Live Commentary: The Ashes - Fourth Test, day three - as it happened

Hello everyone. England finally have something to cheer about in this miserable series following a dramatic day of Ashes cricket at the MCG yesterday. Australia will start day three of the fourth Test on 164-9, 91 runs behind the tourists.

When Mitchell Johnson recorded figures of 5-63 to restrict England to 255 in their first innings you would have forgiven the touring fans who thought that another crushing defeat was on the way. However, England's seamers hit back with a superb display to take control of the match.

James Anderson (3-50) and Stuart Broad (3-30) led the attack impressively but they were supported well by the economic Tim Bresnan, who took 2-24 from 18 overs. Ben Stokes (1-38) continued to build his reputation by taking the vital wicket of Shane Watson.

Australia have been in difficult positions before in this series but despite the efforts of Brad Haddin (43*) the hosts were unable to prevent the England seamers from taking wickets at regular intervals. Chris Rogers passed 50 for the third time in the series but he was one of a number of players who were guilty of departing due to a poor shot.

This match is set up to be a thriller. England are ahead at the moment but with only a 91-run lead they'll know that a solid batting display in the second innings is crucial if they are to win their first Test of the series. Haddin is likely to attack from the first ball today with just Nathan Lyon (0*) for support.

Alastair Cook had a very good day as captain yesterday. He was eager to set attacking fields following England's below-par total and some of his critics may have been surprised by his tactics. Anderson was quick to praise the skipper at the close of play. "I thought we fielded pretty well all day. We dived around a lot, we chased everything. I thought Alastair Cook set really good fields, we bowled to those fields and it was a really complete performance," Anderson told reporters.

England must build on their advantage today. They cannot afford to let this 10th-wicket partnership last for too long in the first session. When the tourists are asked to bat again, one of the top order must produce a big score if Australia are to be batted out of the game.

Is this sudden change of fortune due to the pitch at the MCG? The surface lacks the pace of the WACA, with the conditions much more similar to what we see in the English summer. In truth, there hasn't been a lot of movement but every batsman has struggled to look fully at home when in the middle.

There's still a lot of time left in this match, so England can afford to be patient when they begin their second innings. It might not feel the same after losing the series but a Test win should still be important to any players. Michael Clarke may well be telling his players the same thing.

It's a gorgeous day at the MCG. You definitely want to be batting in conditions like these. Cook and Michael Carberry will be desperate to get out there as soon as possible.

The players are heading out to the middle now for the start of the third day. Haddin and Lyon will want to add some valuable runs quickly. Broad has three balls left to bowl in his over from yesterday evening. Lyon on strike. Play!

Lyon keeps a straight one out before leaving the ball alone when Broad drifts slightly wider. A bouncer follows but any suggestion that the ball may have clipped the glove are quickly dismissed. Haddin 43* Lyon 0

Anderson hasn't had too many good days recently but he was excellent with the ball yesterday. The seamer starts his over by sending the ball past the edge when Haddin attempts a loose drive. Anderson finds an even better line to nip the ball away from the bat for the second time in two balls. Close! Haddin enjoys some luck when an edge drops short of Cook and races to the rope for four runs. Superb over from Anderson. Perfect line and length.

Brilliant from Anderson in the field this time as he dives to his left at mid-off to stop a firm push from Lyon. There's definitely poorer number 11s in world cricket than Lyon, who gets off the mark with a sliced shot into the off-side for one. He'll remain on strike. Haddin 47 Lyon 1*

Lyon finds his second run early in the over to hand the strike to his partner. Haddin gives himself some room but chooses to steer the ball into the off-side for a single, rather than target the mid-wicket boundary. Close! Cook's critics will keep on talking if he leaves gaps in the slips when bowling to Lyon, who earns four with an edge through third-man. A firm straight drive follows but Anderson does enough to stop the ball. The lead is 80.

Haddin takes the single on offer to deep cover. Lyon doesn't seem to mind attacking Broad outside off-stump as he plays and misses a couple of times in the middle of the over. A fuller delivery invites the drive and Lyon makes good enough contact to get the ball over point for four runs.

HALF-CENTURY! What a series Haddin is having for Australia. The experienced wicketkeeper reaches 50 once again with a single to long-on. He's been a huge part of his team's success. Anderson pulls his length back for Lyon, who frustrates the tourists with a few nibbles at the ball on its way through to Bairstow behind the stumps. The second new ball is one over away.

