England have claimed a first-innings lead of 415 runs after Australia finally bowled the tourists out for 513 at lunch on day three of the fourth Ashes cricket Test in Melbourne.
Aggressive quick Peter Siddle gave the MCG fans something to cheer about when the home-town hero bagged three of the five wickets to fall in the morning session to take 6-75 from 33.1 overs.
England's number three Jonathan Trott was unbeaten on 168 for England, hitting 14 fours in a disciplined eight-hour performance.
To add to Australia's woes, Siddle's fellow quick Ryan Harris limped off the field during the morning session with a left-ankle injury and is unlikely to bowl again in the match.
Australia were bowled out for 98 on day one and skipper Ponting was fined 40 per cent of his match fee for dissent after an on-field row with umpire Aleem Dar during the second day's play.
The five-match series is level at one-all and an England win would allow the tourists to retain the Ashes, heaping pressure on the under-siege Ponting to hold his job as captain or even as a player, averaging only 15.50 so far in the series.
