50.1

Clark to Pietersen, no run, that's better. On off stump and Pietersen blocks

50.2

Clark to Pietersen, no run, back into the groove outside off stump and KP not remotely tempted

"Incidentally," reports our sniffer on the spot, Mr Miller, "the locals are speculating about rain tomorrow, but I think they're joking". I think they are too, given the forecast is for sun, sun and more sun

50.3

Clark to Pietersen, no run, same line. The batsmen will not be drawn in when it's that wide

50.4

Clark to Pietersen, no run, better line and Pietersen has to play, planting the ball into the covers

50.5

Clark to Pietersen, no run, well, that proves I know nothing! Outside off stump and Pietersen gropes and misses. That was 81.5mph (131kph)

50.6

Clark to Pietersen, no run, driven firmly to extra cover

"I hate Kookaburras," says Botham. "They're nothing balls."

51.1

Warne to Collingwood, no run, floated up and Collingwood blocks on the back foot

51.2

Warne to Collingwood, no run, gentle legbreak, played with ease

we only have a slip, silly point and a short leg in close

51.3

Warne to Collingwood, SIX, Six! Collingwood takes two steps down and launches a big hit over the wide long-on boundary. Not thumped but timed

51.4

Warne to Collingwood, no run, defended from the crease

51.4

Warne to Collingwood, no run, defended from the crease

51.5

Warne to Collingwood, 1 run, Collingwood waits and flicks that round behind square on the leg

51.6

Warne to Pietersen, no run, Pietersen leaves it alone outside off stump

Botham now on a rant about Australian balls

52.1

Clark to Collingwood, no run, an extra yard of pace, and that carried through to Gilchrist at chest height but Collingwood got his bat and hands out of the way

52.2

Clark to Collingwood, no run, full length and played into the covers

52.3

Clark to Collingwood, 2 runs, short into the body, Collingwood shimmies and turns it to square leg. No power on the ball so they run two as the man in the deep scurries in

52.4

Clark to Collingwood, no run, short and again Collingwood drops his hands and watches the ball on its way

52.5

Clark to Collingwood, no run, on off stump, meets the ball with the full face of the bat

McGrath off the field again. His heel is a worry but he seems to be about to return

52.6

Clark to Collingwood, no run, fractionally short and blocked effectively but not prettily

53.1

Warne to Pietersen, FOUR, two steps and Pietersen crashes that up and over mid-off. McGrath gives chase but he wouldn't have got that in his prime

53.2

Warne to Pietersen, FOUR, half volley fetched from outside off stump through midwicket. That went like a missile

53.3

Warne to Pietersen, no run, Pietersen went to cut, missed and a massive appeal from the close fielders as Gilchrist took it ... Gilchrist races down the pitch but Bucknor not interested. The Australians are perplexed and, oddly, Bucknor looked across to his colleague before seeming to shrug. Replays not clear either way

53.4

Warne to Pietersen, no run, wide and left alone

53.5

Warne to Pietersen, no run, no shot ... have we had the drama for the over?

53.6

Warne to Pietersen, no run, legbreak outside off stump and Pietersen misses with an ugly swish

54.1

Clark to Collingwood, 1 run, flicked into the vacant midwicket zone

54.2

Clark to Pietersen, no run, backward defensive stroke

54.3

Clark to Pietersen, 2 runs

54.4

Clark to Pietersen, no run, wide and left

54.5

Clark to Pietersen, 1 run, Pietersen tips-and-runs into the covers. Good calling and comfortable as they set off so quickly

54.6

Clark to Collingwood, FOUR, half volley outside off stump, driven, slightly uppish, but safe and it races to the extra-cover boundary. That's the 100 partnership from 159 balls

So much for forecasts. There's now a very adamant rumour doing the rounds that it could rain tomorrow. Says Andrew Weatherman-Miller: "Apparently, Queensland rain is of a very special variety that doesn't show up on long-range forecasts." Hmm, interesting...

55.1

Warne to Pietersen, no run, wide and Piertsen sniffily watches it pass

55.2

Warne to Pietersen, FOUR, short and Pietersen cuts that with real power to the cover boundary. That's his seventh Test fifty

Not many of the Australian team applauded Pietersen!

55.3

Warne to Pietersen, 1 run, premeditated sweep

55.4

Warne to Collingwood, no run, rank long hop, smacked straight into Hayden at silly point

55.5

Warne to Collingwood, FOUR, again short and wide, and this time Collingwood misses Hayden and finds the gap through extra cover

55.6

Warne to Collingwood, 4 byes, that turned sideway and fooled both Colingwood and Gilchrist, flying past slip and it was stopped on the boundary ... third umpire reviewing it

the fielder had his hand on the rope as he flicked it back. Four byes

56.1

Clark to Pietersen, 1 run, blocked but the ball squirts out on the leg side

56.2

Clark to Collingwood, no run, good line

56.3

Clark to Collingwood, no run, a bit more oomph from Clark - 83.6mph (134.5kph) and Collingwood has to stand tall to block and the ball bounces at his feet and squirts safely away

56.4

Clark to Collingwood, no run, up in the slot and blocked

56.5

Clark to Collingwood, FOUR, "shot," coo Will and Jenny like a married couple, driven hard and straight. Billy Bowden, still sore after being struck yesterday, takes evasive action as the ball races past him

56.6

Clark to Collingwood, no run, well defended

57.1

Warne to Pietersen, 1 run, turned into the leg side

A slightly more attacking field for Collingwood as he is less inclined to get after Warne

57.2

Warne to Collingwood, no run, turned past the defensive prod but pitched well outside leg

