That was simply amazing. I mean, farking amazing. So amazing it defies words.
Commentary
2nd Test: Australia v England at Adelaide, Dec 1-5, 2006
England 1st innings
Full innings comms
Fours | Sixes | Wickets
AJ Strauss 14
AN Cook 27
IR Bell 60
PD Collingwood 206
KP Pietersen 158
A Flintoff 38*
GO Jones 1
AF Giles 27*
B Lee 1/139
GD McGrath 0/107
SR Clark 3/75
SK Warne 1/167
MJ Clarke 0/53
Australia 1st innings
Full innings comms
Fours | Sixes | Wickets
JL Langer 4
ML Hayden 12
RT Ponting 142
DR Martyn 11
MEK Hussey 91
MJ Clarke 124
AC Gilchrist 64
SK Warne 43
B Lee 7*
SR Clark 0
GD McGrath 1
MJ Hoggard 7/109
A Flintoff 1/82
SJ Harmison 0/96
JM Anderson 1/85
AF Giles 1/103
KP Pietersen 0/32
England 2nd innings
Full innings comms
Fours | Sixes | Wickets
AJ Strauss 34
AN Cook 9
IR Bell 26
PD Collingwood 22*
KP Pietersen 2
A Flintoff 2
GO Jones 10
AF Giles 0
MJ Hoggard 4
SJ Harmison 8
JM Anderson 1
B Lee 2/35
GD McGrath 2/15
SK Warne 4/49
SR Clark 1/22
Australia 2nd innings
Full innings comms
Fours | Sixes | Wickets
JL Langer 7
ML Hayden 18
RT Ponting 49
MEK Hussey 61*
DR Martyn 5
MJ Clarke 21*
MJ Hoggard 1/29
A Flintoff 2/44
AF Giles 1/46
SJ Harmison 0/15
JM Anderson 0/23
KP Pietersen 0/7
Filtered commentary - Australia 2nd innings
0.1 Hoggard to Langer, no run, over the wicket and that's driven to cover where it's a good stop from Giles, pouncing forward
0.2 Hoggard to Langer, FOUR, smashed a good-length delivery outside off in front of midwicket for four
A man goes back on the cover-point boundary
0.3 Hoggard to Langer, 1 run, hit out off the back foot to backward point - Australia starting as they mean to go on
0.4 Hoggard to Hayden, 3 runs, not convincingly struck, taken from outside off and biffed through mid-on, but Australia will take those runs and the fans cheer each and every one
This is one-day stuff and remember Hoggard doesn't play one-dayers for England...
Hoggard's lost his straight catcher, and has cover at mid-on
0.5 Hoggard to Langer, 1 run, dropped short, a touch outside off and that's flashed hard to the man at deep point for just a single
0.6 Hoggard to Hayden, 1 run, a touch slower, Hayden waits, comes forward and drives that out to mid-on to end a fabulous opening over from Australia's perspective
Flintoff opening up now, let's see if his ankle holds up
End of over 1 (10 runs) - Australia 10/0
ML Hayden 4* (2b) MJ Hoggard 1-0-10-0
JL Langer 6* (4b 1x4)
1.1 Flintoff to Hayden, 1 run, round the wicket straight away, that's pitched up there but well dug out and bunted out to mid-off for a quick single
Slip, gully, man out on cover-boundary and on square-leg boundary
1.2 Flintoff to Langer, 1 run, that's on middle-and-leg and worked to square - Flintoff seems OK, though, with regard to his ankle
1.3 Flintoff to Hayden, no run, oooh! Pushed up there and that was a chance at the non-striker's end, Pietersen running quickly on to it from mid-off, picked it up quickly and sharply threw back at the stumps, missing by centimetres - agonising for England
1.4 Flintoff to Hayden, 1 run, on a good length but even so that's tip-and-run out to mid-on
1.5 Flintoff to Langer, no run, pushed up again for some quiet defence this time
1.6 Flintoff to Langer, no run, banged in short, it doesn't get up but Flintoff gets away with it as Langer belts that one off the back foot straight into the ground
1.6 Flintoff to Langer, no run, banged in short, it doesn't get up but Flintoff gets away with it as Langer belts that one off the back foot straight into the ground
Super-charged atmosphere out there right now, with Australia really off to a flyer. 155 runs required from 34 overs, at a rate of 4.56 now. A lid is coming out for Jones, who could very well be standing up to the stumps for Hoggard, as he did in the first innings
End of over 2 (3 runs) - Australia 13/0
JL Langer 7* (7b 1x4) A Flintoff 1-0-3-0
ML Hayden 6* (5b) MJ Hoggard 1-0-10-0
2.1 Hoggard to Hayden, 1 run, staying over, that's angled across the left-hander on off stump and that's driven out to wide mid-off for a quick single
2.2 Hoggard to Langer, OUT, short, wide, but gone! Bell at gully has snaffled that one as Langer throws his hands at a low cut and he's on his way. Now then, there's a glimmer for England - a dull one, still - but nevertheless that could change the complexion of this innings a touch. Not Hoggard's finest moment with the ball, that, but he won't care right now and neither will England
JL Langer c Bell b Hoggard 7 (8b 1x4 0x6) SR: 87.50
2.2 Hoggard to Langer, OUT, short, wide, but gone! Bell at gully has snaffled that one as Langer throws his hands at a low cut and he's on his way. Now then, there's a glimmer for England - a dull one, still - but nevertheless that could change the complexion of this innings a touch. Not Hoggard's finest moment with the ball, that, but he won't care right now and neither will England
