Tim Bresnan’s triple strike helped England inch closer to winning their first ever Ashes series in Australia in 24 years. At the end of day three of the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia were reduced to 169/6, with all the top-order batsmen back in pavilion. 
When Australia began the final session at 95/1, with two settled batsmen at the crease and a pitch that had no real demons in it, Australia would have hoped to make a draw out of the game. However, everything changed in the first half an hour as Australia lost three wickets for just five runs. Shane Watson (54) was the first to go when he padded a Bresnan in-swinger; the UDRS not helping his cause. Ricky Ponting (20) dragged one onto his stumps, ending his painful stay at the crease. Bresnan then removed crisis-man Mike Hussey for a seven-ball duck to completely demoralize the Aussies.
Graeme Swann then castled Michael Clarke (13), who guided a well bowled off spinner to Andrew Strauss at second slip. Clarke had got a reprieve earlier, when Matt Prior missed an easy stumping chance but the batsman failed to convert that into a substantial innings. James Anderson then bowled Steven Smith (38) to start the celebrations in the English camp. Brad Haddin (11) and Mitchell Johnson (6) were at the crease at close of play.
Earlier, England were dismissed for 513 in the first session, with an overall lead of 415 runs. Overnight batsman Jonathan Trott remained unbeaten on 168 runs, his highest score against the Australians. Peter Siddle returned figures of 6/75 on his home ground but he would be disappointed that this effort couldn’t ensure an Australian victory. The Australian openers started positively, but a mix-up resulted in Watson running Philip Hughes (23) out.
However, Watson went on to register his fourth fifty of the series but could not convert that into a century; a habit that the batsman has failed to overcome again and again.
The game might well be over by early Wednesday and this would mean that England will retain the Ashes with an unassailable 2-1 lead.