The best of the action on day three of the first Ashes Test

The England team head to the pitch hoping it won't be another difficult day against the Aussies, who scored 249-1 yesterday Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

But Ricky Ponting is on top form again, adroitly sweeping Monty Panesar's delivery Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

Simon Katich looks to the sky after he was hit in the back by Andrew Flintoff Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

Is there any hope of getting this pair out? They've led Australia to the brink of the 300 mark ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

Panesar watches from the deep Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

The new ball is thrown back to him from the stands after Ponting had hooked James Anderson for four Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

Anderson finally gets a wicket – Katich LBW – and England are rolling at last Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

A British flag waves as the team gather after dismissing Katich Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

England's fielders are keen for another wicket ... and it's not long before Mike Hussey falters with the bat. He's caught for three by Matt Prior off Anderson's bowling leaving Australia on 325-3 Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

Soon afterwards, Panesar bowls Ponting and leaps into the air in celebration. At last England's chief tormentor is gone, having plundered 150 runs Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

The Australia captain traipses off Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

Fans in Mexican outfits revel in the occasion ... sensing, perhaps, that this match is still in the balance Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

... while two Scooby Doos head for a refill Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

Panesar sends one down the track Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

Marcus North steers his delivery wide of Paul Collingwood Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

Flintoff's beer tally grows steadily through the afternoon... according to these scurrilous Australians Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

North top edges a sweep off Panesar Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

Flintoff is brought into the attack to find a breakthrough ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

But there's no magic from him today and he looks tired after his stint Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

North cuts Collingwood for four and soon becomes the fourth Australian to make a half century in this innings Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

Clarke and North confer at the crease - though they hardly need to as their plan has worked from the outset. Strauss, meanwhile, cuts a disconsolate figure. Rain eventually stops play with Australia on 463-4 Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins