Rain douses England fire

Struggling on 22 for two at lunch on the second day after James Anderson claimed two early wickets having earlier guided England to 425 with another last-wicket stand, Australia were in danger of losing control of the match.

But two delays for rain during the afternoon session denied England momentum and opener Simon Katich teamed up with Michael Hussey in an unbroken 77-run partnership to guide them to 87 for two at tea.

Australia had begun the day brightly and claimed three wickets in 19 balls after England had resumed on 364 for six hoping to meet captain Andrew Strauss' expectations of a first-innings score around 450.

Strauss, unbeaten on 161 overnight, lasted just two balls before shouldering arms to swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus and losing his off-stump.

Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad quickly followed but just as Australia began preparing for their reply, England launched their fightback with Anderson teaming up with Graham Onions in a 47-run stand off 53 balls.

Anderson exploited the swing and struck in the third over of Australia's reply when dangerous opener Phil Hughes was caught off a short ball, which he gloved down the leg side to allow wicketkeeper Matt Prior to collect.

His second wicket was more contentious four overs later when he swung the ball into Ponting, hit him on the pads and the ball flew to Strauss at first slip who appealed for a catch off an inside edge.

Umpire Rudi Koertzen referred the incident to TV umpire Nigel Llong to determine whether there had been an inside edge and raised his finger, although replays suggested Ponting should have been dismissed lbw and did not hit the ball.