JL Langer c Bell b Hoggard 7 (8b 1x4 0x6) SR: 87.50
Ponting is scraping out his guard and doing some gardening, a bit of shuffling, some stretching. He doesn't seem in a massive rush, though he's got a lot of energy about him
2.3 Hoggard to Ponting, no run, shortish ball pitching outside off and Ponting is quick to defend that one, and he does it strongly, too
2.4 Hoggard to Ponting, no run, "Ooh, yes Hog!" goes the cry as that one pitches on a good length forcing yet more defence
Flintoff having a word with Umpire Bucknor over the ball - it's gone out of shape... already! It's 16 deliveries old! Bucknor's unimpressed, sends Flintoff away, and the England captain is roundly booed for his efforts
2.5 Hoggard to Ponting, 1 run, pitches straight and is turned into midwicket. "In on it, Kev" suggests the very wise Jones, prompting Pietersen to chase after it and return
2.6 Hoggard to Hayden, 1 run, hit out to the man just inside the cover-point boundary who relays it back in without fuss
End of over 3 (3 runs) - Australia 16/1
ML Hayden 8* (7b) MJ Hoggard 2-0-13-1
RT Ponting 1* (3b) A Flintoff 1-0-3-0
3.1 Flintoff to Hayden, FOUR, powerful drive down the ground and Anderson gives chase in vain, pulling up ten metres short as the ball bobbles over the rope. Not a lot of timing, just leans on that one and it races away
3.2 Flintoff to Hayden, 1 run, angles that in at the left-hander just outside off and that's nibbled out to long-on
3.2 Flintoff to Hayden, 1 run, angles that in at the left-hander just outside off and that's nibbled out to long-on
Umpire Koertzen is having a word with England for throwing the ball into the dirt at every moment... though that's legal
3.3 Flintoff to Ponting, no run, extra bounce and zip from Flintoff as that pitches on a good length, rears a tad at Ponting whose bottom hand flies off the bat handle as the ball crashes into the right index finger. He takes off his glove to examine, but is soon ready to face again
3.4 Flintoff to Ponting, 1 run, sets off as soon as he's worked that out to point
3.5 Flintoff to Hayden, no run, allows that one to fly down the channel on the rise
3.6 Flintoff to Hayden, no run, forces Hayden on to the back foot to defend, who does so strongly, but then rehearses the air-shot a few times just to make sure
Shane Warne has been talking to Channel 9: "The boys know what to do. We're quietly confident. There's a good mood in the changing room. We gave them no runs, and their attitude this morning was just to survive. We all thought, if we can get two or three, we'll put them under pressure. We just wanted to say, we're still here.
"The run-out was key. It was a needless wicket, and then when we got Pietersen, every ball was a hand-grenade. I'm knackered, but lucky I'm a good athlete. It would have been nice to get a five-for, but I was really happy for Glenn McGrath, waited a long time to get that wicket, he's a true champion.
"Now we need to be nice and aggressive. That wicket wasn't part of the gameplan, but Ricky's the best player in the world, this is his stage. Do I want a bat?! No way, I want a toasted sandwich and some cake!" And indeed he's immediately spotted on the balcony troughing on some pizza - well deserved, nevertheless.
End of over 4 (6 runs) - Australia 22/1
ML Hayden 13* (11b 1x4) A Flintoff 2-0-9-0
RT Ponting 2* (5b) MJ Hoggard 2-0-13-1
4.1 Hoggard to Ponting, no run, tighter and that's squeezed to mid-off where Anderson picks it up
4.2 Hoggard to Ponting, no run, tries to drive that one quickly to the cover but it's collected easily
4.3 Hoggard to Ponting, 1 run, slower ball, driven to mid-off where a tumbling Harmison commando-rolls to his right and does an excellent job of cutting off the boundary
4.4 Hoggard to Hayden, 1 run, drags that down a touch and Hayden wastes no time dinking that one to square
4.5 Hoggard to Ponting, FOUR, that one strays down leg, rubbish really, and that's well worked off the legs by Ponting. Meat and drink to him, not to mention bread and butter
4.6 Hoggard to Ponting, no run, drags that a touch short again, it wobbles in the air and swings away from the right-hander who fends it into the gully region
Giles is being asked to warm up here
End of over 5 (6 runs) - Australia 28/1
RT Ponting 7* (10b 1x4) MJ Hoggard 3-0-19-1
ML Hayden 14* (12b 1x4) A Flintoff 2-0-9-0
5.1 Flintoff to Hayden, no run
5.2 Flintoff to Hayden, FOUR, four, huge biff across the line, that's cleared the infield and straight through cow corner
5.3 Flintoff to Hayden, no run, played out to midwicket, big intentions, but no run there
5.4 Flintoff to Hayden, 1 no ball
5.4 Flintoff to Hayden, OUT, massive swing across the line and it's a steepling top-edge. Paul Collingwood runs back from short midwicket, steadies himself, and that a brilliant catch. Collingwood was judging that, just watching it come over his shoulder. Hayden is gone and England have a slight sniff
