Yup, made up to get up this morning and see the talk of a possible 500 lead was accurate.

I think I got that pretty much right....

Seriously, apart from Colly & Bell's non-contribution, its been a superb day for England, they couldn't have wished for anything better....even the 'white flag' I expected to see was in evidence in the shape of Ponting's tantrum.

Just continue playing sensible cricket and we can sew this up by the end of day 4.

We're already nearly as far in front as when we declared at Adelaide, and we've got an extra day left! Even if we bat slowly until we're bowled out it's difficult to see how we could screw this up now unless it rains heavily for long spells. Our opponents must be totally demoralised by now; the best they can realistically hope for is a deficit of 400 or so, even if they knock us over quickly in the morning.

Ponting has been fined 40% of his match fee by referee Ranjan Madugalle for a "Level 1" offence. Apparently the maximum he could have been hit with was a 50% fine.

Pretty much on perfect course for the win, don't know what Bell and Collingwood were doing with their dismissals though - luckily it's not crucial.

I'd bat for another session and a half (if we can) then stick them in I think, though if it's overcast in the morning I'd be tempted to stick them in straight away and try and roll them cheaply again.

newsthump.com/2010/12/27/fined-p ... -/

newsthump.com/2010/12/27/fined-p ... -/

An excellent all round test for England so far. Fantastic to see Ponting losing the plot yesterday and 40% of his match fee. Nice to see a captain fearing for his job

Would imagine there will be plenty of plastic on view today at the MCG and the weather's getting better!! Happy days......

A really good batting display from England, I reckon they will bat unil they get 500 run lead then declare about mid afternoon.

Ponting's behaviour was appauling and how it was only deemed a grade one offence I don't know.

Ponting on Sky now saying that there was a mark on the bat on HotSpot for the incident he was fined for. From the Hot Spot replay I watched the mark was at the bottom of the bat (probably caused by Pietersen hitting the ground with the bat during the bowlers approach) and not in the centre of the bat where the ball passed closest to it.

He's had a mare, there is a hot spot about 6 inches lower than where the ball passed the bat.

desperate man, clutching at straws...all of that was clearly evident at the time, including seeing the ball wizz past much much higher up

Tough morning so far, be lucky to reach 400 run lead. Still if we get bowled out then it is potentially good news for our bowlers.

How?

Prior out for 85, Bresnan for 4; Trott still going strong; Swann won't hang about, if he stays there he'll score quickly. I suspect we'll be bowled out during the first hour of the afternoon session with a lead of around 450, which I think would suit nicely.

Sounds like Ryan Harris has broken down and is unlikely to bowl again in the match. (I saw him score his career best 94 at a run-a-ball batting with a runner for Surrey at Northampton in summer 2009 - he's certainly a tough customer who won't lie down easily.)