Hoggard strikes twice for England

ADELAIDE, Dec 3 (Reuters) Seamer Matthew Hoggard captured two quick wickets as England began to turn the screws on Australia in the second Ashes test today.

Hoggard dismissed Matthew Hayden for 12 and Damien Martyn for 11 to leave Australia teetering on 105 for three at lunch on the third day at Adelaide Oval.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting survived a dropped catch and a run-out attempt to reach the interval unbeaten on 57 and a cautious Mike Hussey was on 13.

Australia started the day on 28 for one after England declared their massive first innings closed at 551 for six just before stumps yesterday. They added just 77 in the session to trail by 446 and 247 away from avoiding the follow-on.

The pitch, which had been ideal for batting over the first two days, was starting to play a few tricks, as England's seam bowlers found the right lines and lengths that were missing in their 277-run defeat in Brisbane.

Hoggard and Flintoff beat the bat a number of times and Steve Harmison, who was hopelessly erratic in Brisbane, bowled much better, although he did not take a wicket.

Hoggard dismissed Hayden with the total on 35 before the left-handed opener had added to his overnight score with a delivery that moved sharply off the pitch and caught the edge on the way through to wicketkeeper Geraint Jones.

Martyn batted 42 minutes for his 11 but gave his wicket away when he fended a low catch to Ian Bell at gully when he played forward and away from his body to a shortish delivery from Hoggard.

Ponting, who named man of the match in Brisbane after scoring 196 and 60 not out, had a let-off on 35 when he was dropped by Ashley Giles at deep square leg off Hoggard.

Giles had to leap in the air and throw his hands above his head to reach the ball but did get both hands on it.

England blew a second great chance to get rid off Ponting when Paul Collingwood missed with a throw at the stumps that would have run him out in the second last over of the session.

The ball went for two overthrows and Ponting brought his half-century in the last over when he pulled James Anderson for four then drove the next ball through the covers for another boundary.

REUTERS DH RAI0925