57.3

Warne to Collingwood, no run, ordinary legbreak which Collingwood reads and leaves

57.4

Warne to Collingwood, FOUR, leg-side full toss which Collingwood, who has been in three hours, sees like a football and launches over midwicket for a two-bounce four

57.5

Warne to Collingwood, no run, Warne back in the groove

And the Barmy Army suddenly wake up as if prodded with a stick

57.6

Warne to Collingwood, no run, cautious and watchful block

And now another weather link which shows hail in Brisbane tomorrow. What do they know ... McGrath limps back into the attack at the Stanley Street End for the first time

58.1

McGrath to Pietersen, no run, gentle half volley to ease his way back into action, patted to mid-on

58.2

McGrath to Pietersen, no run, widish and left

58.3

McGrath to Pietersen, no run, another half volley, driven back and McGrath bends and gathers like someone in the first flush of youth

58.4

McGrath to Pietersen, FOUR, oh yes! Another half volley outside off stump and Pietersen steers that past extra cover. That would please the purists

58.5

McGrath to Pietersen, FOUR, and again. Pietersen hits that in the same place but with added vim. "Oh gosh," mutters McGrath. Or something like that

58.6

McGrath to Pietersen, no run, another cracking drive, but that extra-cover region has been reinforced and it beats the first man but not the second

59.1

Warne to Collingwood, no run, back to normality as Collingwood blocks

59.2

Warne to Collingwood, no run, same ball, same block

Gilchrist sends a man into the deep at long-on. Nobody could accuse him of being overattacking

59.3

Warne to Collingwood, no run, watched and defended

59.4

Warne to Collingwood, (no ball) 1 run, a step down the track and driven to the man at longish on

59.4

Warne to Pietersen, 2 runs, short and flat-batted to deep square leg

59.5

Warne to Pietersen, 1 run

59.6

Warne to Collingwood, no run, blocked

Warne has one slip and three men in the deep for Pietersen ... and England still need 418 to win! It is hard to imagine that Ponting would not be attacking more

60.1

McGrath to Pietersen, no run, wide outside off stump and left

Interesting field change ... two me in front on the leg side about ten yards from the bat

60.2

McGrath to Pietersen, no run, driven firmly but straight to the fielder

60.3

McGrath to Pietersen, no run, one step down the track, flicked to short midwicket where Langer made a mess of a simple stop

60.4

McGrath to Pietersen, no run, McGrath back in the groove after a slightly wayward first over. How long will Pietersen allow himself to be bottled up ... this is a good test of his temperament

60.5

McGrath to Pietersen, no run, right on the button and blocked

60.6

McGrath to Pietersen, no run, blocked on the walk

Hello all, super to be here. Will's fallen off his perch, so it's Wilbur to take you through to the close. And the clouds are just starting to appear above the ground...

And that's drinks and right on cue Beefy figure says "It's hot ...time for a VB" while for the first time in the match Boonie is quiet. Sums up the first hour of the final session. That's it from me, Martin Williamson, for the day. To take you through to the close it's Wilbur (he hates you using his real name) Luke ...

61.1

Warne to Collingwood, no run, tossed up and defended on the front foot

61.2

Warne to Collingwood, 1 run, and he comes shuffling down the pitch confidently, punching Warne down the ground

61.3

Warne to Pietersen, 2 runs, another massively aggressive shot from Pietersen, going down on one knee and sweep-slapping Warne from outside off in front of square

61.4

Warne to Pietersen, 1 run, turned around the corner to fine leg

61.5

Warne to Collingwood, 1 run, down the pitch again from Collingwood who doesn't quite get hold of it, picking it up and over...but, hello, there's a man at long-on, could be an easy catch but it falls

61.6

Warne to Pietersen, FOUR, ah, what a fabulous shot, sweeping Warne from well outside off stump and getting it much finer than previously in the over, bisecting the two sweepers on the boundary&

62.1

McGrath to Collingwood, 1 run, excellent running by Collingwood as he drops this out into the covers, looks up to Pietersen who reacts immediately

"They are playing "Thunder always happens when it's raining" on the PA," reports Andrew. "Who says the Gabba authorities don't have a sense of humour? Or maybe they don't, and it's just a coincidence. The latter's more likely."

62.2

McGrath to Pietersen, no run, firmly, and expansively driven by Pietersen but straight to mid-off

62.3

McGrath to Pietersen, 2 runs, nipped back off the seam, Pietersen tucks him off his legs for a couple more

And there's the 150 partnership between these two, from 205 balls. A fine effort, but the work is only half done

62.4

McGrath to Pietersen, no run, powerfully struck once more with a high front elbow, but straight to mid-off again

62.5

McGrath to Pietersen, no run, ah, now then, that spat up off a length to Pietersen - first time that's happened for a while - almost squaring him up, who prods it out to mid-on

62.6

McGrath to Pietersen, no run, driven out into the covers

63.1

Warne to Collingwood, 2 runs, prodded, poked off a length to midwicket

63.2

Warne to Collingwood, no run, well flighted on leg stump but not a lot of turn for Warne and Collingwood defends solidly

63.3

Warne to Collingwood, OUT, GONE! Warne's done it for Australia and Collingwood is gone for 96, what agony. Agony for Collingwood, skipping miles down the pitch and trying to smack Warne over his head to reach a hundred. It was a classic legbreak from Warne, turning prodigiously, Gilchrist snaffled it and whipped off the bails. Collingwood's hang-me-now expression tells the story. Click here for the picture