ML Hayden c Collingwood b Flintoff 18 (17b 2x4 0x6) SR: 105.88
Hussey comes in at No 4, Martyn dropping down
5.5 Flintoff to Ponting, no run, explodes off a length and sways away
5.6 Flintoff to Ponting, no run, and that one kept a fraction low. England aren't out of this contest yet ...
4.5 now the required run-rate and Giles is on to bowl, as Australia need 135 off 30. Collingwood is geeing up the field here
End of over 6 (5 runs) - Australia 33/2
RT Ponting 7* (12b 1x4) A Flintoff 3-0-14-1
MEK Hussey 0* (0b) MJ Hoggard 3-0-19-1
6.1 Giles to Hussey, no run, on leg and it turns away from Hussey
6.2 Giles to Hussey, no run, similar delivery on leg and it turns away from Hussey who thinks about chasing it
6.3 Giles to Hussey, 1 run, he's on to it this time, attackingly smacking it to the man square in the deep
6.4 Giles to Ponting, no run
6.5 Giles to Ponting, no run, defended forward this time
6.6 Giles to Ponting, 2 runs, that one bounces on leg and that's some very quick running for two as the ball flies out square on the off-side
End of over 7 (3 runs) - Australia 36/2
RT Ponting 9* (15b 1x4) AF Giles 1-0-3-0
MEK Hussey 1* (3b) A Flintoff 3-0-14-1
7.1 Flintoff to Hussey, 1 run, over the wicket to the lefthander, angles that one across and it's tickled into cover
7.2 Flintoff to Ponting, 1 no ball, oversteps with the effort and that's pushed up there, defended
7.2 Flintoff to Ponting, no run, Ponting strides across outside off to punch that to cover with a straight bat
7.3 Flintoff to Ponting, 1 run, lovely steer off the back foot to just in front of point
The 6.30 cut-off doesn't apply today, by the way. We play to a finish
7.4 Flintoff to Hussey, 1 run, hit out past cover
7.5 Flintoff to Ponting, 3 runs, driven in front of midwicket but Anderson hunts it down inside the rope. A lovely shot
7.6 Flintoff to Hussey, no run, dinked down off the back foot to gully and that's picked up easily - straight to the man
Australia need 125 runs from 28 overs - required run rate 4.46
The crowds are really getting into this match now - and they've had much to get excited about all day with some good, tense cricket on display - with fans from both sides cheering loudly
End of over 8 (7 runs) - Australia 43/2
MEK Hussey 3* (6b) A Flintoff 4-0-21-1
RT Ponting 13* (19b 1x4) AF Giles 1-0-3-0
8.1 Giles to Ponting, 2 runs, that's on off, plenty of room for Ponting to wait and cut that away off the back foot. There's no man at backward point. "That's the wrong line," thunders Botham
Slip, leg gully, short cover and midwicket, mid-on, deeper mid-off, backward square, two sweepers
8.2 Giles to Ponting, no run, 'Waiting' as Ponting nudges that along the ground to Flintoff at midwicket
8.3 Giles to Ponting, 1 run, easy singled tickled into the on-side
8.4 Giles to Hussey, no run, pushed up there this time and that's defended off the back foot, angling slightly to leg with the shot
8.5 Giles to Hussey, 1 run, two men out there but that one - an aerial pull - falls short of the man at deep midwicket
8.6 Giles to Ponting, 1 run, worked tidily off his legs behind square
Australia need 120 runs from 27 overs - required run rate 4.44
End of over 9 (5 runs) - Australia 48/2
RT Ponting 17* (23b 1x4) AF Giles 2-0-8-0
MEK Hussey 4* (8b) A Flintoff 4-0-21-1
9.1 Flintoff to Ponting, no run, that angles in at the right-hander who hit it into gully
9.2 Flintoff to Ponting, no run, ooh, ooh and that's a big shout but 'Not out' says Umpire Koertzen. Ponting tries to play across the line, taking a straight one and whipping it off his legs, but misses. That's probably going over, and perhaps even missing leg - benefit to the batsman after all
9.3 Flintoff to Ponting, 1 run, single out to the man sweeping just inside the cover boundary
Round the wicket to Hussey
9.4 Flintoff to Hussey, no run, cannons that one in the channel just outside off; it stays low and the batsman manages to get bat down on it
9.5 Flintoff to Hussey, 1 run, a touch, just a touch, short outside off and that's eased into the covers for yet another run and that brings up Australia's fifty inside ten overs
9.6 Flintoff to Ponting, 1 leg bye, unconvincingly worked off the legs, oh, with the leg - that's a leg bye - and it runs down to the 45
Australia need 117 runs from 26 overs - required run rate 4.50
End of over 10 (3 runs) - Australia 51/2
RT Ponting 18* (27b 1x4) A Flintoff 5-0-23-1
MEK Hussey 5* (10b) AF Giles 2-0-8-0
10.1 Giles to Ponting, 1 run, pitches just outside leg and that's worked into midwicket
10.2 Giles to Hussey, 1 run, dragged down outside off and that's pulled over to square, at least that's its direction, but it crashes into the close-in Cook's thigh
