Australia's riposte on day three begins with the early wicket of Matt Prior with the first ball of the sixth over, courtesy of a simple catch for the repentant Ricky Ponting at mid-on
It's a soft dismissal for the England wicketkeeper, who spoons the easiest of catches for Ponting as he misjudges a straight drive, falling 15 runs short of what would have been his fourth Test hundred
But Australia's hopes of steam-rolling the remaining four England wickets suffer a major setback when Ryan Harris breaks down in the seventh over of the day with an ankle injury, ruling him out for the rest of the innings
But once again Jonathan Trott maintains his exceptional concentration, calmly adding the six runs he requires to notch his second Test score of 150 or more, much to the delight of the English contingent in the stands
Graeme Swann brandishes the long handle in an entertaining 28-ball knock of 22 before his innings is brought to an end when Brad Haddin snags an excellent one-handed take from a thick top edge off Ben Hilfenhaus
Tasmanian Hilfenhaus collects only his third wicket of the series when he cleans up Chris Tremlett's stumps with a fast inswinging yorker before James Anderson falls in similar circumstances as England are dismissed for 513
Trott remains unbeaten at the MCG, walking off to a rapturous applause from both England and Australian fans as he finishes on 168, an innings which features 13 boundaries from 345 deliveries
Opener Phil Hughes, whose so-called flawed technique has become a talking point in commentary boxes, makes an nervy start but finds his rhythm alongside Shane Watson as Australia make a solid start
But England are given a huge fillip during Graeme Swann's second over when Watson misjudges a quick single call as Hughes is run out following a smart piece of fielding from Trott in the covers at 53-1
But after a steady start, Australia's middle-order is ripped apart by an inspired spell of bowling by Tim Bresnan, who removes Watson, Ponting and Mike Hussey in quick succession to leave the hosts reeling at 104-4
Bresnan's control and variation is impressive, offering no width for the batsmen to free their arms while displaying his reverse swing skills as he finishes his second spell with 3-17 from seven eventful overs
The flamboyant Graeme Swann snares his first wicket of the second innings as Michael is deceived by a superb delivery from around the wicket, prodding an outside edge to a grateful Andrew Strauss at second slip
Despite Australia's precarious situation, Steven Smith plays with freedom, throwing his bat at any ball offering width outside off stump before he drags a short ball on to his stumps off James Anderson on 38
Brad Haddin has the dubious honour of coming out to bat on Tuesday alongside Mitchell Johnson with England fully expecting to wrap up their first series win in Australia in 24 years
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