PD Collingwood st †Gilchrist b Warne 96 (216m 155b 13x4 2x6) SR: 61.93

63.4

Warne to Flintoff, 1 wide, very short, very wide and called a wide

63.4

Warne to Flintoff, FOUR, lovely shot! A big stride forward, timing the ball beautifully past mid-off who makes a complete hash of it, diving over the ball and the crowd cheer

63.5

Warne to Flintoff, no run, defended out into the covers

63.6

Warne to Flintoff, no run, flighted outside Flintoff's leg stump who comes forward to defend

64.1

McGrath to Pietersen, FOUR, well that's cheeky from Pietersen, very classy shot just opening the face and guiding it past the slips and gully to the vacant third man. Excellent

No slips now

64.2

McGrath to Pietersen, 1 leg bye, cockiness from Pietersen who practically runs down the pitch to McGrath, the ball rising on him and it flicks off his pad

64.3

McGrath to Flintoff, no run, defended solidly

64.4

McGrath to Flintoff, no run, and Flintoff gets his head right over the ball, blocking it out

64.5

McGrath to Flintoff, no run, defended off the back foot

64.6

McGrath to Flintoff, no run, pushed out into the covers

Around the wicket to Pietersen

Brett Lee's leading some Merv-aerobics on the fine-leg boundary. Looks like he might be coming back for a blast

65.1

Warne to Pietersen, no run, miles too wide from the big winning Warne, well outside Pietersen's leg stump who leaves it alone

65.2

Warne to Pietersen, no run, comes forward and pads it away

65.3

Warne to Pietersen, no run, pushes this out to cover

65.4

Warne to Pietersen, no run, defended solidly

65.5

Warne to Pietersen, no run, pads it away once more

65.6

Warne to Pietersen, no run, and again he kicks it away

Interesting tactics from Warne, trying to subdue Pietersen - or at least make him think. Now then, Brett Lee replaces Glenn McGrath for a burst against Flintoff

66.1

Lee to Flintoff, FOUR, fabulous shot, stand-and-deliver from Flintoff who just hits through the line - a check-drive and it flies to the extra-cover boundary. Just a loosener from Lee, wide and short outside off

66.2

Lee to Flintoff, no run, what a cracker! Great response from Lee, swinging in to Flintoff before cutting away at the last second. Flintoff drops his hands but that was mighty close

66.3

Lee to Flintoff, no run, pitched up this time and he comes forward, a little tentatively, to block it out

66.4

Lee to Flintoff, no run, good lift from Lee, just short of a length, but Flintoff goes back to defend with a very straight bat

66.5

Lee to Flintoff, FOUR, ooh, streaky, bit of luck there for Flintoff as he drives, without moving his feet, gets a thick outside edge and it flies over gully. Yikes

66.6

Lee to Flintoff, no run, prods at this, unconvincingly and it rolls out into the gully

67.1

Warne to Pietersen, no run, Warne to continue with his around-the-wicket tactics

67.2

Warne to Pietersen, no run, again kicked away

Pietersen refuses to be tempted

67.3

Warne to Pietersen, no run, once again padded away...he's going to go for it this over, surely

67.4

Warne to Pietersen, 1 run, and he does go for it, to a delivery which is slightly straighter this time, timing it out to the off side

over the wicket to Flintoff

67.5

Warne to Flintoff, no run, defended on the front foot

67.6

Warne to Flintoff, no run, a resounding clunk of the bat as Flintoff smacks this straight back to Warne

68.1

Lee to Pietersen, 1 run, swinging into Pietersen who doesn't quite time it, pushing it to mid-on and they scamper a single

68.2

Lee to Flintoff, no run, ugly, poky, defensive shot from Flintoff. Effective. Just ugly

68.3

Lee to Flintoff, no run, firmly, solidly defended on the back foot

68.4

Lee to Flintoff, no run

68.5

Lee to Flintoff, FOUR, shot, that's intelligent batting from Flintoff. He really waited for that - on a pitch really slowing down now - and pulled it in front of square

68.6

Lee to Flintoff, no run, an attempted yorker but it's firmly driven back

Around the wicket to Pietersen again

69.1

Warne to Pietersen, no run, got him! No he hasn't, sorry, nearly got him, Pietersen overbalances, misses the ball - but so does Gilchrist, and a stumping chance goes begging. Damn hard one, though

69.2

Warne to Pietersen, no run, padded away

69.3

Warne to Pietersen, no run, again he kicks this away. "awww, loving this Warney" offers Gilchrist

69.4

Warne to Pietersen, 1 run, expansively cover-driven, but straight to extra cover

Over the wicket to Flintoff

69.5

Warne to Flintoff, no run, well played from Flintoff, coming right forward and smothering the spin

69.6

Warne to Flintoff, no run, defended once again

We have just under 45 minutes left today

70.1

Lee to Pietersen, no run, no great pace from Lee, no swing either and it's left alone outside off

70.2

Lee to Pietersen, no run, crack! Smacked on the up, but straight to cover

70.3

Lee to Pietersen, no run, that's a touch quicker from Lee and this time he does find some inswing, Pietersen times it to mid-on but again can't find the gap

70.4

Lee to Pietersen, no run, and again he can't bisect the fielder; he really timed that superbly, and short mid-off took the brunt of it

70.5

Lee to Pietersen, no run, nearly! Pietersen tried to hit that into New Zealand, an almighty swing of the bat and he misses the ball by several feet

70.6

Lee to Pietersen, 2 runs, tucked off his legs for a couple

11 overs remaining. Yes, our scorecard says different. Just listen to Wilbur; I am the voice of reason