10.3 Giles to Ponting, no run, defended
10.4 Giles to Ponting, 1 run, goes for the leg-side tactic, pitching that into rough; the batsman kneels down and takes his time to paddle-sweep that round behind square
10.5 Giles to Hussey, no run, a big - but admittedly lone - shout for one which pitched outside off, turned back in but was way outside the line
10.6 Giles to Hussey, 3 runs, reverse sweep brings up huge cheers as it goes round to the 45
And it's Harmison to replace Flintoff
End of over 11 (6 runs) - Australia 57/2
MEK Hussey 9* (13b) AF Giles 3-0-14-0
RT Ponting 20* (30b 1x4) A Flintoff 5-0-23-1
11.1 Harmison to Hussey, no run, good start from Harmison, over the wicket to the left-hander and that pitches straight and it's defended quietly on the back foot
11.2 Harmison to Hussey, no run, ooh, tasty - Hussey jabs at that one which leaps under his under-edge on the off-side
11.3 Harmison to Hussey, 1 run, tucked away nicely off the legs
11.4 Harmison to Ponting, no run, defended into the covers
11.5 Harmison to Ponting, no run, good length there from Harmison and that darts in at the right-hander who's forced to defend on the front foot
11.6 Harmison to Ponting, no run
End of over 12 (1 run) - Australia 58/2
RT Ponting 20* (33b 1x4) SJ Harmison 1-0-1-0
MEK Hussey 10* (16b) AF Giles 3-0-14-0
12.1 Hoggard to Hussey, 3 runs, nice shot, a late cut down to the wide third man boundary where there's a good chase from Strauss and Bell who do a lovely relay moment
Jones up to the stumps and a fly slip in place, and a short and regular cover
12.2 Hoggard to Ponting, no run, strangled shout as that one bends in at the right-hander
12.3 Hoggard to Ponting, 2 runs, drags that one down, allowing the batsman plenty of time to get over it and work it in front of midwicket
12.4 Hoggard to Ponting, FOUR, a touch short, and that's a lovely shot, angled through the seagulls behind point, with a lovely, lovely late cut. Liked that one
12.5 Hoggard to Ponting, no run, a touch wide on the off-side and there's plenty of time and room to cut that away, but that goes straight to the fielder
12.6 Hoggard to Ponting, 1 run, short, on off stick, and that's hit hard away square and that's drinks ... not it's not! Change of heart from the umpires ...
Drinks Martin Williamson will now take you through to the close. The required run rate now is 4.34 and dropping ...
End of over 13 (10 runs) - Australia 68/2
RT Ponting 27* (38b 2x4) MJ Hoggard 4-0-29-1
MEK Hussey 13* (17b) SJ Harmison 1-0-1-0
13.1 Harmison to Ponting, 1 run, flicked into the leg side for an ambled single
13.2 Harmison to Hussey, 1 run, pulled but he didn't get hold of it and it ended up trundling to wide mid-on&
13.3 Harmison to Ponting, 1 run, Harmison strays down the leg side and it's easily turned to long leg
Australia picking off singles at will
13.4 Harmison to Hussey, 2 runs, sweetly turned off his toes, good running as well to come back for a second
13.5 Harmison to Hussey, no run, angled across the left-hander and he leaves it. That prompts a chorus of approval from the fielders
13.6 Harmison to Hussey, 1 run, short-lived accuracy ... leg-side line, flicked through midwicket
Australia need 94 runs from 22 overs - required run rate 4.27. Jenny admits she put $15 on Australia at 2-1 at the start of play ... Ashley Giles comes on again to increase her chances of collecting from the bookies ...
End of over 14 (6 runs) - Australia 74/2
MEK Hussey 17* (21b) SJ Harmison 2-0-7-0
RT Ponting 29* (40b 2x4) MJ Hoggard 4-0-29-1
Gully and leg gully. No slip
14.1 Giles to Hussey, no run, one step to meet the ball and then flicked to midwicket
14.2 Giles to Hussey, 2 byes, left alone, it hits the rough and spits, striking the helmeted Jones on the shoulder and past him for byes
Square leg, short mid-on, deep mid-on, mid-off. No cover sweeper to Hussey, which is intriguing
14.3 Giles to Hussey, no run, "Bowled, Gilo," chirps Jones. Well, it was straight and a dot ball
14.4 Giles to Hussey, 2 runs, neatly reverse swept to third man
The fielders are moving this way and that, but the gaps appear to be getting bigger
14.5 Giles to Hussey, 1 leg bye, Hussey just picks his spot and ambles a single
Square leg, short mid-on, deep mid-on, mid-off. No cover sweeper to Hussey, which is intriguing
14.6 Giles to Ponting, no run, forward defensive
Australia need 89 runs from 21 overs - the required run rate continues to ease down; it's now 4.24
End of over 15 (5 runs) - Australia 79/2
RT Ponting 29* (41b 2x4) AF Giles 4-0-16-0
MEK Hussey 19* (26b) SJ Harmison 2-0-7-0
James Anderson on at the City End. The deckchairs continue to be shuffled ...
