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MELBOURNE - Australia set England a massive task to save the fourth Ashes cricket test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after establishing a lead of 260 runs on the first innings.
The home side were bowled out for 419 after adding 47 runs in the first hour of day three, which gave them a big lead over England's first innings score of 159.
Allrounder Andrew Symonds failed to build on his big maiden century, and added only two more runs before he was caught behind for 156 off Steve Harmison's bowling in the fourth over of the day.
Shane Warne made up for that letdown and thrilled the crowd with a dashing 40 not out (six fours) in what could be his final innings at his home ground before retirement.
Warne was left stranded when No 11 Glenn McGrath was out for a duck.
McGrath's duck was his 35th in test cricket and put him ahead of Warne (34) in an interesting aside in what will be their last tests in Sydney next week.
England wicketkeeper Chris Read's two dismissals this morning gave him six catches for the innings, only the fifth occurrence of the feat in an Ashes test.
England will start their second innings in cool, cloudy conditions, although the pitch is expected to play well for the remainder of the day.
Paceman Sajid Mahmood (4-100) finished with the pick of the figures for England having taken four of the last five wickets to fall. Captain Andrew Flintoff took 3-77 but did not bowl today.
- AAP
