Live Blogs / Ed Hawkins / 03 January 2011 /

Ed Hawkins was on the sofa, in front of the TV, to take you through the action from the SCG as England looked to build on a decent day one. Follow him on Twitter here

CLOSE Eng 167-3
Australia's two fightbacks in this game haven't quite cut it. First with the bat it was all too little to late and the story was the same with the ball. The removal of Kevin Pietersen late on day two gave them cheer but they remain behind the game. And the failure to make inroads when it counted - when they were batting when the new ball had gone soft and with the new ball themselves - was wasteful. Still, no great surprise there. At least Michael Beer, the debut legspinner, was neat and tidy. He could be useful in the fourth innings when England are likely to have to chase for the first time. They trail by 113 and although they should gain a lead, it does not look likely to be big enough for another crushing win. Australia [4.90], England [1.86] and the draw [3.80].

02.55 Aus 280
My work here is done. We are two bets from three at this juncture; a back-to-lay of the draw on day one and a lay of Australia to score 350. Mike Hussey let us down for top-bat. No worries though. We are on Australia at [3.60], hoping they pick up a couple of quick wickets. A classic back-to-lay. They should be able to swing the ball. Night folks.

WICKET 02.53 Aus 280
B Hilfenhaus c Prior b Anderson 34

02.50 Aus 279-9
Cook: they say he tires towards the end of the tour but the stats do not back that up. Of more concern is the bend on the new ball which could expose that weakness outside off. He is [5.10] for top bat, [2.16] for a 50 and [5.20] for a ton

Strauss: has looked in good touch throughout the series so it is surprising to see him fourth on England's top-bat chart. Likes Sydney but has new ball challenge. He is [5.20] for top-bat, [2.24] for a 50 and [5.10] for a ton.

Trott: The Warwickshire man trails Cook by 132 in the race for top England series bat. This pitch could well suit his obdurate style. He is [5.50] for top-bat, [2.10] for a 50 and [5.10] for a ton.

Pietersen: Don't fancy KP on this track. If the bounce and pace is variable he may struggle to play with his usual freedom. He is [5.00] for top-bat, [2.08] for a 50 and [4.60] for a ton. A lay for him to get 50 is our most likely wager.

Bell: Has made pretty runs. But he has not really rewarded an army of backers in this series. He is [7.00] for honours, [2.18] for a 50 and [5.60] for a ton.

Any Other; you get Colly, Prior and the rest for [8.40]. Prior might be a touch at [2.44] for a 50. Colly is in poor form, though and although he loves a battle we can't advice any faith.

02.47 Aus 279-9
This is frustrating for England. We are just waiting for Australia to be bowled out to see how our back-to-lay of the hosts goes. We are purely putting faith in Australia making use of the new ball here. Surely it is not much to ask for them to nip out a couple early to get England at around 40-2? They should be capable, particularly with Mitchell Johnson enjoying a feelgood factor after his 50. Remember Perth? No matter. if Hilfenhaus (32) continues in this vein the prices will continue to change. England are [1.83], Australia [3.80].

02.39 Aus 267-9
Michael Beer is in. Australia couldn't give a XXXX for anything else.

WICKET 02.29 Aus 265-9
M Johnson b Bresnan 53

02.25 Aus 261-8
Ooomph! Four-six from Mitchell Johnson takes the Aussie No 8 to 49 and un likely top-bat honours. This is damaging now for ENgland and has rather messed up our plans for punts. Still, I don't think Australia will drift now even if they lost qucik wickets. So let's get with them now at [3.60]. We wnat them to take early wickets with the new ball. that's all we're betting on. A back to lay.

02.20 Aus 250-8
England are very sloppy at the mo. Momentum, such a buzz word in cricket, is with Australia at the moment. As I type Ben Hilfenhaus skips down the wicket and plants Tim Bresnan over cown corner for six. Australia onto [3.70].

02.10 Aus 231-8
Come on England, wrap this up now. We want to move onto some betting options for the second innings.

LUNCH 01.31 Aus 230-8
This partnership by Hilfenhaus and Johnson is worth 41. Comeback. England were a little ragged, not really knowing whether to attack or defend. Australia [3.95], England [1.79] and the draw [5.60].

01.21 Aus 221-8
So your responses are in to the question: what did Hauritz do to upset Ponting? William Tarrant offers a talke which I'm sure I've heard somewhere before. "Slept with his ex-girlfriend but Ponting only found out a year later after he moved to Man City???"
Simon Law says "do you think the argument in India regarding fielding positions between hauritz and punter had anything to do with it?" I'd say almost certainly. Andy Lawrence was damant it was "dodgy betting tips". All good fun folks

01.03 Aus 202-8
A nice spot from Chris Dennis "90 in morning session just traded at [8.00] then [2.10]!" Meanwhile, if you fancy getting in touch to discuss the Top 5 things Hauritz did to upset Ponting, et in touch via Twitter.

00.51 Aus 190-8
Analysis of Australia's new breed...
Hughes: Love him. Although not for the reasons one might suspect. He has been a rock-solid lay for 50 every time he has come to the crease this series. The lad paid for Christmas in this house. It is his technique which is the problem. He doesn't have one. Okay, a little harsh. He gave it a good go of rectifying that on day one. His back foot - which heads to square leg - is the problem. Yesterday he was actually ok at keeping it in check, only for Tremeltt to aim one at his chest and then the bad habit kicked in. Hughes has a good eye but his technical failings need to be sorted before he plays again.