15.1 Anderson to Hussey, no run, leg side, flicked off his hip by Hussey but he doesn't connect properly and Jones makes a good diving stop
15.2 Anderson to Hussey, FOUR, short, he looked to run it through point but it was a bit close to him and he ended up dabbing it through the big gap between Jones and the one man in at third slip
No slips for Anderson. Third man, deep point, short cover, mid-off, mid-on, short midwicket, short square leg, leg-side sweeper
15.3 Anderson to Hussey, 1 run, played square on the off side
15.4 Anderson to Ponting, no run, Ponting plays that back with a ramrod-straight bat
15.5 Anderson to Ponting, no run, scooped to short midwicket
15.6 Anderson to Ponting, no run, too cramped to get any force behind an attempted steer past point and an easy stop
Australia need 84 runs from 20 overs - the required run rate continues to melt; it's now 4.2
End of over 16 (5 runs) - Australia 84/2
RT Ponting 29* (44b 2x4) JM Anderson 1-0-5-0
MEK Hussey 24* (29b 1x4) AF Giles 4-0-16-0
endless tinkering with the field
16.1 Giles to Hussey, FOUR, great shot, swept from outside off stump and the ball has enough pace to beat a despairing dive from the man running round from backward square leg
16.2 Giles to Hussey, 2 runs, driven square on the off, an immediate shout of "two" as Hussey sets off and he's as good as his word
16.3 Giles to Hussey, 1 run, dink, dropped into the off and an easy single
England's body language is in meltdown
16.4 Giles to Ponting, no run, Ponting looks to run it on the leg and a thick edge lobs just short of the man saving one on the leg-side 45
16.5 Giles to Ponting, no run, firm drive, well stopped by Giles moving quickly to his left
16.6 Giles to Ponting, 1 run, Ponting barely hit that five yards on the off but they still ran a single to Anderson and almost got overthrows into the bargain
Giles seems powerless to stem the flow of runs. He's had a wretched game ... Australia need 76 runs from 19 overs - the required run rate is now exactly 4 after that over leaked eight runs. All of the momentum is with Australia
End of over 17 (8 runs) - Australia 92/2
RT Ponting 30* (47b 2x4) AF Giles 5-0-24-0
MEK Hussey 31* (32b 2x4) JM Anderson 1-0-5-0
17.1 Anderson to Ponting, no run, outside off stump, driven to extra cover
17.2 Anderson to Ponting, FOUR, lovely shot, a cracked drive past Harmison at mid-off sends the seagulls into the air and the crowd into raptures
17.3 Anderson to Ponting, no run, Pietersen fields in the covers
Flintoff looks a beaten man ....but look at the resources he has to play with
17.4 Anderson to Ponting, 4 runs, Ponting throws his weight into that drive, and for a millisecond it looked as if it might carry to Harmison at mid-off ... but it falls just short and they run four even though the fielders catch the ball just inside the boundary
17.5 Anderson to Ponting, 1 run, clipped into the leg side. Ponting and Hussey are like cats playing with a tired mouse that has lost the will to live
17.6 Anderson to Hussey, no run, a dot ball to end the over
The run-rate's now below 4 - Australia need 3.72 runs an over - that's 67 from 18 overs. Giles gives way to Pietersen. Sums up Giles's match.
End of over 18 (9 runs) - Australia 101/2
MEK Hussey 31* (33b 2x4) JM Anderson 2-0-14-0
RT Ponting 39* (52b 3x4) AF Giles 5-0-24-0
18.1 Pietersen to Ponting, no run, straight and blocked with suspicion by Ponting
18.2 Pietersen to Ponting, no run, turned behind on the leg but straight to the man there for that very shot
18.3 Pietersen to Ponting, 1 run, Ponting waits and drops it into the leg side with soft hands
Flintoff and Pietersen chat. Do they stop the singles or the fours? At the moment they are stopping neither.
18.4 Pietersen to Hussey, no run, good ball, Hussey can only block
18.5 Pietersen to Hussey, no run, and again, flat and little spin but Hussey can't get it away
18.6 Pietersen to Hussey, 1 run, short, thumped to Cook on the midwicket boundary
Flintoff has Anderson and Giles who are out of sorts and practice ... Harmison who is just out of sorts ... the captain is carrying an ankle injury. The required run-rate is 3.82 with 17 overs remaining and Giles comes back on at the City End to see if that helps.
