ten wickets fell to catches behind the wicket as the hosts failed to show the disciplined batting required on a seaming pitch.
England�s opening pair put on a commanding performance, with Alastair Cook on 80 and Strauss on 64 at stumps.
They showed the judiciousness and discipline that Australia�s batsmen so glaringly lacked.
SCORECARD
Australia 1st Innings: Shane Watson c Pietersen b Tremlett 5, Phil Hughes c Pietersen b Bresnan 16, Ricky Ponting c Swann b Tremlett 10, Michael Clarke c Prior b Anderson 20, Michael Hussey c Prior b Anderson 8, Steven Smith c Prior b Anderson 6, Brad Haddin c Strauss b Bresnan 5, Mitchell Johnson c Prior b Anderson 0, Ryan Harris not out 10, Peter Siddle c Prior b Tremlett 11, Ben Hilfenhaus c Prior b Tremlett 0. Extras: (LB-2, NB-5) 7. Total: (all out in 42.5) 98. Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-37, 3-37, 4-58, 5-66, 6-77, 7-77, 8-77, 9-92. Bowling: James Anderson 16-4-44-4, Chris Tremlett 11.5-5-26-4, Tim Bresnan 13-6-25-2, Graeme Swann 2-1-1-0.
England 1st innings: Andrew Strauss not out 64, Alastair Cook not out 80. Extras: (B-10, W-1, NB-2) 13. Total: (without loss in 47 overs) 157. Bowling: Ben Hilfenhaus 9-3-26-0, Ryan Harris 10-3-30-0, Mitchell Johnson 7-0-42-0, Peter Siddle 10-4-13-0, Shane Watson 5-1-14-0, Steven Smith 6-1-22-0.
