Australia pile on the agony for England

BRISBANE, Nov 24 (Reuters) England lost three quick wickets in the last hour to slump to 53 for three in reply to Australia's 602-9 declared on the second day of the first Ashes test today.

Glenn McGrath dismissed England openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook in successive balls and Stuart Clark removed Paul Collingwood to leave the tourists reeling after Australia had posted their highest total for 60 years in a home Ashes test.

Ian Bell was unbeaten on 13 at the close and Kevin Pietersen on six with England still 549 runs behind and 350 short of avoiding the follow-on at the start of their bid to defend the Ashes they won last year for the first time since 1989.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting fell agonisingly short of a double-century when he went for 196. Mike Hussey (86), Justin Langer (82) and Michael Clarke (56) scored half-centuries against a disappointing England attack.

With the exception of skipper Andrew Flintoff, who took four for 99, England's seamers failed to make any real impression on the Australian batsmen. Matthew Hoggard took two wickets and Steve Harmison and James Anderson one each.

REUTERS AY VV1330