First change of the day from Cook as he throws the ball to Stokes. Haddin plays a perfect cover drive but picks up just one, with Pietersen doing the fielding in the deep. Lyon opens the face of the bat to steer a single past Carberry at point. A shorter ball is pulled to square-leg for two and Haddin adds a couple more with a miscued heave through mid-wicket. Pietersen fields well in the deep again to restrict Haddin to two when he drives. This partnership is starting to frustrate the tourists. Cook has taken the second new ball. The lead is 66.

Lyon gives himself some room at the start of the over but he's not even close to making contact with a loose cut shot. Superb from Bairstow down the leg-side to claim another bouncer from Anderson. That's brilliant wicketkeeping. Shot! Poor bowling. Anderson refuses to pitch the ball up in the first over with the new ball and Lyon continues to frustrate the tourists by lofting four over long-on with an outrageous shot.

Broad's rest lasts just one over as he returns to take the new ball with Anderson. The seamer can't help but laugh when Haddin drops deep in his crease to send a thick edge over the two slips to collect four runs. Another Twenty20 shot down the ground brings Haddin a single. Lyon's confidence is growing and his own lofted shot beats mid-off to bring up the 200 for the hosts. A punch off the back foot earns Australia's number two another run. Haddin backs away to steer one more single to deep point. Haddin 63* Lyon 18

Haddin gives himself room to cut the ball through third-man before earning some applause by sprinting for two runs.

Australia's innings finally comes to an end. Anderson surprises Haddin with a good bouncer and the ball hits the bat and helmet before looping to Bairstow, who takes his fourth catch. England lead by 51 runs in Melbourne.

England lost a bit of concentration and allowed Australia to add some priceless runs but they still hold the advantage in this match. They cannot afford to let this opportunity slip from here. A good start from Cook and Carberry could be crucial.

England's seamers were too short early on today but they've done well in the innings to dismiss the hosts for 204. It's time for the batsmen to take responsibility on an excellent day for batting.

This spell before lunch will be very important for both sides. If England can survive the opening burst from Harris and Johnson, they will be in complete control of the match. The game is moving very quickly and there's a lot of time to force a result. However, the tourists must still be careful not to slip into a negative mode with the bat.

Clarke hasn't seen his team in trouble on too many occasions in this series but he'll have to rally the troops now. Cook and Carberry head out to the middle looking to add a lot more to England's 51-run lead.

Cook starts the innings on strike. Harris bowls the first over. Play!

Cook is off the mark immediately when he clips three runs into the leg-side. Carberry gets a leading edge on a ball that moves in the air a touch but he's able to collect a single. Harris is too straight to Cook again and England's captain earns three more to deep mid-wicket. Carberry chases a wider one but there's not bat involved. Seven off the first over. Cook 6* Carberry 1

Huger cheers greet the announcement of Johnson's name at the MCG. Cook continues to be positive as he pulls the second ball to deep square-leg for a couple. Johnson respond with a sharp bouncer but Cook does well to keep the ball down and earn another run behind square on the leg-side. Carberry solid in defence against the quick left-arm seamer.

Cook pushes a full one from Harris to cover for a couple of runs. Shot! Perfect from the England skipper as he reaches the rope with a superb straight drive. The tourists have made a solid start to their second innings.

Johnson briefly goes back to his bad days with four wides down the leg-side. The seamer recovers well following the early error by preventing Carberry from adding more runs to the lead, which is now 71. Lyon set to come on for an early bowl after just four overs.

Lyon's over begins with Cokk picking up a single. No turn in the first over for the spinner, with Carberry looking very comfortable in defence. There's a few reports that Shane Watson might not be able to bowl today. That could make a big difference.

Changes at both ends as Peter Siddle is thrown the ball. Close! Siddle settles on a good length and Cook is caused problems for the first time when the ball nips past his outside edge. A flick off the hip hands the opener three runs to deep square-leg. They're three very important runs, too. Cook is now just the sixth man to pass 8,000 runs in Test cricket for England. At 29, Graham Gooch's run of 8,900 looks at threat from the current skipper.