Khawaja: Like him. Had seen a bit of him before his innings on day one so talked him up accordingly. Having time as a batsman is always the hallmark of class and Khawaja has it. He is awesome of his legs, has a steady temperament and all the shots. Okay, he can get squared up but that is fixable. Australia media, of course, went overboard. He made 37. Not 137

Smith: I feel sorry for the guy because the only way he should get near a Test match is by buying a ticket on the gate. He is not ready and Australia have hindered his progress. It was laughable that at the Waca he batted at No 6 and didn't even bowl. The selectors were effectively saying that he was the sixth best batsman in the country. Then when he did bowl at the MCG - still batting at 6 - he was awful. He is a one-day player. And it shows. His dismissal a few overs ago proved it, going hard at the ball to a wide one. Brainless.

00.48 Aus 189-8
So Australia are doing the best here to confirm my belief that this is No 2 on the list of dreadful batting displays in this series. David Lloyd has said he has been "staggered" by the way Australia have played. England [1.43].

WICKET 00.45 Aus 189-8
P Siddle c Strauss b Anderson 2

WICKET 00.40 Aus 187-7
S Smith c Collingwood b Anderson 18

00.38 Aus 183-6
Mark David James has been on touch on twitter (see link above). Really interested to know your thoughts on Hughes, Khawaja and Smith." Give me a few minutes MDJ.

00.32 Aus 176-6
Have to say this is shaping up to be Australia's second worst batting performance in the series. I know they got absolutely rolled at the MCG but this wicket does not appear to be as juicy. Also, England bowled superbly whereas here they have been more perspiration than inspiration. Adelaide (first innings) takes top billing, though for sheer incompetence. Johnson does not appear to have a clue by the way as Anderson shapes one past his outside edge.

00.23 Aus 172-6
That was Collingwood's 17th Test wicket. It justifies England picking him. A genuine bonus because the new ball has only just become available. it has been taken straight away. Annoying for us because Hussey fell 12 short of Shane Watson's total. England [1.71] and they should finish this innings off quickly now. James Anderson has the cherry, looking to remove Mitchell Johnson.

WICKET 00.20 Aus 171-6
M Hussey b Collingwood 33

00.15 Aus 168-5
Poo. Have got so caught up with our heated debate about Stuart Broad that I forgot to switch over to see the mighty Oxford United's seven-goal thriller of a win against Torquay. Football at League Two is what I like to call proper football. Kick it as far as you can and run after it as far as you can. If you can't do that, kick whatever is nearest to you as hard as you can. Even if it's your own player. Paul Collingwood almost got a caught and bowled there as England use him in this role to bustle through some overs before the new cherry.

00.10 Aus 165-5
Eddy Gecko has made the most important point of the Broad 'doe he cam back?' debate. "Could you imagine the strop if he wasn't?" Excellent. I can just imagine Broad doing a double tea pot and muttering away to himself when he gets the call in his front room. No-one can see you Broady.

00.03 Aus 164-5
Nigel Owen says: "Broad straight back in. You pick your best 11 available and Broad is better than Finn and Bresnan with both ball and bat." Mark Lewis-Ranwell likes the big Yorkie lad which means bad luck for Broady. "Yes for Bresnan IMO as Tremlett cannot be dropped on these performances. Bresnan has performed very well tho."

23.55 Aus 160-5
The Broad debate is underway. Alex does not believe he is an automatic pick any more. "Maybe a taste of Derbys away for four days in a cold April might give him a gee up." New ball is seven overs away.

23.45 Aus 157-5
Just a thought about the forgotten golden boy of English cricket, Stuart Broad. He will surely struggle to get back into this side with Chris Tremlett, Tim Bresnan and Steve Finn all ahead of him in the pecking order. Test cricket should all be about the man in possession and at the momen, that isn't Broad. Finn, of course, is (was) desperately unlucky. Before the MCG he was the leading wicket-taker in the series. The fact he was jettisoned says much about where the power lay in this series.

23.36 Aus 151-5
Hussey moves on to 20. Go on my son! He is [1.75] to usurp Watson on 45 and hold on for top-bat honours. Watson is [4.00].

23.24 Aus 143-4
As promised, we'll have a look at the morning session runs. We could get about 32 overs in this extended session. Australia are [1.70] to lay for small money for 80 runs. That would be a run rate of 2.5 for the session. Their innings rate is 2.29 and over the last 10 overs they have gone at 2.3.

23.18 Aus 143-5
A very loose shot from Haddin. Poor discipline as there was no need to chase such a wide one. England go odds on at [1.93] with Australia [5.00] and the draw [3.55]. Steve Smith is the new batsman. He should feel under less pressure coming in at No 7. Smith is [3.70] for a 50.

WICKET 23.15 Aus 143-5
Haddin c Prior b Anderson 6

23.04 Aus 135-4
We had a good day yesterday. A canny back-to-lay of the draw was spot on, we laid Australia for 350 and were strong on Hussey top scoring. There is work to be done on the last two, although Hussey (12) has only Shane Watson's 45 to beat. We'll have a look at session runs markets in a mo. But first, I've got to put the washing on.

22.58 Aus 134-4
Not for the first time in this series, Australia will pin their hopes on Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin. After losing four wickets yesterday, it is fair to reckon they will be feeling under the gun again. Especially as ENgland were given a huge helping hand by the weather. Here are the prices. Australia [4.30], England [2.30] and the draw [2.96].

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