ENGLAND'S under-fire bowling attack finally stood up to be counted Down Under as the tourists put Australia on the ropes in the fifth test in Sydney.
After captain Andrew Flintoff had single-handedly taken the game to Australia with 89 quick-fire runs - including 11 fours and one six - a Steve Harmison-inspired bowling attack had the Australians rocking on 155-4.
The tourists also claimed the
bonus wicket of Ricky Ponting, who averages 80-plus in Sydney, when the Australian skipper was run out by a direct hit from James Anderson for 45.
But, after a rain delay in the evening session, England were unable to put their hosts on the canvas as the imperious Michael Hussey (37 not out) and Andrew Symonds (22 not out) steadied the ship to leave Australia 103 runs behind at the close of play.
And Harmison - who ended the day with figures of 2-34 - is well aware England need to find the knockout blow when play resumes for day three.
"The game is well poised and we are in a similar position to where they found themselves at the end of the first day," said Harmison.
"They managed to use the new ball and knock us over for 291 and it is vital we do likewise.
"If we bowl well early on then we could take a lead into the second innings. But if we can't do that then we need to make sure it's a one innings game.
"If we can do our bit with the ball we could finally give the fans something to shout about."
In the absence of the tourists' leading wicket-taker Matthew Hoggard and, with Flintoff taking a back seat due to his ankle problem, the pressure was on Harmison.
And the Durham star didn't disappoint, snaring Matthew Hayden and Michael Clarke either side of tea during an impressive performance that included five maidens. But Harmison - who flies home after this test - admitted he has been as frustrated as anyone with his poor form, which started with figures of 1-177 in the first test in Brisbane.
"After the first test, which I still don't want to talk about, it feels as if it has got better and better for me," he added.
"But that is no consolation, because we are 4-0 down.
"I am frustrated myself. But it is not through lack of effort - I have tried my nuts off through all five test matches, things have just not gone my way."
After resuming on 234-4 things looked bleak for England as Paul Collingwood added just two runs to his overnight score of 25 before edging a ripper from Glenn McGrath to wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist.
Flintoff continued to wage a one man war against the Australian quicks but, with wicket-keeper Chris Read and the tail disappearing for a combined total of four runs, he was fighting a losing battle.
Harmison struggled to get bat on ball but, crucially, he hung around for 24 deliveries, allowing his skipper to move from 61 to 82, before Stuart Clark trapped him leg before for two.
With Flintoff running out of partners and desperate for a first test century since the summer of 2005, it came as no surprise when, after charging down the wicket, he nicked Clark to Gilchrist.
That brought Anderson to the crease but he was soon taking his pads off as Monty Panesar became Shane Warne's 1000th international victim as he misjudged a sweep and was given out lbw for a duck.
The Australian response was rapid with Justin Langer crashing 26 off just 24 balls before the soon to be retired opener edged a leg-sided Anderson delivery to the alert Read.
Ponting and Hayden then steadied the ship, taking Australia past the 100 mark before Hayden was caught in the slips by Collingwood for 33.
The Australian skipper then pushed for a quick single to mid-on only for Anderson to take aim and send him back to the hutch.
And, when Harmison sent Clarke packing for 11 with a venomous, climbing delivery that the right-hander edged to Read, the tourists looked in control.
But a downpour held up play and, when Harmison and Co. resumed, Symonds and Hussey survived the 12 overs until stumps to leave England with plenty of work to do.
The full article contains 736 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