Cook is also the youngest man to have reached the 8,000 mark in Test cricket, beating the great Sachin Tendulkar's record by 21 days. Very impressive. England's captain continues to bat with attacking intent and he reaches the rope with a beautiful late cut. Shot! A quick step down the crease is followed by a drive past mid-off for four more. Brilliant batting. Cook 27 Carberry 1*

Cook is also the youngest man to have reached the 8,000 mark in Test cricket, beating the great Sachin Tendulkar's record by 21 days. Very impressive. England's captain continues to bat with attacking intent and he reaches the rope with a beautiful late cut. Shot! A quick step down the crease is followed by a drive past mid-off for four more. Brilliant batting. Cook 27 Carberry 1*

There's a few optimistic appeals from the slips when the ball flicks Carberry's arm on its way through to Haddin. Siddle, just like Watson in the first innings, is targeting the Hampshire opener from around the wicket. Close! A superb over ends with the seamer sending one just past the outside edge. Maiden.

Harris returns to the attack and finds a perfect length to beat the bat as Cook attempts a loose drive. Poor shot from the England skipper, he'll know that. A slightly shorter ball is nudge through mid-wicket for a couple of runs late in the over. Cook 29 (29) Carberry 1* (25)

Siddle looks set for another accurate over to Carberry but he drifts down the leg-side to concede four leg-byes. Carberry, with just one run to his name, still looks solid in defence. 25 minutes left in the session.

Cook steers two runs through the covers at the start of a new over. The captain finds the middle of the bat again but his firm drive is easily stopped by Johnson at mid-off. Harris is left frustrated when Cook plays a defensive shot with soft hands to earn four through third-man. Cook 35 Carberry 1*

Watson is doing some warm-ups at first slip, so it looks like he will be bowling in the near future. Carberry, with one run from 37 balls, plays out a maiden to Siddle. He's going nowhere at the moment. The lead is 95.

It's Watson who comes on for his first bowl of the innings in the 13th over. The all-rounder doesn't look too enthusiastic about this part of his game. Cook stays on the back foot to punch a single to cover. Watson rarely looks completely fit, but he's certainly not at his freshest here. Shot! Carberry finally shows some attacking intent when he cuts a wider ball to the rope for four. Cook 36* Carberry 5

Cook isn't in complete control of his latest shot to the rope but the thick edge from a late cut is enough to earn him four. This pitch is a lot quicker today. There's a lot of runs to be scored. England lead by 104.

Close! Carberry is able to watch most of Watson's over pass through to Haddin but when he is forced to play, the opener is fortunate to see an edge drop just short of Clarke at second slip. Inches away from a breakthrough. Maiden over.

LUNCH: Clarke brings back Johnson for the final over of the session. Cook pulls the first ball away for a single. Johnson switches angles to target the left-handed Carberry from around the wicket but the batsman easily avoids the inevitable bouncer. A leg-slip comes in but Carberry has no interest in playing just before the interval. England's lead is 105 at the break. Cook 41* Carberry 5*

Good session for the tourists. Haddin and Lyon proved frustrating early in the day but a solid opening partnership in the second innings means that England are in control at the lunch break. Australia need a breakthrough in the second session.

England are in control and will feel like they can bat the hosts out of the game today. Join me in around 35 minutes to follow their progress.

Welcome back everyone. England are in charge of this fourth Test match but there's a lot of cricket left to be played in Melbourne. The series may be lost but Cook will be desperate to lead his team to at least one victory. They've got to take this opportunity.

Cook has looked as good as we've seen him for a long while. The England skipper will begin the session on 41 not out after passing 8,000 Test runs earlier in the day. Carberry has been much more patient and he will return with five runs to his name.

The ball did swing a little bit for Harris in his first over but in truth, we've not seen too many balls move enough to trouble the England openers. It's perfect for batting at the MCG today. The tourists will be targeting a big lead at the close of play.

The players are back out on the field following the lunch break. Watson has the ball in hand. Cook on strike. "Play," shouts Aleem Dar. Here we go again.