End of over 19 (2 runs) - Australia 103/2
MEK Hussey 32* (36b 2x4) KP Pietersen 1-0-2-0
RT Ponting 40* (55b 3x4) JM Anderson 2-0-14-0
19.1 Giles to Hussey, 1 run, he starts with a full toss and only a diving stop by Strauss on the midwicket boundary spares Giles's blushes
19.2 Giles to Ponting, FOUR, oh yes! Ponting hammers Giles over extra cover and this time Strauss can do nothing but retrieve it from in front of the advertising hoardings
19.3 Giles to Ponting, no run, Ponting comes down the pitch and chips feet short of extra cover
19.4 Giles to Ponting, no run, played back to Giles
19.5 Giles to Ponting, 1 run, chipped into the midwicket area
19.6 Giles to Hussey, no run, reverse sweep, but there's a man there for that shot and it goes straight to him
59 runs now needed at 3.69 runs per over, from 16 overs
End of over 20 (6 runs) - Australia 109/2
MEK Hussey 33* (38b 2x4) AF Giles 6-0-30-0
RT Ponting 45* (59b 4x4) KP Pietersen 1-0-2-0
20.1 Pietersen to Ponting, 2 runs, Ponting comes down to meet that, chips it over midwicket and quick running means that they come back for an easy two
20.2 Pietersen to Ponting, no run, blocked
20.3 Pietersen to Ponting, 1 run, one step, driven up to mid-off
there are few men in saving one ... England need to put some pressure on here
20.4 Pietersen to Hussey, no run, dropped into the off side and a momentary mix-up as fielders converge
20.5 Pietersen to Hussey, 2 runs, driven between cover and extra cover, again two there to the man in the deep
20.6 Pietersen to Hussey, no run, blocked, but the pressure off with each passing ball
That's drinks and there's just 3.6 runs now needed per over, with 15 overs left. England need to work out their field placements but it looks as if the horse has already bolted. The post mortems are already starting and Duncan Fletcher will be under pressure after this. He gambled on Giles and Jones and he appears to have lost.
End of over 21 (5 runs) - Australia 114/2
MEK Hussey 35* (41b 2x4) KP Pietersen 2-0-7-0
RT Ponting 48* (62b 4x4) AF Giles 6-0-30-0
Flintoff is off the field and Joyce comes on. Strauss takes charge and Giles continues from the City End
21.1 Giles to Ponting, 1 run, Ponting waits and places it into the off side. There are enough gaps for him to do that as and when he pleases
Strauss immediately talks to Giles and make sit clear that they cannot allow singles at will. Men are brought in.
21.2 Giles to Hussey, 1 run, swept to backward square leg
Now Jones moves a fielder
21.3 Giles to Ponting, no run, Ponting looks to tip and run but Pietersen in like a gazelle and Hussey sends his captain back
21.4 Giles to Ponting, OUT, Ponting looks to hit it through the covers but doesn't make a good connection and Strauss at short extra cover takes a good waist-high catch
RT Ponting c Strauss b Giles 49 (65b 4x4 0x6) SR: 75.38
TV commentary boxes get terribly excited, but not too many others do. It's too little and too late ... or is it?!
silly point, no slip for the new man
21.5 Giles to Martyn, no run, back and blocked
21.6 Giles to Martyn, 1 run, swept and Cook running in from backward square leg almost manages to dummy himself but dives and stops it at the second attempt
51 from 14 needed, at 3.64
End of over 22 (3 runs) - Australia 117/3
DR Martyn 1* (2b) AF Giles 7-0-33-1
MEK Hussey 36* (42b 2x4) KP Pietersen 2-0-7-0
"Super Freddie Flintoff," chant the Barmy Army as he comes back on the field and immediately brings himself on at the Cathedral End
22.1 Flintoff to Martyn, FOUR, Martyn takes a big stride and launches a big hit high over mid-off and the seagulls' slumber is again disturbed
Flintoff has fielders in a ring saving one for the first time. Will that add to the pressure?
22.2 Flintoff to Martyn, OUT, wide and Martyn leans back and looks to crack that through point but only hits it hard at Strauss who takes the catch. No celebrations, but England at least have a glimmer of hope now ... the odds are, however, still with Australia
DR Martyn c Strauss b Flintoff 5 (4b 1x4 0x6) SR: 125.00
22.3 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, turned to leg but the cordon closes quickly
22.4 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, Clarke into line and blocks
22.5 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, Clarke pushes towards mid-on and starts off for the single but quickly realises men are converging quickly and so checks
22.6 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, good ball, Clarke can only block
Not for the first time, Flintoff leads from the front. 3.61 is now the required rate, with 13 overs remaining and 47 needed.
End of over 23 (4 runs) - Australia 121/4
MJ Clarke 0* (4b) A Flintoff 6-0-27-2
MEK Hussey 36* (42b 2x4) AF Giles 7-0-33-1
23.1 Giles to Hussey, 1 run, wide of extra cover for a single
silly point in for Clarke
23.2 Giles to Clarke, no run, good line and length, blocked
23.3 Giles to Clarke, 1 run, short, Clarke leans back and hits into the covers ... he doesn't time it but still gets the run
23.4 Giles to Hussey, 1 run, Hussey waits and flicks it into space on the leg side
23.5 Giles to Clarke, 1 run, Clarke's turn to wait, and he then turns it into space at midwicket
23.6 Giles to Hussey, no run, Hussey tries to sweep from outside off stump, misses and almost loses his off stump. He doesn't need to take risks like that at this stage
Australia are cruising here - they have 12 overs left to get the remaining 43 they need, at a run-rate of 3.58 with six wickets in hand
End of over 24 (4 runs) - Australia 125/4
MEK Hussey 38* (45b 2x4) AF Giles 8-0-37-1
MJ Clarke 2* (7b) A Flintoff 6-0-27-2
24.1 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, hit at Pietersen at silly mid-on, he misfields but no single as others rush in to mop up
KP gees them up with some clapping and a 'Come on boys' - the players' body language has just lifted a tad, here.
