BRISBANE, Australia, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Australia has tightened its grip on the first cricket test with three quick England wickets after declaring its first innings at 9 for 602.
Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting dominated the England bowlers on the second day of play in Brisbane before he was finally trapped lbw by Matthew Hoggard for 196. The Australian tail-end batsmen also hit out with Brett Lee scoring 43. Stuart Clark made 39 off 23 deliveries.
England captain Andrew Flintoff fared best in the attack, taking 4 wickets for 99 runs. Hoggard had 2 for 98 while James Anderson, Ashley Giles and Steve Harmison managed one wicket each.
The weary visitors were soon in trouble when Glenn McGrath dismissed Andrew Strauss for 12 and Alastair Cook for 11. McGrath was denied his hat trick by Paul Collingwood who was soon on his way back to the pavilion after scoring only five runs when he was caught behind by Adam Gilchrist off Clark.
Ian Bell (13) and Kevin Pieterson (6) survived the rest of the days play to leave England struggling at 3 for 53 at stumps.