Watson bowls just one delivery before Clarke interrupts play to complain to the umpires about the ball. It's unclear what the problem is, but the hosts are told to continue. No trouble for Cook in the first over of the session It's a maiden. The lead is 105. Cook 41 Carberry 5*

Johnson starts his over with a short ball, which Carberry does well to guide through fine-leg for one. Cook then plays a similar shot to pick up a run of his own on the leg-side. Carberry never seems too bothered about what is going on around him as a few words from Haddin are ignored midway through the over. Memories of the previous game come back when Carberry gets bat on ball despite trying to leave the final delivery of the over. No wicket this time.

Watson catches the edge early in a new over but Cook is able to breathe a sigh of relief when the ball drops short of Clarke at slip. Shot! Don't bowl there to Cook. Watson is a fraction too short and he's punished with four runs racing behind point for four. 50! Cook reaches his half-century from 60 balls with another superb cut shot to the rope. It's been a great knock so far.

Carberry usually leaves the bouncers alone but he goes after Johnson on this occasion and misses with the hook shot. Johnson pleads with Aleem Dar to raise the finger later in the over. However, Carberry gets bat on ball to save him from being trapped lbw. Good battle between these two. Maiden over.

Lyon returns to the attack as Clarke goes in search of the control his side needs at this point. Cook pushes the spinner into the off-side for a quick single. Ouch! Carberry drops to one knee and strikes Steve Smith at short-leg with a powerful sweep. That one hurt but it looks like he's fine to continue. Lyon struggles to find the length to cause problems. Just one off the over.

Johnson fires in a good yorker to Cook, who does well to push the ball away from his stumps.

Big wicket! Johnson nips one back to hit the front pad and Aleem Dar is quick to give the lbw decision on this occasion. Cook considers reviewing but chooses to walk off instead. The England skipper will be frustrated he hasn't been able to kick on.

Joe Root comes to the crease. England need to be careful. Carberry has just six from 65 balls in this innings and we've seen Root get stuck in a hole on a couple of occasions during this series. Johnson seems to be reversing the ball slightly in this spell. DECISION OVERTURNED! Drama at the MCG. Root is given out on the field when Haddin claims a catch on the field. England's number three isn't convinced, so he reviews the decision. No edge on Hotspot. No sound on Snicko. DRS works and Root stays in the middle. None of the slips appealed, with Haddin being the only man looking convinced. Plenty of words but Root doesn't care. Wicket maiden.

England need to be positive against the spin. Some may praise Carberry for his patience but at some point the opener has to score some runs. Johnson is bowling reverse swing at 90mph, so scoring off the spinner is a must for both Carberry and Root. Watson jogs after the ball through mid-wicket as Carberry collects three at the end of the over.

Carberry finally gets into double figures with a single through square-leg. Root will know that Johnson's spell won't last for too much longer. A push through the covers allows him to get off the mark with three runs. Much better from Carberry as he rotates the strike with a quick single on the off-side. That's exactly what England need to do against Johnson. Root adds another to make it six from the over. England lead by 125.

Root takes a big step forward to push Lyon to deep cover for two runs. The spinner loses his length later in the over and Root rocks back to pull for two more. Not much turn for Lyon on this pitch. Carberry 11* Root 8

Siddle returns to the attack to replace Johnson. Carberry shows his pace with a sharp run to Warner at point. A thick edge looks set to earn Root runs to third-man but Clarke dives to his right at second slip to stop the ball. Root is eager to pierce the gaps in the field off the back foot and he picks up a couple with a push past point.

Carberry is almost in trouble when he cuts a ball too straight for the shot attempted but he gets enough bat involved to survive. Lyon finds a much better length to the left-hand opener, who is now on 12 from 80 balls. Maiden over.

Clarke is helpless at second slip on this occasion as Root earns four with an open-faced shot through third-man. Siddle goes fuller a couple of balls later but Root flicks another run to fine-leg.

It's not been a great innings to watch and Carberry is now on his way for 12 from 81 balls. The opener is once again caused problems from around the wicket as Siddle sneaks one through to get the lbw decision. Carberry decides against reviewing and England are two down. Pietersen in next.

Comical scenes during the break in play. Pietersen ran on, before running off again as the umpires checked whether Siddle's foot was over the line when he removed Carberry. After two minutes of waiting Siddle nips one back off the seam to hit his bunny on the thigh pad. Five runs and a wicket from the over. England lead by 137.

