Evening Session

Australia couldn't sustain their (sometimes misguided) afternoon aggression as Jonathan Trott batted on and on while Matt Prior realised that it was his day and he might as well cash in.

Their partnership is already worth 158 and it's taken England to 444-5 and a lead of 346. It all means Australia are now mere spectators waiting for a declaration before trying to bat out at least seven sessions to cling on to any hope of reclaiming the urn.

Trott's unruffled 141 not out - the latter half made on one leg after a painful pad-dodging blow on the knee - deserves all the headlines, but one suspects Punter's outburst will secure top billing.

Verdict: Australia 0 England 1
Total: Australia 1 England 5

Afternoon Session

Possibly the session of the series. It had everything: runs, wickets, controversy, drama, intrigue and a talking point every other delivery.

And Australia probably just shaded it.

The session was ignited into life when Kevin Pietersen was - correctly - given not out as Brad Haddin - and only Brad Haddin - appealed for a catch.

Replays and Hot Spot (and later snicko) confirmed the original decision but Australia - led by skipper Ricky Ponting - refused to accept the original decision because there was a Hot Spot mark on KP's bat. The fact it was right at the toe - a good six inches from where ball passed bat - was information Ponting appeared unwilling to take from Aleem Dar as the Australian skipper embarked on a frankly embarrassing finger-pointing rant that is likely to result in his leaving Melbourne with wallet lightened.

But if Ponting's antics were designed to spark his flagging side into life, then it had the desired effect. Peter Siddle trapped Pietersen plumb lbw soon after before Mitchell Johnson had Collingwood (predictably) and Bell (surprisingly) caught in the deep hooking and Jonathan Trott narrowly survived a run-out appeal.

As if the session hadn't had enough to remember it by, Matt Prior nicked Johnson to Haddin and started to walk before Aleem Dar told him to wait. To the third umpire we went, and confirmation that the bowler had overstepped.

A reprieve for Prior, a big tick for Aleem Dar and a breathtaking session of Test cricket.

Verdict: Australia 1 England 0
Total: Australia 1 England 4

Morning Session

In a strange way, the perfect session for England. A couple of early wickets and plenty of other evidence to show there remains something in this pitch for the quick men - at least when there's cloud cover - before Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott knuckled down to ensure the small window of opportunity Australia thought they might have opened thanks to Peter Siddle's superb spell first thing was swiftly slammed shut once again.

Patient accumulation the order of the day as Australia's bowlers at least found some control and discipline after their nonsense yesterday evening, and Trott has now replaced Paul Collingwood as the England's premier source of such runs. Pietersen, generally, was able to rein himself in before the sight of Steven Smith's leg-spun pies proved too tempting to resist.

Verdict: Australia 0 England 1
Total: Australia 0 England 4

Dave Tickner