Cricket: Ponting fumes as Australia face follow-on

NOTTINGHAM, England - Australia, forced to follow on for the first time in 17 years, were battling for their Ashes survival after a day laced with high drama and controversy overnight (NZ time).

The world champions closed the third day of the fourth test against England at Trent Bridge on a backs-to-the-wall 222 for four, needing 37 more runs to avoid an innings defeat.

Michael Clarke, missed off a routine stumping by Geraint Jones shortly before the close, was on 39 not out and Simon Katich on 24.

The series is level at 1-1.

England had wrapped up Australia's first innings for 218 during an enthralling morning, fast bowler Simon Jones completing a five-wicket haul to leave the touring side with a 259-run deficit.

The Australians rediscovered their composure in reaching 155 for two at the second attempt but moments later captain Ricky Ponting was stomping back to the pavilion in a fury.

Damien Martyn had prodded into the covers and called for a non-existent single. Substitute fielder Gary Pratt, on for Jones, swooped and hit the stumps directly with Ponting a yard short.

Ponting, who had scored 48 and made a big century in the third test to save his side, approached the umpire before firing off angry words towards England's fielders before heading off. He also appeared to shout up at the home team's balcony, where coach Duncan Fletcher had been sitting.

Australia have been annoyed by England's regular use of specialist substitute fielders throughout the series, believing the home side's first-choice players often take breaks despite not being genuinely injured.

It was later announced that Simon Jones had gone to hospital for treatment on an injured right ankle.

Ponting's anger would have doubled 13 balls later when Martyn played back to Flintoff and snicked behind to make it 161 for four.

But Clarke and Katich, batting with great caution, put on 61 before bad light cut 15 minutes off the day. Earlier Justin Langer, dropped on 37 by Strauss in the slips, made 61.

Australia were last forced to follow on by Pakistan in Karachi in September 1988, 191 tests ago. There have been occasions during that run when opposing sides could have enforced the follow-on against Australia but declined.

The morning had been less ill-tempered but as enthralling, with Jones' swing bowling the main feature and an Andrew Strauss catch the high point.

Australia resumed on 99 for five in reply to the home side's 477 and tried to blaze their way back in the match, Adam Gilchrist and Katich putting on 58 at a run a ball.

The tactic, though, backfired as the last five wickets keeled over for 61 runs in 65 balls.

Matthew Hoggard had been hammered out of the attack -- his third over went for 22 -- but Simon Jones had no such difficulties.

He took two wickets in his first three balls, and three for one run in 13 deliveries on the way to figures of five for 44.

Katich, having made 45, swatted a wide delivery to Strauss, one of two gullies. Shane Warne, whose barnacle batting helped saved Australia in the third test, followed immediately, looping a leading edge to cover.

Soon Gilchrist, starved of the strike, edged Flintoff. Strauss, at second slip, flew to his left and flung out a telescopic arm to complete a remarkable catch before being mobbed by his team mates.

Australia's only consolation came in the shape of Brett Lee, who hoisted three mid-wicket sixes, two of them out of the ground off Steve Harmison. He top-scored with 47 before Jones had him caught off an upper-cut to third man to end the innings.

- REUTERS