Australia on Top as England Flounders
England’s dream of keeping the Ashes took a blow as they were dismissed for their lowest Ashes score since 1997 as Australia seized control of the fourth Test with a strong display at Headingley. England, without Andrew Flintoff, opted to bat first but slumped to 72-6 at lunch and were all out for 102. Stuart Clark took 3-18 before Peter Siddle (5-21) blew away the tail.
Ricky Ponting hit 78 and Shane Watson 51 in a brilliant stand of 119 as Australia batted well in challenging conditions to reach 196-4 in reply.
In just one day of cricket, they put themselves in such a strong position that it is difficult to work out an obvious way in which England, whose bowling was also well below its best, can avoid defeat. In the morning session alone, the hosts collapsed in a two-hour horror-show that may prove key should Australia win here and set up a decider at The Oval. England had gone into the Test clutching a 1-0 lead with two to play as they looked to win back the urn lost in 2006-07 after a 5-0 whitewash in Australia.
