England plans fall into Australia's hands

Morale put to the sword by Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden, England suffered further embarrassment when it emerged secret plans purporting to detail Australia's weaknesses found their way into opposition hands.

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After centuries from Hayden and Symonds put Australia in full command after day two of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, England's team management were busy trying to get to the bottom of how a secret battle plan was leaked to local media.

The document, which listed alleged frailties of each member of Australia's batting line-up, was emailed to a radio station and aired much to the amusement of home fans.

"We're talking to the ICC (International Cricket Council) and Cricket Australia, they are very disappointed about it," England team spokesman Andrew Walpole told reporters.

"We're trying to establish whether it was taken from the dressing room or another area of the ground. We are continuing with our investigations."

Stolen or not, the document did England precious little good as Symonds and Hayden put on an imperious sixth-wicket stand of 279 to effectively put the match out of the tourists' reach.

Symonds, who was susceptible to short-pitched deliveries according to the mislaid notes, hit 14 fours and a six for his first test century as Australia surged to a 213-run lead with three first-innings wickets remaining.

England's bowlers were advised to work on Hayden's 'ego' by bowling dot balls and having an extra fielder close to the bat, but the burly opener still managed to resist for almost seven hours in hitting 153.

One area where England's plans were successful was with Ricky Ponting.

He was supposed to be susceptible to pulls in front of square early in his innings, and the tactic paid off for England when the Australian skipper was caught for seven skying to midwicket from a short Andrew Flintoff delivery.

REPAIR DAMAGE

Though disappointed about the errant document, England bowler Matthew Hoggard admitted it had clearly made little difference on a day dominated by Hayden and Symonds.

"It makes no difference to me, I just close my eyes and whack it down anyway," joked Hoggard, adding the likes of Miss Marple and Sherlock Holmes had been enlisted to find the culprit.

"It details plans of how we want to get players out and unfortunately someone has taken it and given it to the Australians.

"It's unfortunate that a document can be taken from a dressing room, you would have though security in international cricket would be tighter than that."

Hoggard said England had failed to grab their opportunities during the series while Australia always had someone to come in and repair any damage.

England had gained the upper hand in the morning session with the wickets of Ponting, Mike Hussey and Michael Clarke to reduce Australia to 84-5 before the Symonds and Hayden onslaught.

"It's been very frustrating, we've created the chances but we haven't been able to take them and they have always had someone to raise their game and given the initiative back to Australia.

"We haven't had the rub of the green with some close decisions but you can't use that as an excuse. "We need to take three quick wickets (tomorrow) and bat for a long time."

Photograph: Getty Images | Text: Reuters