Vodafone Ashes Series 2010-11 - - 4th Test Updates/Highlights (Day 2): Unbeaten Partnership Between Prior and Trott Helps England Build Huge Lead of 346 Runs

Jonathan Trott hit an unbeaten century to lift England to a 346-run lead over Australia on day two of the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Trott scored 141 and shared an unbroken stand of 158 with Matt Prior, who made 75 not out, as the touring team reached 444-5 at stumps after slipping to 286-5 before the tea break.

England, which would retain the Ashes by winning at the MCG, has three days remaining to try to force a victory after dismissing Australia for a record-low 98 on day one. Not since 1907 has any team scoring under 100 in the first innings of a Test fought back to win.

The best-of-five contest is tied at 1-1 following Australia’s 267-run triumph in Perth. As Ashes holder, England would keep the trophy by tying the series. The English last successfully retained the Ashes in 1986-87, when Mike Gatting’s team secured a 2-1 win in Australia.

The Australians went wicket-less in a final session that yielded 140 runs as Trott and Prior racked up a record sixth- wicket partnership for England at the MCG. Home captain Ricky Ponting may also face disciplinary action after remonstrating with umpires Aleem Dar and Tony Hill after he unsuccessfully challenged a caught behind decision against Kevin Pietersen.

Trott reached triple figures for the third time in five matches against Australia with a boundary off Ryan Harris. It was his fifth century in 17 Tests since making his debut against the Australians 16 months ago.

Matt Prior, who was given a life on 5 when Mitchell Johnson had him caught behind off a no-ball, became the fourth England batsmen to make a half-century in the innings following Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook and Pietersen.

Prior had joined Trott after England lost three middle- order batsmen for 24 in the afternoon session.

Peter Siddle, who has taken 3-58, broke a 92-run stand between Trott and Pietersen by trapping Pietersen leg-before- wicket for 51 and then took two catches off Johnson’s bowling to remove Paul Collingwood for 8 and Ian Bell for 1.

Resuming at 157 without loss, England’s openers could only add two runs before Cook, on 82, edged a Siddle delivery to Shane Watson. Siddle then had Strauss caught by Mike Hussey for 69 to make it 170-2.

James Anderson and Chris Tremlett each took four wickets yesterday as Australia slumped to its lowest first-innings total in 133 years of elite Tests at the MCG after England captain Strauss won the toss and chose to bowl first.