This is the 17th part in a series recounting the 2005 Ashes, as it occurred a decade ago.

Morning

Gilchrist gets a single off the first ball of the day, taking Australia to 100, though they have plenty of work left just to avoid the follow-on. The keeper quickly goes into attack mode, taking four boundaries off one Hoggard over, while Katich gets several himself off Flintoff. When Simon Jones is brought on for a spell, he wastes no time, taking the wickets of Katich & Warne in successive balls. Lee competently defends the hat-trick ball, and Gilchrist looks set to resume his effective start. However, Flintoff finds an edge, leading to a spectacular diving catch from Strauss, leaving Australia eight down, still more than 100 from the target to avoid batting again. The next over, Simon Jones bowls Kasprowicz, then gets his five-for when Lee sends one to Bell at third man. The last-wicket partnership does put together several boundaries, but being 259 behind, England do enforce the follow-on.

Australia finish the first innings 218 all out.

It’s the first time in 190 Tests that Australia have followed on, a significant statistic in cricket history. Langer & Hayden only get four overs before the lunch break, but get to 14 without loss.

Afternoon

Fans are still amazed at the fact that England have managed to make Australia follow on, as opposed to Zimbabwe & Bangladesh. However, the visitors have an opportunity to show exactly why they’ve been the dominant force in Test cricket for a generation. The openers get into the 20s without much trouble, until Hayden finds Giles at gully, Flintoff working his magic again. Ponting starts extremely patiently, knowing another innings like his 2nd at Old Trafford is required at this point. Langer gets a reprieve when dropped by Strauss, who bobbles what would’ve been a much simpler catch compared to what he managed in the morning. Giles, who didn’t bowl at all in the first innings, limits the runs without finding a breakthrough to start, while Australia get to 100. Both batsmen then adopt a patient approach, Langer closing in on his 50, and reaching it in the last over before tea. Australia get to 115/1 at the interval.

Evening

Langer adds one more boundary, reaching 61, before Giles gets him after a two-and-a-half-hour spell at the crease. Martyn & Ponting rebuild the innings, taking Australia to 150. The captain gets to 48, continuing his attempt to copy his superb innings in Manchester. However, he’s run out trying to complete a single, by 12th man Gary Pratt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeTwBM6HEEM

Ponting feels that England have been stretching the rules with extra fielders, against the spirit of the game, although Pratt is in for a legitimately injured Simon Jones. In another defining moment of the series, Ponting expresses his displeasure to coach Duncan Fletcher with a few choice words. But the call stands; the captain is out, and Martyn edges behind to Geraint Jones shortly afterward, leaving Australia four down. Katich and Clarke slowly repair the innings, with a combination of patient singles and boundaries. The two take Australia past 200, still trailing England, but confident that should the hosts win, they’ll have to bat a second time to do so. Flintoff & Giles look for a wicket late in the day without success, as Australia look to have some momentum going into the fourth day.

After Day 3, Australia are 222/4 in the second innings. England lead by 37 runs.