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England Show Some Fight

It has taken four days, but finally England have shown some of the skill and determination that saw them claim the Ashes 18 months ago.

Led by ‘nice guy’ Paul Collingwood (96) and the charismatic Kevin Pietersen ( 92*), England finished the day at 293-5. After Australia declared their second innings closed at 202-1, setting England the mammoth target of 648.

Australia batted on for less than 30 minutes this morning, declaring as soon as opener Justin Langer brought up his ton. Although the home team lost no wickets before declaring, they may have lost their captain, who seemed to hurt his back, and did not field for the remainder of the day.

The English openers look solid in the early stages, but Andrew Strauss sudden predilection for the pull stroke brought about his downfall for the second time in the match. This time falling to Stuart Clark for 11 (29-1).

First innings top score Ian Bell was brought back to earth, after being dismissed for a duck off a dubious LBW given to the appeal of Shane Warne (36-2).

Alastair Cook and Collingwood then played some sensible cricket, dispatching the bad ball, but showing determination to maintain their wickets. At this stage Glenn McGrath was on and off the field with a heel injury, and the Aussies seemed hell bent on dismissing the batsman with the use of the short ball.

This policy proved singularly unsuccessful and it was left to Warne to claim the wicket of Cook (43) off a bat/pad catch (91-3).

Pietersen then came to the wicket, and by the use of some sparkling foot work soon looked like taming county team-mate Shane Warne. Although good mates off the field they were involved in an ongoing verbal joust throughout the entire day.

Collingwood was also in fine touch, using the whole crease to adjust to the spin of the champion leg spinner, but alas when seemingly set for a well deserved hundred, he charged Warne and was stumped for a heart breaking 96 (244-4).

Geraint Jones joined Pietersen to see out the remainder of the day finishing on 12 not out. With talk of rain late on day five, Australia may just regret their decision not to enforce the follow-on. Either way England seem to have found some much needed batting form.

Australia 602-9 Dec
Ricky Ponting 196, Mike Hussey 86, Justin Langer 82
Andrew Flintoff 4-99

England 157
Ian Bell 50
Glenn McGrath 6-50, Stuart Clark 3-21

Australia202-1 Dec
Justin Langer 100*, Ricky Ponting 60*

England293-5
Paul Collingwood 96, Kevin Pietersen 92*
Shane Warne 4-108

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