Anderson ends partnership

Lancashire paceman Anderson pinged Simon Katich on the boot with a full, swinging delivery in the fifth over with the second new ball.

And Anderson then removed Michael Hussey for just three in the 90th over of the innings to leave the visitors on 325 for three.

Katich's gritty 122, the majority of which was made during a 239-run stand with fellow centurion Ricky Ponting, put the tourists on top at the start of the 2009 campaign.

England captain Andrew Strauss had no choice but to take the new ball immediately, with Australia starting the third day on 281 for one.

Ponting, unbeaten on 131, made a dramatic statement upon its introduction, however, by pulling Anderson's second delivery with it to fine leg for four and exquisitely caressing the fourth to the rope at deep extra-cover.

England's bowling banker Andrew Flintoff then produced a 'Steve Harmison moment' by hurling his first ball from the Cathedral Road end, to Katich, wide of first slip, where wicketkeeper Matt Prior clutched the ball at full length.

However, Flintoff soon had his tail up and answered his infuriation at being edged for four by Katich by unleashing a short ball into the left-hander's back.

The first suggestions of a breakthrough came when Ponting flashed short of Kevin Pietersen at gully off Anderson, and then edged wide of the same fielder for four.

Spin twins Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann bowled in tandem in the lead up to the 81st over.