England begin day two at the MCG looking for quick wickets after being skittled for a paltry 159 on Boxing Day

Matthew Hoggard causes Matthew Hayden plenty of problems early on with some superb swing bowling but gets no reward

But Andrew Flintoff soon claims his third wicket of the innings, when Ricky Ponting mistimes a pull to Alastair Cook at mid-on

And Hoggard has his just deserts when the prolific Mike Hussey is comprehensively bowled for only six

Steve Harmison and England are in full cry when the big paceman strikes in his first over to remove Michael Clarke

Hayden rides his luck to complete his half century as the Aussies reach lunch on 111-5, 48 runs behind the visitors

Nothing goes England's way in the afternoon as Hayden and Andrew Symonds start to grow in confidence

Sajid Mahmood misses a chance to run out Hayden two balls after lunch when his throw from mid-off is off target

Hayden profits to complete his 27th Test ton, while Symonds hits a fifty to put the Aussies well ahead by tea

Symonds reaches his first Test century in majestic style by hitting a huge straight six off Paul Collingwood

Hayden is the first to 150, Symonds follows around 30 minutes later as their partnership for the sixth wicket nears 300

Sajid Mahmood makes the breakthrough though with a beauty that Hayden can only edge to Read behind the stumps

Hayden has had his doubters this series and his knock of 153 could not have come at a better time for the opener

Mahmood then tempts Adam Gilchrist to chase one to Paul Collingwood at second slip for one and Australia are 364-7

Harmison is keen to get in on the wickets but Aleem Dar turns down his appeal for a caught behind against Shane Warne

The end of the day may be nigh, but Warne is in no mood to shut up shop, top-edging Mahmood over Read's head for four

Just one more over is possible and Australia negotiate it without worry as they finish day two on 372-7, a lead of 213