71.1

Warne to Flintoff, no run, "noice Shine" says Gilchrist to one which is quite nice - I wouldn't praise it any more than that - and Flintoff defends it solidly

71.2

Warne to Flintoff, no run, a touch shorter, Flintoff comes forward and smothers the spin

71.3

Warne to Flintoff, no run, just a touch wider this time from Warne, tempting Flintoff into a drive - which he does, but only back to the bowler

71.4

Warne to Flintoff, OUT, suicide. Absolute kamikaze from Flintoff. Warne banged it in short, Flintoff tried to pull it, and miscued it to Langer at long-off who didn't need to move a muscle, apart from those lifting his hands up to his face. Warne claps his hands; Flintoff trudges off. Dreadful stroke and that's opened up the tail. Click here for the picture

A Flintoff c Langer b Warne 16 (37m 26b 4x4 0x6) SR: 61.53

Slip, silly point short leg in for Jones

71.5

Warne to Jones, no run, Jones comes forward, tentatively, and defends

71.6

Warne to Jones, no run, ooh I thought he edged that, he was very close to edging that. Terrific ball on leg stump, fizzing away from another tentative defensive

Replays show that moments before Langer took the catch, his fists were clenched in celebration. He was smiling, even. There's arrogance for you.

72.1

Lee to Pietersen, no run, left alone outside off

72.2

Lee to Pietersen, no run, left alone

72.3

Lee to Pietersen, 1 run, oh where's this gone? Pietersen tries to hook this bouncer and it spirals up in the air, over square leg but somehow lady luck is smiling on him. Dreadful, careless cricket this.

72.4

Lee to Jones, no run, ducks underneath a bouncer, evades it with ease

72.5

Lee to Jones, FOUR, lovely, elegant, lazy shot - the like of which Jones is so capable of - timing it beautifully through the covers to get off the mark

72.6

Lee to Jones, 2 runs, a neat clip off his legs this time, again well timed although not sufficiently so for four

73.1

Warne to Pietersen, no run, padded away

73.2

Warne to Pietersen, no run, and padded away again

73.3

Warne to Pietersen, no run, again he won't be tempted, padding this away

73.4

Warne to Pietersen, no run, a touch straighter but again Pietersen can just kick this away

73.5

Warne to Pietersen, no run, and this rips past Pietersen, turning massively but it pitched a mile outside leg

73.6

Warne to Pietersen, no run, kicked away to end the over

Probably time for Warne to go over the wicket to Pietersen next over

74.1

Clark to Jones, no run, shoulders arms outside off

74.2

Clark to Jones, no run, right on his off stump but Jones is up to it, clamping down on it

74.3

Clark to Jones, no run, comes forward to defend

74.4

Clark to Jones, no run, ah, well bowled just taking the outside edge of Jones's forward defence, but soft hands let the ball land short of the gully

74.5

Clark to Jones, 1 leg bye, banged in short but hardly any bounce, the ball hitting Jones's arm who tried to duck underneath it, Clark appeals - massively so - but Billy Bowden derisively shakes his head

74.6

Clark to Pietersen, no run, he sways out the way of this shorter ball

Another catcher comes into the gully. Two slips, short-leg, silly mid-off

75.1

Warne to Jones, no run, short, too short and Jones sits back in his crease before punching it away

75.2

Warne to Jones, no run, ooh, well bowled - a bit of indrift, bit slower too, and the ball takes the outside edge of Jones's bat before bobbling down to first slip

75.3

Warne to Jones, no run, and again the ball takes his outside edge, but it again falls short of second slip this time

75.4

Warne to Jones, no run, defended off the back foot

75.5

Warne to Jones, 3 runs, nice shot, a touch too short from Warne allowing Jones to rock back and hammer it through the covers. "Hammer" is probably not the right word, but I haven't said it for a while, and it's a cracking word

A few clowns behind the bowlers arm are holding up play. Adam Gilchrist politely tells them to go forth and multiply.

75.6

Warne to Pietersen, 1 run, Pushed off his legs

A few clowns behind the bowlers arm are holding up play. Adam Gilchrist politely tells them to go forth and multiply.

76.1

Clark to Pietersen, no run, attempted pull but it hits him on the arm

76.2

Clark to Pietersen, 1 run, purposefully edged past Gilchrist down to third man

76.3

Clark to Jones, 1 run, paddled round the corner

76.4

Clark to Pietersen, no run, attempted pull, misses out and it goes through to Gilchrist

76.5

Clark to Pietersen, no run, solidly defended on the back foot, bit of extra bounce there

76.6

Clark to Pietersen, 1 run, too short but it doesn't quite get up enough, but Pietersen nevertheless paddles it around the corner

Over the wicket to Pietersen for the first time in a while

77.1

Warne to Pietersen, 1 run, outside off, Pietersen sweeps it down to fine leg

77.2

Warne to Jones, no run, Jones tries to mirror Pietersen with the same sweep shot, but is beaten by the spin and the ball hits his pad

77.3

Warne to Jones, no run, defended on the back foot

77.4

Warne to Jones, no run, solidly forward to defend this one

77.5

Warne to Jones, no run, Jones comes confidently forward to smother the spin once more

77.6

Warne to Jones, no run, shorter, enticing Jones into cutting (and edging) but he won't be tempted and pads it away

78.1

Clark to Pietersen, no run, banged in short and again it doesn't quite get up - worrying signs for the batsmen - and the ball scoots beneath Pietersen's pull shot

78.2

Clark to Pietersen, no run, again short but it climbs up and is defended on the back foot

78.3

Clark to Pietersen, 1 run, turned down to fine leg, no great power in the shot there

78.4

Clark to Jones, no run, outside off, no swing or seam there and it's left alone

78.5

Clark to Jones, 1 run, competent pull shot but again without much timing. Late in the day...everyone's knackered

And they're doing the conga in the stands. They're all utterly largered up like the massive winners that they are. Well done everyone.