Australia on a roll! Root gifts his wicket to the hosts when he calls for a risky single to mid-off. Johnson picks up the ball quickly and hits the stumps with England's number three well short of his ground. Huge mistake from Root. Australia now have two new men at the crease.

It was a great start thanks to Cook but England are in a spot of trouble. They have to take advantage of these batting conditions. Pietersen gets off the mark by clipping Lyon to deep square-leg.

England fans, it's happening again. Bell departs for a golden duck when he chips Lyon straight to Johnson, who takes a simple catch at mid-off. Three wickets in six balls for the hosts. Pietersen and Stokes need to lead the recovery.

If he's not knocking your head off with 94mph bouncers, Mitchell Johnson is taking catches and hitting the stumps from mid-off. You just can't keep him out of the game. England are in need of a Pietersen special today. Siddle will fancy his chances but Pietersen is able to play out a maiden on this occasion. Plenty of pressure on Stokes. Can he repeat his performance from the third Test?

Stokes gets forward to defend well against Lyon before picking up his first run with a push to mid-on. Shot! Beautiful stroke from Pietersen to earn four down the ground at the end of the over. Pietersen 5 Stokes 1*

Stokes is more than happy to leave the ball when Siddle hangs a few deliveries outside of off-stump. No short-leg in place for the newest man to the crease, so a thick inside edge isn't quite as exciting as Siddle's reaction suggests. It's another maiden from the seamer.

Pietersen follows Root's example by taking a quick single to Johnson but the batsman is quick enough to make his ground before the fielder fires wide of the target with the throw. Lyon drifts the ball in the air to Stokes, who steers a couple to deep cover. Lovely ball to end the over from Lyon as the spinner hits the thigh pad with some extra bounce.

Pietersen slices a drive into a gap on the off-side for one. Close! Stokes executes the bravest of leaves when Siddle nips one back to miss the stumps by only an inch or two. The all-rounder doesn't connect fully with the pull shot but he still manages to reach the rope to bring up 100 for England. Pietersen 7* Stokes 7

Lyon's spell comes to an end as Harris returns to the attack. Pietersen picks out the fielder with a firm drive before earning two with a slightly miscued effort through point. England's number four is certainly trying to be positive, getting bat on ball in defence as well as attack. Decent return from Harris. England lead by 153.

Changes at both ends for the hosts, with Johnson replacing Siddle. There's a hint of reverse swing early in the over for the left-arm quick bowler. Close! Pietersen is not happy. Stokes calls for a very risky single to cover and Siddle is inches away from running out Pietersen. England cannot afford to make another mistake like that. Just one from the over. Pietersen 9 Stokes 8*

Stokes is eager to play as straight as possible when facing Harris. Not much movement for the seamer compared to what we've seen from Johnson. It's a maiden.

Pietersen does well to get on top of the bounce and earn a single on the leg-side. Lyon does well to save two leg-byes when Johnson drifts down the leg-side. The MCG are urging the bowler on. Stokes stands tall to pull a short ball away for a single. Pietersen chips the ball in the air just wide of the bowler at the end of the over. These two need to make it to the tea break.

Close! Harris produces a beauty from around the wicket to send one past the outside edge and leave Stokes nodding in approval. Stokes works a straighter ball into the leg-side for two runs before adding another wide of mid-on. Great cricket from Harris to stop a firm push from an advancing Pietersen and scare the batsman with a throw at the stumps. Pietersen 10 Stokes 12*

Stokes clips a single to deep mid-wicket at the start of a new over. Pietersen sits deep in his crease to nudge the ball into the leg-side for a couple. These two are starting to do a good job of calming things down at the MCG. Pietersen makes it four from the over with a single to deep square-leg. The lead is 165.

TEA: Harris drifts too straight early in the final over before tea and Pietersen flicks a single to deep square-leg. Stokes, with his eye on a brew, blocks out the remaining deliveries to send England to the break with a lead of 166. Pietersen 14* Stokes 13*

It was all looking so good for England a couple of hours ago. However, the tourists fell from 65-0 to 87-4 and leave this match delicately poised. Pietersen and Stokes are starting to rebuild the innings but they both know a lot more runs are needed to take the Test away from Australia.

We could be in for a thrilling climax to this Test match if events continue to unfold the way they have been over the past couple of days. England need to dominate in the final session to end the day as favourites. Australia will feel that they can claim a 4-0 lead if they expose the tail after the tea break.