24.2 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, he looks to run it down to third man but bottom edges into the ground
24.3 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, driven to mid-off. Clarke is creating his own pressure here ... he has time on his side but looks a bit jittery
24.4 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, angled straight to Strauss at gully
24.5 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, whipped from outside off stump to Pietersen at silly mid-on
24.6 Flintoff to Clarke, 7 runs, this time Clarke finds the gap to Pietersen's right and Hoggard chases ... he throws to Pietersen who then flings the ball at the striker's stumps ... the ball hits the stumps and from there to the boundary. What on earth was he thinking of ... there was no chance of a run-out
After that calamitous last ball, the run-rate sinks to just 3.27. Australia need 36 runs from 11 overs. Flintoff is spitting nails. A really good over which was creating pressure and then that.
End of over 25 (7 runs) - Australia 132/4
MJ Clarke 9* (13b) A Flintoff 7-0-34-2
MEK Hussey 38* (45b 2x4) AF Giles 8-0-37-1
25.1 Giles to Clarke, 1 run, driven out to a wide mid-on and they jog through
25.2 Giles to Hussey, 1 run, worked off the legs to midwicket. Hussey is so good at picking off the singles
25.3 Giles to Clarke, no run, Clarke right behind that
25.4 Giles to Clarke, no run, And once more he is happy to block it
25.5 Giles to Clarke, 1 run, Clarke works that behind square on the leg side
25.6 Giles to Hussey, no run, Giles turns that one into Hussey who ends up far too cramped for the cut he was looking to play
End of over 26 (3 runs) - Australia 135/4
MEK Hussey 39* (47b 2x4) AF Giles 9-0-40-1
MJ Clarke 11* (17b) A Flintoff 7-0-34-2
26.1 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, left alone
26.2 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, short, down the leg and Jones takes at chest height
26.3 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, played into the off side and the fielders rush in to prevent the one
26.4 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, short and wider down the leg that the one two balls earlier, this time Jones has to leap to this left to gather. Steve Bucknor looks but that's not a wide in Tests
26.5 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, into the off side. Five dot balls from Flintoff again. Can he make it six?
26.6 Flintoff to Clarke, 2 runs, no! Turned off his legs and a yell of "two" which he gets as the ball ends up midway between fielders
A tighter over, two off it, but still just 31 needed from nine overs, at 3.44 per over.
End of over 27 (2 runs) - Australia 137/4
MJ Clarke 13* (23b) A Flintoff 8-0-36-2
MEK Hussey 39* (47b 2x4) AF Giles 9-0-40-1
27.1 Giles to Hussey, FOUR, swept with real venom, he hit that so hard and with such placement that the two men in the deep had no chance
27.2 Giles to Hussey, no run, this time he hits straight at the man at square leg
27.3 Giles to Hussey, 1 run, swept into the deep once more but Pietersen fields to ironic cheers from the crowd after his overthrows earlier
27.4 Giles to Clarke, 1 run, lofted drive, cries of "catch it", but it was safe
27.5 Giles to Hussey, no run, turned to midwicket, Clarke wanted the run but Hussey was having none of it and Clarke had to turn sharply and scramble back to safety
27.6 Giles to Hussey, no run, played into the leg side but this time the consensus is no run
Run rate is 3.13. Eight overs, with 25 required
End of over 28 (6 runs) - Australia 143/4
MEK Hussey 44* (52b 3x4) AF Giles 10-0-46-1
MJ Clarke 14* (24b) A Flintoff 8-0-36-2
28.1 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, a snorter to start, it spits at Clarke who has to react quickly to get bat and hands out of the way
28.2 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, Clarke shuffles to leg but his drive finds the man at extra cover
28.3 Flintoff to Clarke, 1 run, helped round the corner by Clarke off his thighpad, an unconvincing shot but it's about runs and not style at this stage
28.4 Flintoff to Hussey, FOUR, threaded between the two slips, quite deliberate and a lovely shot
28.5 Flintoff to Hussey, 3 runs, Hussey aimed a pull but it didn't bounce as much as expected and he edged, via thigh pad, between keeper and slip all along the ground
His seventh Test fifty, this one from 54 balls
28.6 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, turned to Pietersen at short mid-on and an immediate yell of "No!"
The finishing line is in sight. Just 17 runs required from seven overs now. Australia cantering here, with the required run-rate now a paltry 2.43
End of over 29 (8 runs) - Australia 151/4
MJ Clarke 15* (28b) A Flintoff 9-0-44-2
MEK Hussey 51* (54b 4x4) AF Giles 10-0-46-1
Giles out of the attack and now Harmison into the attack.