78.6

Clark to Pietersen, no run, defended on the front foot

One over left. Maybe two, but I don't want to disappoint you

79.1

Warne to Jones, no run, turned off his legs

79.2

Warne to Jones, no run, solidly defended on the front foot and short-leg dives forward to field

79.3

Warne to Jones, 1 run, Jones goes back, turns his wrists and they

"Ingerland, Ingerland, Ingerland" is the knuckle-scraping anthem in the crowd

79.4

Warne to Pietersen, 2 runs, quicker - the slider? - and Pietersen sweeps, misses, Warne roars and appeal...but they get a run down the leg side

79.5

Warne to Pietersen, 1 run, swept in the air, top edge but it falls safe of the man at fine-leg

Last ball of the day

79.6

Warne to Jones, no run, and a belting ball to finish the day, turning away sharply from Jones's backward defensive shot...but he lives to survive another day. Another whole day would be good for England, too...

9.55am Here come the umpires. Oops, and there goes Billy. He's forgotten something. His box, maybe; after he was felled by Jones at square leg the other day he won't want to take too many chances. Ah, was it the bails? Possibly.

No matter, here come the Aussies, led by Ponting, who's back on the pitch after his back problem. And there's a massive cheer for Pietersen and Jones. Only a smattering of fans in the ground today, but they are all English.

The new ball is due, by the way. And it's Brett Lee to open up from the Stanley Street End.

9.50am Warne has just completed an on-pitch interview and, doing his best Pinocchio impression, he says he would have done exactly what Ponting would have done with the declaration. In injury-watch, Ponting and McGrath, he says, are OK, with McGrath having had a couple of jabs in his bruised heel. And both completed full warm-ups this morning.

"It threw us off balance yesterday, losing those two early," Warne admits. "Hopefully today we can get those last wickets and have a cold one." Speaking of cold ones, why don't you crack one open yourselves (although it may have to be a Coke if you're in the office, ahem) while we wait for play to get underway - it's coming right up.

And on cue our resident Boonie doll chirps: "Put the VBs on ice, cricket's on the telly..." Or on the internet...

9.30am Hurrah and zah because the power is back at the stadium, although unfortunately for fans of hard rock the PA's still out of action. With regard to the rain, there was some overnight, but only the briefest of smatterings. Even so, the clouds are heavier than they have been at any other stage of the game: this time yesterday morning, for example, was clear blue skies.

The power loss was attributable to a power outage in the whole Woollangabba area. Half the ground is still baulked, but sadly not the half with the PA... oh, and all the power has now been restored.

9.20am Weather update: there's a chance of a thunderstorm in the late afternoon, according to this forecast, but if it does transpire then it still could be too late to save England.

9.05amGood morning (afternoon? evening?) everyone and welcome to the final day's coverage from the Gabba. It's much cloudier and muggier than it has been, but whether that means rain is anyone's guess.

Meanwhile, there's been a massive power cut at the ground, so there's no electricity anywhere which could mean a lack of TV pictures. A few of the analysts are looking like lost sheep ambling around the outfield but Michael Holding clearly has friends in high places as he is filing his pitch report.

I'm Jenny Thompson and together with Martin Williamson we'll be bringing you the action as it unfolds, in painstaking ball-by-ball detail, and we'll be supported by our very own roving winner, Andrew Miller.

Now, should Ricky Ponting have batted again, especially now there's a chance of rain? Will Australia manage to take the final five wickets, or can England hold on? They'll have to dig deep again, as they did yesterday, with massive cracks continuing to open up all over the pitch tempting not just Shane Warne but also Glenn McGrath. Kevin Pietersen could hold the key for England; he's unbeaten on 92, yet the biggest threat to Australia's very big chances of going 1-0 up in the series is in all likelihood the weather.

Let us know your thoughts from wherever you're joining us: sneakily in the office, the classroom or from under the duvet.

Greg in the UK thinks: "Batting again was pure arrogance - the cat playing with the mouse - but I think he'll get away with it." This is what John Boxsell thinks: "I can't believe Ponting chose to bat again! Imagine the headlines if it rains and forces a draw."

"I believe Ponting is running scared," suggests Mendel who's joining us from the US. "He knows that England can whip their butts and his decision to bat had no small amount of fear involved."

"Right decision to bat again," says Mark Moffat. "Warne needed to be bowling on Day 5."

Close Well that's the end of the fourth day - and a better one for England. Their batsmen showed much better application and Australia, for the first time in the match, even looked despondent at one stage. But England have only delayed the inevitable; Australia need just five more wickets to win. All eyes on the weather which could yet threaten Australia from taking a 1-0 lead.

In the meantime, click here to read Andrew Miller's bulletin and click here for the day's picture gallery.

Join us at 9.00am (2300GMT) tomorrow and , in the meantime, send us your thoughts by clicking here.

80.1

Lee to Pietersen, no run, solid start from the batsman, defending that one at 134kph, as it pitches on off stump

And they take the new ball now - no messing.