There's still seven sessions remaining in this match. Who are you backing? England have the chance to take control before the close of play but a similar collapse to the one they suffered in the second session could prove to be disastrous. On a pitch that is unlikely to deteriorate much Australia would back themselves to chase anything around 300.

Pietersen's role is a huge one in this match. If he hangs around for three sessions, the game could be taken beyond Australia. An early dismissal after tea would bring in Bairstow, who looked out of touch with the bat in the first innings.

England certainly did not help themselves in the second session. Carberry batted himself into a difficult position, Root called for a crazy run and Bell played a terrible shot to mid-off to depart for a golden duck. Australia weren't at their best but they took full advantage.

We'll know who is in charge at the end of this session. The umpires are heading out to the middle, with the players following closely behind. England start the session 166 runs ahead of their rivals.

Cook will want at least a lead of 300. For that to happen, you feel that this partnership is key. Pietersen is on strike after tea. No surprise to see Siddle with the ball. Big hour ahead. Play!

Pietersen gets off the mark for the session with two runs through cover. Shot! Superb from Pietersen as he takes advantage of some width to drill four runs past point. Pietersen 19 Stokes 13*

Rogers fumbles the ball at cover to gift Stokes a couple of runs at the start of Lyon's new over. A skip down the pitch is followed by a mistimed shot to Johnson, who once again hits the stumps with the throw. Stokes is easily in. Pietersen will be keen to be positive against the spinner. Just the one run for him in this over when he clips the ball to square-leg. The lead is 176.

Pietersen earns three with a well-timed whip through mid-wicket when Siddle strays too straight. Stokes takes advantage of a slightly shorter length to pick up thee runs of his own to deep mid-wicket. Rogers makes no mistake in this over as he dives to his right at mid-off to stop a straight drive from Pietersen. Six off the over.

Big moment in this match. Stokes just cannot resist taking on Lyon down the ground but he's forced to depart when his miscued loft lands in Smith's hands at mid-off. Australia on top now. Jonny Bairstow in next.

Good captaincy, good bowling. Lyon bowled in the right areas but Clarke deserves credit for having Smith slightly deeper at mid-off. Excellent cricket from the hosts. Bairstow keeps out the first ball of his innings. Wicket maiden for Lyon.

Close! Pietersen breathes a sigh of relief when the ball drops short of Clarke at second slip and races away for four runs. Every single run is important at this stage of the game. Close! Siddle sends down a full-toss, which Pietersen attacks. Bailey, one of the two fielders at mid-wicket, gets a couple of fingers on the ball but he can't take what would have been a stunning catch. Two runs is the end result. A single at the end of the over allows Pietersen to keep the strike.

Pietersen opens the face to push Lyon into the off-side for one. Bairstow fancies his chances of claiming a single when Lyon fumbles the ball but Pietersen sends his partner back. Following Bairstow's first innings knock, it surely won't be long until we see Johnson again.

Bairstow is fighting to keep Matt Prior out of the team. A big contribution here would certainly go a long way to handing him the spot for the foreseeable future. Siddle fires in a good bouncer to Pietersen, who does well to avoid the danger. It's a maiden over. Pietersen 31 Bairstow 0*

Six! Wow. Bairstow gets off the mark by skipping down the pitch and lofting the ball over the mid-wicket rope for a maximum. That's a pretty special shot. A firm push down the ground causes Pietersen to lose his footing and Bairstow misses the opportunity to claim another run. Just the boundary from the over.

Shot! Pietersen refuses to let Siddle get on top of him as he stands on his toes to hammer a pull shot over mid-wicket for four runs. Four more to Pietersen later in the over when he drills a wider ball through the covers. Excellent batting. Pietersen is looking in great touch.

Six! Bairstow goes again to loft Lyon over the rope again, with a shot much straighter. An England supporter takes a fantastic catch in the crowd. Good hands, young man. Shot! Bairstow's positive innings continues as he drops to one knee to sweep Lyon for four through square-leg. A single on the off-side means Bairstow will keep the strike. Fascinating cricket at the MCG.

