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Ashes 2002/3 | Australia v England 4th Test | Melbourne
Australia
v England M.C.G Melbourne, 26 - 30th December 2002
Result: Australia
Won by 5 wickets
Umpires
: R Tiffin (ZI) and D Orchard (SA)
Match
Reports : Day
1; Day
2; Day
3 - Day
5 - Scorecard
Toss:
Australia
Australia
closed their innings on 6 for 551 declared when Adam
Gilchrist fell cheaply for one run.
The
day belonged to Justin Langer who hit a massive double
century made the most of some ordinary bowling from
the recognised and not so recognised England attack.
 Langer's
250 was his highest Test score and the best by an
Australian against England since Bob Cowper's 307
also at the Melbourne Cricket Ground back in 1966,
36 years earlier at the same ground in 1966. The diminutive
batsman was at the crease for just under 10 hours
and faced 407 balls, hitting 30 boundaries and one
huge century reaching six.
He
shared in three century partnerships; the first with
Hayden (195) on day one, the second with Australian
skipper Steve Waugh (129) and finally with debutant
Martin Love (151).
Steve
Waugh was the first two go, falling to a caught behind
off Craig White for 77 but even though he didn't stay
at the crease for long on the second morning, the
Australian captain had answered his critics with style
and elegance. Only time will tell if we see Waugh
touring the West Indies after the World Cup in 2003.
Caddick,
who's form has been questioned over the last year
or so decided that he wasn't happy with his end and
after only one over changed ends with a bemused Harmison.
It really does make the mind boggle as to why England
are so accommodating of Andy Caddick, especially given
that Harmison has shown more heart and guts in one
innings than Caddick has all series.
With
Waugh the only wicket to fall in an 89 runs scoring
morning session, Vaughan didn't help their cause when
he dropped a sitter off Love and a harder chance off
Langer who was on 223 at the time. The drop allowed
Langer to go past his previous high score against
India in the memorable series in 2000.
It
was left to Dawson to tame the amazing opener when
he had him dismissed after reaching his landmark score
of 250. Six runs later Waugh called it a day with
six wickets down and a lead of 551.
 As
if things couldn't get any worse for Michael Vaughan,
he fell cheaply to Glenn McGrath when he played on
for only 11 - England were 1 for 13. For once it wasn't
Trescothick to depart early.
Brett
Lee was taunted by the England fans, calling no ball
every delivery but it was he who had the last laugh
when he had Trescothick caught behind by Gilchrist
for 37, England were at this stage 2 for 73.
Hussain
was involved in yet another controversial incident
when he stood his ground after he chipped a loose
shot to Gillespie at mid-off. The England captain
refused to budge and Darryl hair deliberated for 5
minutes before giving the batsman not out, yet another
dubious decision with the technology available to
the armchair umpire.
Honours
were even at the close when Butcher who clearly nicked
the ball into his pads was given out leg-before off
Gillespie for 25. It's such a shame that the biggest
series in World cricket has been marred by errors
such as this by the officials. No wonder batsmen now
refuse to walk until technology fails to confirm what
everyone else on the park knows what truly happened.
Dawson
came in as night watchman and saw out the final over
and at stumps on day two, England are 3 for 97, 454
runs behind Australia's first innings total.
England
fast bowler Andy Caddick was reported to the match
referee for an alleged show of dissent after he questioned
a no ball call from one of the umpires.
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