Interestingly Ponting, who is an excellent close fielder, is standing at mid-off, a surefire sign that his back is still troubling him. McGrath's also the pitch after his hot-spotted heel problem

80.2

Lee to Pietersen, no run, Pietersen swishes at that across the line, he misses, and it clatters into him at hip-height, but too high

80.3

Lee to Pietersen, no run, defended this time

Two slips, gully, point, short midwicket, mid-off, mid-on, deep midwicket

80.4

Lee to Pietersen, OUT, oh! and he's gone - flicking impulsively at Martyn in a very short midwicket. The new ball has done the trick for Australia, and that's just the start that they wanted, with the big wicket of Pietersen. Click here for the picture

KP Pietersen c Martyn b Lee 92 (227m 155b 14x4 0x6) SR: 59.35

Giles comes to the crease - and the field immediately becomes much more attacking for him, men close in everywhere. Three slips, two gullies and a leg gully. The slips are first second and a wide fourth

80.5

Lee to Giles, no run, leaves that one as it swings away from him

80.6

Lee to Giles, no run, that one hit a crack at a fair lick, 145kph to be exact, and Giles jabs at it but missed it by a long, long way

80.6

Lee to Giles, no run, that one hit a crack at a fair lick, 145kph to be exact, and Giles jabs at it but missed it by a long, long way

So Australia's tails are up with that cracking start, and McGrath is stepping up to bowl

81.1

McGrath to Jones, no run, a fairly gentle start, deviating in at the batsman off a good length but wide enough to leave alone

81.2

McGrath to Jones, no run, extra bounce to Jones who moves across on his back foot and cuts that down to gully

81.3

McGrath to Jones, no run, ooh, that cut back off a crack a fair whack and Jones makes an "ooh" face as he adjusts at the last minute and defends over the ball

81.4

McGrath to Jones, no run, this one has Jones hopping on to his back foot to defend, pretty solidly in the end

81.5

McGrath to Jones, FOUR, shot! A hint of width and Jones is over and onto that one, with a crashing late-ish cut off the back foot which flies wide to the right of gully

81.6

McGrath to Jones, 2 runs, another lovely shot, punched off the back foot and the fielder hunts it down inside the boundary at backward of point

The Barmy Army are in hearty voice despite the big blow of Pietersen, gamely singing: "4-1! We're going to win 4-1!" They're sensing the end, although Jones has shown already that he's not going to go down without a fight

82.1

Lee to Giles, no run, feet rooted to the crease, the batsman prods a cutting motion at that one which goes past his outside edge

82.2

Lee to Giles, 1 run, Giles off the mark with a quick single into midwicket and the Army applaud as the 300 comes up

82.3

Lee to Jones, 1 wide, a high bouncer, showing how Lee's been short of rhythm this match

"Long to reign over you, God save your Queen" sing the Army

82.3

Lee to Jones, 2 runs, punched off the back foot through cover and Ponting sets off in huffing-and-puffing pursuit

82.4

Lee to Jones, no run, that ball pitches on off, jumps and it's defended down on the back foot with a straight bat

82.5

Lee to Jones, FOUR, ooh! Gotta love that one. A bit of room outside the off stump, overpitched, and Jones laces that away through cover, an exquisite cover-drive

82.6

Lee to Jones, 4 runs, straighter from Lee, but overpitched once more and that's nicely timed off the toes through midwicket with Hussey chasing it down inside the boundary

83.1

McGrath to Giles, no run, McGrath thunders in, sticks it on a good length and all Giles can do is defend on the front foot

83.2

McGrath to Giles, FOUR, wider from McGrath and Giles wastes no time helping it through his favoured gully area with a steer off the back foot

McGrath's looking a bit pained here, as if his heel is troubling him

83.3

McGrath to Giles, no run, on the button this time and that's defended down off the back foot

83.4

McGrath to Giles, FOUR, ah. The bouncer was a good idea, but with too much width - Giles leaps up on his back foot and dinks it over the slips

83.5

McGrath to Giles, no run, ooh, more width again and Giles can't resist flashing hard at it, but it nearly takes his edge on the way through to Gilchrist

83.6

McGrath to Giles, no run, that one veers off a crack into Giles' midriff and he bends over as he tries to defend

"Who we aaaaaare," thunder the Army, with the echoes ringing out around a pretty empty Gabba

84.1

Lee to Jones, no run, a better line, straight, and that's defended into the leg-side by Jones

84.2

Lee to Jones, no run, good stuff again and that's a regulation defence on the front foot

"Barmy Army, Barmy Army, Barmy Army," chant the, er, I've forgotten

84.3

Lee to Jones, (no ball) 1 run, overstepping there, and that's helped out to cover as the batsmen race through a single

"I reckon the Aussie fans are outnumbered at least 1000 to 1," observes Andrew Miller

84.3

Lee to Giles, no run, defended easily

The camera pans to a pensive Pietersen presumably thinking "Oh, blow, I really shouldn't have got out" or words to that effect. Hoggard is next to him, in similar pensive mode... he's still got his innings to come of course

84.4

Lee to Giles, no run, defended again, on the back foot this time

84.5

Lee to Giles, no run, defended yet again

84.6

Lee to Giles, no run, Giles steps across to dig at that one which flies through a touch wide, but his is a swing which misses

85.1

McGrath to Jones, no run, defended on the front foot

85.2

McGrath to Jones, no run, that one, coming through at 133kph, is left alone

85.3

McGrath to Jones, FOUR, another lovely stroke from Jones, stepping into a neat, nay textbook, cover-drive and the ball flies right off the face of the bat

85.4

McGrath to Jones, no run, left alone this time

85.5

McGrath to Jones, no run, Jones watches that one sail past him, arcing gently away as it goes, through to Gilchrist

85.6

McGrath to Jones, no run, ooh, a bit of lift surprises Jones, but the ball's too high and wide to be of interest and he lets it go on its merry way into the gloves

