The Ashes: Ponting fined over ugly clashes

MELBOURNE - Australia captain Ricky Ponting has been fined 40 per cent of his match fee for ugly clashes with the umpires on day two of the fourth Ashes test.

It was a day that did not go well for Ponting as England pushed out to a commanding 346-run advantage.

England will resume today at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 5-444 in reply to Australia's embarrassing first-innings record low of 98.

Jonathan Trott (141 not out) and Matt Prior (75 not out) shared an unbeaten partnership of 158, a sixth-wicket record for England at the MCG.

An England victory would give the tourists a 2-1 lead in the five-match series and they would retain the Ashes.

This would add to the pressure on selectors to dump the under-siege Ponting.

The International Cricket Council said last night Ponting was found guilty of breaching its code of conduct by getting into heated arguments with umpires Aleem Dar and Tony Hill after Kevin Pietersen was given not out while on 49 by the video referee.

Ponting had pleaded guilty to the charge, meaning the fine could be imposed by match referee Ranjan Madugalle without a full hearing.

"Ricky's actions as captain of his country were unacceptable," Madugalle said.

"A captain is expected to set the example and not get involved in a prolonged discussion with the on-field umpires and question their decision."

Madugalle said Ponting had apologized for his behavior.

South Africa-born Trott's 211-ball hundred before 67,149 fans was his second for the series and third in five tests against Australia.

Home-town hero Peter Siddle was a dominant force, taking 3-58 from 26 overs and grabbing two spectacular catches before England steadied after the tea break.

Resuming on 0-157, England lost openers Alastair Cook (82) and Andrew Strauss (69) in the morning session.

Cook fell 18 runs shy of his third century of the series, caught at first slip after an opening stand of 159 with Strauss.

Four overs later, Siddle struck again as his alarming bounce had Strauss top-edging to gully.

Pietersen, who survived a caught-behind appeal on 49 was lbw to Siddle for 51.

Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin convinced Ponting to call for a video review of the Pietersen caught-behind decision. But the referral was unsuccessful.

A furious Ponting demanded to know from umpire Aleem Dar, then his counterpart, Kiwi Tony Hill, why it was not out. Ponting also had an angry exchange with Pietersen, amid loud booing from the crowd.

Mitchell Johnson (2-103) picked up the wickets of Paul Collingwood (8) and Ian Bell (1). Johnson thought he had struck again to have Prior caught behind for five. But in a blow to Australia, Dar told Prior to stay at the crease while he called for a video review which showed the bowler had over-stepped and no-balled.

Australia
First innings 98
England
First innings 5-444

- AAP