By Jonathan Agnew BBC cricket correspondent

The day was dominated by Marcus North

It seems inconceivable that the outcome of this match will be anything other than an overwhelming Australian victory.

After such a torrid first day, it had been hoped that England's bowlers would do what they could to make amends on the second morning.

It was still a long shot, but if they could bowl Australia out by lunch, the lead might still have been relatively manageable.

Instead, it was more of the same as in a desperate first hour Australia added 72 runs from 15 overs without losing a wicket. That's a good start to a one day international!

Eleven fours were struck, and England's bowlers were every bit as profligate as they had been on the first day.

They took such a pasting that one wonders how they will shape up at the Oval - a game that is now the equivalent of a cup final.

Steve Harmison continued to bowl too short and James Anderson looked alarmingly low on confidence. Stuart Broad, though, plugged away and, while his 6 wicket haul flattered him, he stuck to the task.

The day was dominated by Marcus North who scored his second hundred in the series - to go with his 96 at Edgbaston - and Michael Clarke, who made 93.

Uncomplicated, North has a very good idea where his off stump is and he and Clarke snuffed out any hopes England had of forcing an opening by adding 107 before lunch.

606: DEBATE If this is the best we have then we have nothing to lose, we have no future at this standard of cricket ossyrules

North was the last man dismissed as he unselfishly aimed to hit Broad out of the ground, despite everyone being on the boundary.

And that after Stuart Clark had struck three sixes, one of which disappeared high over the temporary scaffolding at the Kirkstall Lane End. It was a massive hit.

At least when England began their second innings, facing an impossible task, Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook showed good judgement and looked to be enjoying what unquestionably are more benign conditions.

But after Strauss was trapped lbw to Ben Hilfenhaus for 32, Ravi Bopara was adjudged lbw to the next ball when Hotspot immediately showed an inside edge.

I am opposed to the use of technology, but moments like that are increasingly difficult to justify.

Still, with three wickets falling swiftly after, England can hardly blame one poor decision for the fact they are now well and truly staring down the barrel.

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