29.1 Harmison to Hussey, no run, short, Hussey misses with an attempted hook and is struck on his shoulder. He was through the shot by the time it arrived ... how times change
29.2 Harmison to Hussey, 1 wide, when the going gets tough, the tough bowl a wide. Not in the Brisbane class, but still wide enough
29.2 Harmison to Hussey, 1 run, placed into the point region
29.3 Harmison to Clarke, no run, Clarke blocks on the back foot
29.4 Harmison to Clarke, 2 runs, Harmison drifts down the leg side and Clarke works that to deep square leg and comes back for the second even though Bell was on it quickly
29.5 Harmison to Clarke, no run, off stump, left alone
29.6 Harmison to Clarke, 2 runs, again Harmison loses his bearings and sprays the ball down the leg, and again Clarke makes the most of it by finding space behind square
Six overs, 11 runs; more than enough time for Australia to walk to the win should they choose. For what it's worth, the required run-rate is less than two.
End of over 30 (6 runs) - Australia 157/4
MJ Clarke 19* (32b) SJ Harmison 3-0-13-0
MEK Hussey 52* (56b 4x4) A Flintoff 9-0-44-2
30.1 Anderson to Hussey, 1 run, prodded to deepish cover
Ian Botham in full rant. "People are asking questions," he says. "I'm asking questions." He doesn't actually tell us what the question is though. He's almost in his Trueman "what's going off out there" mode. It's coming ...
30.2 Anderson to Clarke, no run, played into the ring of fielders on the off
30.3 Anderson to Clarke, no run, left alone
30.4 Anderson to Clarke, no run, Clarke into line, no need for any risks
30.5 Anderson to Clarke, no run, slid defence
30.6 Anderson to Clarke, no run, a low-key over, but that's not a worry for Australia
"Ten runs needed from five overs - that's exactly two required an over, obviously," says Jenny after checking on the calculator on her mobile phone
End of over 31 (1 run) - Australia 158/4
MJ Clarke 19* (37b) JM Anderson 3-0-15-0
MEK Hussey 53* (57b 4x4) SJ Harmison 3-0-13-0
31.1 Harmison to Hussey, no run, decent line, no run
31.2 Harmison to Hussey, 1 run, indecent line ... leg side, and helped on its way. Harmison looks cross, as well he might
31.3 Harmison to Clarke, 1 run, Clarke onto the back foot, takes the pace off the ball and ambles a single as he places it wide of point
31.4 Harmison to Hussey, no run, played up to short extra cover
31.5 Harmison to Hussey, no run, a loose drive beats the bat and Jones hints at an appeal but realises it missed the edge and thinks better of it
31.6 Harmison to Hussey, no run, prodded to extra cover
"Just the eight runs required and Australia have four overs to get them in," quips Thompson. She doesn't offer the run rate this time ...
End of over 32 (2 runs) - Australia 160/4
MEK Hussey 54* (62b 4x4) SJ Harmison 4-0-15-0
MJ Clarke 20* (38b) JM Anderson 3-0-15-0
32.1 Anderson to Clarke, 1 run, inside edge, Jones, diving to left spills the chance. Those are hard for keepers, but he got one hand to it and arguably should have got both there. It's academic as far as the result is concerned but it's another mistake on a dismal day for England
32.2 Anderson to Hussey, 2 runs, crisply driven to the cover boundary
32.3 Anderson to Hussey, no run, blocked
32.4 Anderson to Hussey, FOUR, Hussey leans back and hammers that with a short-arm pull high over wide mid-on, He punches the air ... almost there ...
32.5 Anderson to Hussey, 1 run, that's it ... Hussey drives through extra cover and punches the air and jumps around as well he might. Australia, seemingly down and out after two days, have recorded a remarkable win. Handshakes all round, and the grinning Australians emerge from the pavilion to meet the hangdog English side at the boundary edge ...
That the end of a remarkable Test, and we now have a nine-day break before it all starts again at Perth. From me, Martin Williamson, be Will Luke and Jenny Thompson thanks for joining us and for all your kind emails. Join us on Thursday week when we start all over again. Goodnight.
Post-match Andrew Flintoff: "We played a lot of good cricket apart from an hour today. I was pleased with the side we went into this match with. I'm not in a great mood at the moment .... we've got to bounce back."
Ricky Ponting: "We've worked exceptionally hard... to turn it round today was an amazing effort. We've just shown how good a team we are and we've answered all the critics."
Duncan Fletcher: "One bad session can cost you the match. I've got to speak to the batters and ask why they closed up ... the instructions were to have a go like we did yesterday. We included Giles because we wanted to bat to No. 8 ... we think Ashley can do a better job at that."
Man of the Match Ricky Ponting
Presentations and the like coming soon ... in the meantime, check out the day's photo gallery ... If you want to chat to the commentators, then click here ... but be kind, it's been a long five days ...
Australia embark on a lap of honour as the ground, which has filled up as the day has gone on, stands to acknowledge them.
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