Johnson was set to return to the attack but the breeze has picked up in the last few moments and Clarke decides to turn to Harris instead. We saw Bairstow attack the spinner but he chooses to be much more conservative against the seamer. A thick inside edge races through a gap to earn the batsman four runs. England now lead by 219. Pietersen 39* Bairstow 21

The MCG crowd immediately reacts as Johnson begins a new spell. He'll want Bairstow but it's Pietersen on strike at the start of the over. Johnson sends down three bouncers that fail to worry the batsman down the leg-side. Here we go then! Pietersen pulls away due to a distraction behind the bowler's arm. Johnson responds by throwing the ball away in anger before directing a few words at the batsman. It's all happening now. Pietersen nudges a single to deep mid-wicket and he refuses to back down when Johnson begins to talk again. Superb entertainment for the supporters. Pietersen can't help but laugh when some litter prevents Johnson from bowling the next ball. Bairstow survives the first two balls he faces from the seamer. One off the over.

Harris is hiding the ball on his approach to the crease, suggesting that the 54-overs-old ball is beginning to reverse-swing a bit more. The wind is causing plenty of problems out there, with the bails coming off the stumps a couple of times. Heavy bails alert! The fourth umpire jogs out to the middle to provide his colleagues with some heavier alternatives. You don't see that often. Pietersen pulls a couple of runs through square-leg before nudging a single to mid-on to edge closer to his second half-century of the match. Pietersen 43* Bairstow 21

Good cricket from Bairstow to respond to Pietersen's call for a quick single at the start of the over.

This game takes another twist! Bairstow was starting to look relaxed at the crease but he hands Johnson his seventh wicket of the match by chasing a wider delivery, with Haddin taking another catch behind the stumps. Bresnan in next. England lead by 224.

Kumar Dharmasena rejects the lbw appeal launched by every Australian in the crowd when Johnson hits Bresnan's pad. Good decision as replays prove the ball pitched outside leg-stump. Bresnan needs to support Pietersen in the final session. One run and a wicket from the over.

Clever move from Clarke to bring back Lyon as Australia look to tempt Pietersen into a big shot. England's number four is more than happy to take the single on offer at long-on. Bresnan blocks out the rest of the over to set up Pietersen vs. Johnson.

Pietersen has no urge to take any unnecessary risks in Johnson's latest over. It's a pleasure to watch him bat like this but he'll know he needs to hang around for a lot longer. Time for a drinks break in Melbourne.

It's been a brilliant day of Test cricket at the MCG. The control has gone back and forth throughout the day. Australia are just edging ahead but Pietersen is the key man in the next hour and 10 minutes.

Lyon picks up another one! The bails are off but only Lyon seems sure that he was responsible for what happened. The umpires decide to call for a replay but it's not good news for Bresnan and England. It was an optimistic pull shot which ended with Bresnan getting a thin bottom edge onto the stumps. Broad in next.

Haddin is excited when a thick inside edge drops just short of Bailey at short-leg. Lyon seems to be enjoying bowling with the wind as the next ball drifts quickly past the bat on the leg-side. It's mayhem out there. A couple of pieces of the boundary are blown onto the field, the litter is causing plenty of problems and the MCG crowd are loving every minute.

It gets even better for the hosts! Broad departs for a duck when a loose drive ends with him delivering an edge to Clarke at slip. Not good enough from the tail. They need to be looking to support Pietersen, not playing optimistic shots. Australia on top. Lyon now has 100 wickets in Test cricket. Anderson comes to the crease to block the final ball of the over.

Drama at the MCG. Haddin claims that Pietersen has stood on his wicket at the start of a new over but the batsman just stands at the crease looking confused. The umpires call for a replay, which shows that Pietersen wasn't even close to the stumps. What was Haddin thinking there? Pietersen fears that the end is near and he swings wildly outside off-stump. No edge, luckily for the batsman. Shot! No luck needed moments later as he stands tall to drill four runs straight back past Johnson. Pietersen 49 Anderson 0*

Pietersen was criticised for the shot which led to his dismissal in the first innings. A day later when asked about the shot, he suggested that he was worried that the tail wouldn't hang around for too much longer. For that comment he received even more criticism. Can you blame him? Anderson and Panesar are both genuine number 11s. Broad, who was expected to become an all-rounder, was out a few moments ago playing a crazy drive. Sometimes Pietersen just can't seem to win.

