Melbourne, Dec. 27: Jonathan Trott posted his third century in five Ashes Tests to propel England closer to a historic series victory in the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday.
The South African-born right-hander helped swell the lead to 346 runs after the tourists batted out the entire second day to take full advantage of Australia’s record lowest total of 98 in 133 years of Ashes Tests at the famous ground.
Trott, who hit 119 on his debut in last year’s fifth Ashes Test at The Oval, has proved to be a thorn for Australia in this series with an unbeaten 135 in the first Brisbane Test. Monday’s hundred came despite a painful blow to the knee.
At the close, England were 444 for five with Trott defiant on 141 and Matt Prior on 75 in a ground record unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 158 to kill off the Australians’ hopes of salvaging the Test. “It’s an important Test match and it’s one that I will definitely savour,” Trott said. “I work hard on my game and it’s good to be able to contribute to put the team in a good position.”
Andrew Strauss’s team need to win only one of the remaining two Tests to retain the Ashes. Trott recharged the England innings after fast bowler Peter Siddle had revived Australian hopes with three wickets and two catches.
The big-hearted paceman single-handedly had kept the Australians in the contest with the wickets of Alastair Cook, Strauss and Kevin Pietersen, before taking two great catches at fine leg off Mitchell Johnson’s bouncers. Siddle had Cook caught at first slip by Shane Watson for 82 and then had Strauss caught sby a leaping Michael Hussey in the gully for 69.
Scorecard
Australia 1st innings 98
england 1st innings
A. Strauss c Hussey b Siddle 69, A. Cook c Watson b Siddle 82, J. Trott n.o. 141, K. Pietersen lbw b Siddle 51, P. Collingwood c Siddle b Johnson 8, I. Bell c Siddle b Johnson 1, M. Prior n.o.75.
Extras (b-10, lb-1, w-3, nb-3) 17
Total (in 136 overs) 444/5
Fall of wickets: 1-159, 2-170, 3-262, 4-281, 5-286.
Bowling: Hilfenhaus 29-9-72-0, Harris 25-7-83-0, Johnson 25-2-103-2, Siddle 26-8-58-3, Watson 10-1-34-0, Smith 18-3-71-0, Clarke 3-0-12-0.