Sport - The Ashes Days 2 and 3. Australia take control.

Mr Cricket batters England.

It couldn't be much worse for the much hyped England. Having started the Ashes as thinly veiled favourites - to themselves at least - the scorecard by the end of day three told a reciprocal tale. At close on day two the card didn't look that threatening. Australia 220-5 and about to face the new ball. But the important bit read Hussey 81*, Haddin 22*. Both went on to make centuries and dominate a luckless England bowling attack eventually compiling a stand of 307 to break England's hearts if not their backs. The innings closed on 481 and Strauss and Cook were left to negotiate a nervous 15 overs, none more nervous than Strauss who survived a referral first ball.

That first hour of the third day was decisive. Anderson bowled out of his skin and got absolutely no reward for his efforts. When people drag up two-dimensional statistics showing Anderson to be comparatively ineffective away from the seam and swing of an English summer they completely forget about days like these. On another day Anderson would have had two or three wickets before lunch. Cricket fates are built on such slim margins.

Hussey won't care. Although he'll surely regret getting himself out tamely on 195 with a loose pull. Haddin had already departed for 136 and though Finn succinctly mopped up the tail it was all about 195 runs too late for the health of England's game. Finn took 6-125 and Swann weighed in with a couple of wickets having suffered a serious assault on his bowling for the first four overs. Despite their battering England's bowlers showed great mental fortitude. Now it's the turn of their batsmen to do the same.

Steve Finn, career best six wickets at the Gabba.