Anderson takes the single early in the over. Pietersen has no choice, he must go for the big shot. Harris steadies himself at long-off to take the catch to remove the batsman all of the Australian bowlers wanted. What an effort from the spinner. We've seen barely any turn but Lyon is boasting figures of 5-50.

England have lost their last four wickets for just seven runs. I'm not sure how this series can get worse for the tourists. Panesar joins Anderson at the crease and the latter blocks out the remainder of the over. Lyon receives a standing ovation from the MCG crowd. Panesar vs. Johnson. Who is your money on?

It's all over. Johnson needs just six balls to trap Panesar lbw. England's number 11 reviews the decision but the DRS system fails to come to the rescue. Disastrous display from England. Stunning from the hosts once again. Australia need 231 runs to win the Test match.

How many more times can England fail with the bat? Watching Alastair Cook bat earlier in the day you'd be forgiven for thinking that the worst was behind the tourists. However, 65-0 became 87-4 and 131-4 quickly became 179 all out. It's just not good enough.

We've got to be careful not to take anything away from the Australian bowlers. Johnson recorded figures of 3-25, while Lyon produced his best display of the series to take 5-50. Four England players were dismissed for ducks. It's been a stunning day of cricket.

There's still around 35 minutes left on day three but the fourth innings of the match is about to begin. England have to somehow forget about what has happened today. Early wickets are needed. David Warner's performance will, of course, be key.

What does Cook say to his players? He knows that his team need to do something special but a few early wickets could make things very interesting. Warner and Rogers are heading out to the middle now.

Here we go then. 35 minutes left in the day. Rogers on strike. Anderson with the new ball. Play!

Close! Anderson begins the over by nipping one past the outside edge. Rogers gets off the mark by pushing the second ball into the off-side for a couple of runs. Anderson keeps it tight in the first over. Rogers 2 Warner 0*

Warner only knows how to play one way. The opener hammers the first ball of Broad's over past point for what looks like a certain boundary. However, Carberry does superbly well to save a run for his team. Brilliant fielding. Shot! Rogers takes advantage of some width to steer four runs past gully. Solid start from the Australian openers. The hosts need 222 more runs to win.

It really would be a stunning performance if Australia were to come from behind to take a 4-0 lead in the series. Anderson desperately pleads for lbw but Kumar Dharmasena knows that one pitched outside leg-stump. Warner is happy to block out a maiden over. The Barmy Army are still singing. That's surely the beer talking.

Broad's half-tracker early in a new over is pulled through mid-wicket for three by Rogers. Panesar is on the chase again when Warner follows his partner by pulling again. The fielder is unable to prevent the batsman from running four times, rather than settling for three. Broad stares at Panesar but, in truth, if he wants to concede less runs then tame short balls aren't the way to go. Just over 15 minutes left in the day. Rogers 9* Warner 7

Anderson starts a new over by coming around the wicket. Rogers shuffles across his crease to turn a ball into the leg-side for one. Panesar runs in from deep square-leg to restrict Warner to a single before Rogers adds another to the same area. England need a wicket before the close of play.

Much better from Broad as he restricts the freedom on offer to Rogers, who picks up a couple through fine-leg off the final ball. It looks like Panesar is going to come on to bowl the seventh over. Australia need 210 more runs to win.

Shot! Two dot balls is too much for Warner to take as he skips down the pitch midway through the over to loft Panesar over mid-wicket for four runs. It's just the boundary from the spinner's first over. Australia are cruising. Rogers 13* Warner 12

CLOSE OF PLAY: Changes at both ends from Cook as Stokes is introduced to the attack for the final over of the day. Carberry does well to get a hand on a powerful cut from Rogers but the batsman still manages to pick up two runs. The Middlesex opener finishes the over by driving three runs through cover. The umpires bring a dramatic day of Test cricket to an end. Rogers 18* Warner 12*

Well, I don't think any of us thought the game would be in this position at the end of day three. Another disappointing display with the bat from England means that Australia will return tomorrow needing 201 more runs to win the fourth Ashes Test. What an incredible day.

Lyon and Johnson did the damage today but England's batsmen can't place the blame on anyone but themselves. Thanks for joining me today. Make sure you return at 11pm (UK time) as Australia attempt to find the runs that will earn them a 4-0 lead in the series. Goodbye everyone.