86.1

Lee to Giles, no run, ooh, a good'un there, decent length and that threatens - like a naughty mosquito - to nibble at Giles's edge. Giles realises he's been done and stares at Lee, in appreciation

86.2

Lee to Giles, no run, that one's left alone

86.3

Lee to Giles, 1 no ball, just oversteps a touch and pings it in on a length in front of off; it's easily defended

86.3

Lee to Giles, no run, again that one's on a decent length and it's defended

86.4

Lee to Giles, no run, ooh, good stuff there from Lee who unleashes a pearler which nearly, nearly caresses Giles's bat on its way through

86.5

Lee to Giles, no run, a more solid defence from Giles this time

86.6

Lee to Giles, no run, defended off the back foot

Pietersen now his hands on his hips on the balcony and glances up at the skies, hoping for some rain

87.1

McGrath to Jones, OUT, that one kept low and Jones, trying to play freely on the off-side, gets a bottom edge which crashes back on to his stumps. A good line and it's all smiles and high tens for McGrath and Australia, who are sensing that the end is nigh. Jones has batted nicely for his 33, but it's highly unlikely to have been enough to save England. Click here for the picture

GO Jones b McGrath 33 (68m 48b 5x4 0x6) SR: 68.75

In plods Hoggard, who takes his time to take his guard

87.2

McGrath to Hoggard, no run, crab-like defence from Hoggard, almost Chanderpaul-esque, as he crouches over that one

87.3

McGrath to Hoggard, no run, left alone this time

87.4

McGrath to Hoggard, no run, Hoggard takes one tentative step towards that one, an innocuous delivery sailing down the channel, and then steps away, not interested

87.5

McGrath to Hoggard, no run, good stuff from McGrath. Pace, bounce and that one has Hoggard swaying away as it rears alarmingly at the last minute

87.6

McGrath to Hoggard, 1 run, eased into the gully region and that rounds off a very decent over from McGrath

88.1

Lee to Hoggard, no run, Hoggard, like an inquisitive puppy, sniffs at that one, but decides to leave it at the last minute

88.2

Lee to Hoggard, no run, jabs down his bat at the last minute and keeps a decent delivery, low and on middle, out

88.3

Lee to Hoggard, no run, that one's wider and goes even wider as it bends away from the right-hander who chooses early to leave it alone

88.4

Lee to Hoggard, 1 run, teases that one into midwicket

88.5

Lee to Giles, 1 run, worked off his legs into midwicket

88.6

Lee to Hoggard, no run, defended this time

89.1

McGrath to Giles, 2 runs, squeezed off the back foot backward of point

89.2

McGrath to Giles, no run, driven off the back foot, without much power, into the covers

89.3

McGrath to Giles, no run, ooh, that one kept low and Giles does well to keep his wicket there, as the ball, like a really rubbish razor, just fails to shave the inside edge

89.4

McGrath to Giles, no run, ducks under a short one and it flies through Gilchrist

Clark is loosening up

89.5

McGrath to Giles, 1 run, eased off the back foot into the covers

89.6

McGrath to Hoggard, no run, a play and a miss

Shane Warne is off the field. Clark is coming on to bowl, replacing Lee. Ah, Warne is back on the field now.

90.1

Clark to Giles, no run, oh, hello. What did that hit? Giles is completely bemused as that ball pitches outside leg, bangs into a crack and moves like a legspinner towards first slip

90.2

Clark to Giles, no run, plays that one watchfully - and given the last delivery, no wonder - forward with a deliberate press to cover

90.3

Clark to Giles, 2 runs

90.4

Clark to Giles, 2 runs, a thick outside edge runs away hard

90.5

Clark to Giles, no run, ah, interesting, interesting. That seemed like a nick, there, as if the ball had taken Giles's outside edge, but it was a mere whoosh. Terrific delivery, mind

90.6

Clark to Giles, no run, defended on the back foot this time

"Hang on, I've got my box caught up in my undies," offers Boonie, although we weren't aware he was in the XI.

91.1

McGrath to Hoggard, no run, quiet defence

91.2

McGrath to Hoggard, 4 leg byes, oh hello. That one's been given as leg-byes, coming off his arm as he fends it in front of his face as it rears off a length and zips up

91.3

McGrath to Hoggard, no run, that one's in the channel this time and there's a swing and a miss

91.4

McGrath to Hoggard, no run, defended off the back foot

McGrath's looking a bit tired here but there's no way he wants to stop bowling

91.5

McGrath to Hoggard, no run, a loose one here and that swings away down leg

91.6

McGrath to Hoggard, no run, in trying to get the ball straighter, McGrath overcompensates and that just one flings a bit wide down off

92.1

Clark to Giles, FOUR, huge cheers as Giles thumps that square as you like through the off-side

92.2

Clark to Giles, no run, left alone

92.3

Clark to Giles, no run, a touch of width and Giles is quick on to that one, firing it to point where it's scooped neatly

Warne is stretching - watch out for your bails, England

92.4

Clark to Giles, 2 runs, defended on the front foot

92.5

Clark to Giles, OUT, edged - and gone. That one, on a decent length, squares Giles up a treat and the outside edge flies straight to Warne at first slip; such chances don't come much more straightforward. Giles, like a simpering lover who can't accept he's been dumped, lingers longingly at the crease, but indeed he has been dismissed and he trudges slowly off

AF Giles c Warne b Clark 23 (55m 38b 3x4 0x6) SR: 60.52

And the players snook some drinks in there at the loss of that wicket. Now, here's a member of the original Dad's Army to take you through to lunch (or possibly the end of the match, whichever comes sooner). It's Martin Williamson

Thanks Jenny. I suspect that this will be the final spell ... no need to worry about weather forecasts or food poisoning.

