England captain Andrew Flintoff reaches his half-century in the sixth over of the morning, knowing there is much to do

And Flintoff's job gets harder when Paul Collingwood adds two to his overnight score before getting out to Glenn McGrath

England's plight worsens when Brett Lee removes Chris Read for two, and follows up by getting Sajid Mahmood first ball

Steve Harmison frustrates the Australian bowlers for 50 minutes, before Stuart Clark traps him leg before for two

Flintoff's resistance is ended when he edges Clark to Adam Gilchrist on 89 as England deteriorate further to 291-9

And England's capitulation is completed with no further runs added when Monty Panesar is leg before to Shane Warne

The wicket marks another milestone for the mecurial leg spinner - it is his 1,000th international dismissal

Australia openers Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer race to the middle and negotiate one over before lunch without loss

Langer is the more positive after the break and races to 26 off just 24 deliveries while Hayden trundles to four

But Langer plays a loose shot to a leg-side James Anderson delivery and is caught by Chris Read - Australia 34-1

Ricky Ponting strides to the crease and takes the attack to England as Australia reach 100-1 before the tea break

That becomes 100-2 though when Hayden chases a wide Harmison delivery straight to Collingwood at second slip

After tea, Ponting continues where he left off, but then tries a quick single - this one is going to the third umpire

Replays prove it to be a suicidal run as Anderson's direct hit finds Ponting short of his ground and Australia are 118-3

Monty Panesar is enjoying an interesting tussle with Michael Hussey as England apply pressure in the evening session

And the pressure tells when Michael Clarke is cramped for room by a rising Harmison delivery and edges to Read

But before Andrew Symonds has time to leave the pavillion, rain begins to fall and the players are off the field for an hour

When play resumes, Hussey leaves nobody in any doubt as to his intentions for the rest of the day's play

Nobody except Symonds that is, who unbelievably decides to take on Panesar in the final over and almost pays the penalty

Panesar can barely believe it as the ball loops over gully to safety and Australia reach stumps on day two on 188-4

Meanwhile, Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson calls for the Ashes urn to remain with the victorious team at a press conference