Australia's hopes of regaining the Ashes will officially end today on day four of the fourth Ashes cricket Test at the MCG.
Set 415 to make England bat again, Australia lurched to 169 for 6 at stumps yesterday on day three.
With doubt over whether tailender Ryan Harris will even bat because of an ankle stress fracture, Andrew Strauss' England side are poised to claim an innings victory, take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series and retain the urn.
Opener Shane Watson made 54 in Australia's second innings before being caught out LBW without offering a shot and concedes the home side's Ashes hopes are gone.
Paceman Tim Bresnan was the chief destroyer for England as the tourists tightened their already vice-like grip on the Ashes urn.
Bresnan, who was called into the side for Steve Finn, took three wickets in a brilliant spell after tea to leave Australia reeling and described yesterday as the greatest day in his circuiting career.
The tourists need only clinch the remaining four wickets to go 2-1 up with one to play in the five-match series and become the first England team to take home the Ashes since 1987.