92.6

Clark to Harmison, no run, outside off stump and Harmison aims a disinterested swish

93.1

McGrath to Hoggard, no run, McGrath at his steady best

93.2

McGrath to Hoggard, no run, Hoggard gets into line and blocks it

And for those who are tired of hearing about the Barmy Army ... they've gone very quiet suddenly so nothing to report

93.3

McGrath to Hoggard, no run, again on the spot and Hoggard into line

93.4

McGrath to Hoggard, 1 run, tight run. Hoggard played that to cover and took on Clarke who picked up and threw in one movement ... Hoggard stretched for home and would have made it even if the throw had hit

93.5

McGrath to Harmison, no run, short and Harmison beaten

93.6

McGrath to Harmison, no run, Harmison left that alone, good leave

94.1

Clark to Hoggard, FOUR, short, edged short of Warne at first slip, bounced just in front of him and past him to the boundary

94.2

Clark to Hoggard, no run, again short and this time Hoggard gets everything into line and drops it at his feet

94.3

Clark to Hoggard, no run, another one at midriff height but slightly leg side and Hoggard sways inside the line

94.4

Clark to Hoggard, no run, much the same, down the leg side and flicks Hoggard's shirt on the way through ... a half-hearted appeal from Gilchrist but nobody took that seriously

"Same old Aussies, always cheating," chirp the Barmy Army

94.5

Clark to Hoggard, no run, again short. Clark needs to sort his length out here

94.6

Clark to Hoggard, 1 run, yet again slightly short and leg side, flicked away to long leg

And here comes Shane Warne for the first time today

95.1

Warne to Hoggard, no run, fullish and Hoggard pats it away

95.2

Warne to Hoggard, 1 leg bye, good shout for lbw. Hoggard swept a straight one that kept it's line. Bucknor not interested but Warne gave him a long stare

Fine decision as it pitched just outside leg stump

95.3

Warne to Harmison, no run, played into the off side

95.4

Warne to Harmison, no run, well blocked but still some groans from the men in close

95.5

Warne to Harmison, no run, shapes to sweep but it spins behind his legs and just about misses leg stump

95.6

Warne to Harmison, 1 run, premeditated sweep from outside off stump, fetched to backward square leg

Thanks for your emails asking for a weather update. "Well," begins Andrew Miller, "that dark bank of clouds has seen the score and decided to go and rain on a more deserving cause. It's currently headed for a third-grade match at Indooraphilly."

96.1

Clark to Harmison, no run, outside off stump and Harmison prods at it as if it he wanted to see if it was still alive

96.2

Clark to Harmison, 1 run, flicked round to square leg

96.3

Clark to Hoggard, no run, short, Hoggard forced back and plays it with a degree of discomfort

Barmy Army must have been on a beer/toilet break. They're back and they're singing. Same songs, but what do you expect?

96.4

Clark to Hoggard, no run, short and Hoggard theatrically pulls back his bat

96.5

Clark to Hoggard, no run, played into the covers

The singing is now entirely of football songs and the national anthem ... any semblance that this is a cricket match seems to have been dispensed with

96.6

Clark to Hoggard, no run, safely defended

97.1

Warne to Harmison, no run, straight, Harmison forward and a loud shout but it pitched well outside leg. Warne knew that, you suspect, but the appeal adds to the pressure

97.2

Warne to Harmison, no run, fullish, no dramas

97.3

Warne to Harmison, no run, Harmison sweeps and misses, the ball loops to short point off the pad and there's a confident appeal but again it missed by some way

97.4

Warne to Harmison, 2 runs, fetched from outside off stump and in cow corner direction

97.5

Warne to Harmison, FOUR

97.6

Warne to Harmison, no run, Harmsion sweeps with such gusto that he almost falls over ... he misses it and it plops off his front leg fine on the leg side

98.1

Clark to Hoggard, no run, jagged back off the seam into Hoggard's chest. An audible grunt as it thuds into his body

98.2

Clark to Hoggard, OUT, the two-card trick. One short, and the next full, outside off stump and Hoggard drives with no discernible foot movement and Warne takes a regulation catch at first slip. Click here for the picture

MJ Hoggard c Warne b Clark 8 (49m 35b 1x4 0x6) SR: 22.85

James Anderson comes in. It must be almost over as Ian Botham is in full rant mode about England's lack of preparation etc ... he is turning into a 21st century Fred Trueman

98.3

Clark to Anderson, no run, angled into the slips, confident start

98.4

Clark to Anderson, no run, played into the leg side

"We are the Barmy Army," they sing. Well, knock me over with a feather ...

98.5

Clark to Anderson, no run, pushed into the covers

"ICC ... a waste of space," splutters Fred Botham to no one in particular

98.6

Clark to Anderson, no run, Anderson again safely keeps that one out

99.1

Warne to Harmison, FOUR, Harmison may only have one shot - the sweep - but he plays it well. That one ended up flashing through wide midwicket

99.2

Warne to Harmison, 1 run, gently run up to mid-off

"Harmison has not bowled enough," says a TV pundit. For the 1045th time.

99.3

Warne to Anderson, no run, watched and left alone, it turned but started too wide

99.4

Warne to Anderson, FOUR, that was even wider and Anderson reaches and slashes that through point. That was a teaser and Anderson took the bait

99.5

Warne to Anderson, no run, wide into the rough, that really bit and turned

99.6

Warne to Anderson, no run, short and Anderson shapes to cut but is undone by a bit of extra bounce