No batsman has taken complete control of the innings, rather it is a case of several parts of the Australian whole taking the attack to the depleted English bowling resources.

By tea today, the Australian lead has been extended to 161 runs, and still four wickets are in hand at 6/346, with captain Steve Waugh completing his half-century just before the break.

With Chris Silverwood ruled out of the remainder of the Test match, the already depleted England bowling has been struggling to compensate for the loss of experience of their leading bowlers.

Damien Martyn, Waugh and Adam Gilchrist have capitalised to play their shots and keep the score relentlessly climbing higher and higher.

Martyn and Waugh combined briefly before the West Australian tried to play a square-drive with no feet movement and was caught by Alec Stewart behind the stumps for 71. It was a reserved innings from Martyn, who used his knowledge of his home pitch to play to his strengths.

Gilchrist came to the crease to a loud and expectant roar from his home crowd and he pleased them almost immediately. He hit the English bowlers all over the ground, particularly when they bowled wide and short of off.

Gilchrist and Waugh added a quick 52 runs before Gilchrist, trying to play the hook shot, got out similarly to Darren Lehmann just before lunch. Alex Tudor incredibly close to the rope caught Gilchrist at deep fine leg. His 38 runs came off just 28 deliveries. There was a consultation between the umpires over whether Tudor's catch was legal or whether he stood on the boundary rope, but eventually he was on his way.

Waugh and Shane Warne saw Australia safely to tea and the Australian skipper brought up his half-century. Waugh started slowly and scratched around for early runs. Yet as he got his eye in, the runs flowed and so did Australia’s lead.

At lunch on day two, Australia had built a 41-run lead, being 4/226.

But compounding the English woes is the news that fast-medium bowler Chris Silverwood, who came into the match as a replacement for MattHew Hoggard, injured his ankle ligaments in the field on day one.

That has increased the load on Alex Tudor and Steve Harmison, and the pressure didn't fit too well with Harmison who several times looked to lose his rhythm during the morning session.

His problems however, have been of little consequence for the Australian batsmen.

Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn, the overnight batsmen, both reached 50 with some cracking boundaries resulting from their forceful shots.

After crafting his half-century, Ponting was touched up by Tudor with a short one that got him under the ribs.

England captain Nasser Hussain replaced Harmison with Craig White and got immediate results. White swung the ball late from off to leg and took out the stumps. Ponting showed little footwork and White's inswinger beat him comprehensively.

Darren Lehmann promoted up the order, due to Steve Waugh having an upset stomach, went out and made his 42 runs quickly. His partner, Martyn took the other option and was watchful and reserved. He waited for the bad balls and punished them accordingly. By lunch Martyn was unbeaten on 50, his runs having come off 120 balls

After making 100 runs in the session, Lehmann holed out to his brother-in-law once again quite similar to Matthew Hayden yesterday. Trying to hook White, he found Harmison on the boundary who took the simple catch.