Australia’s bowlers destroy dismal England

England endured the worst possible start to the fourth Test at Headingley as Australia's bowlers ran riot and skittled the hosts for just 102.

Andrew Strauss won the toss and decided to bat - a decision that will haunt him for the rest of his career. He was the first man out for just three and his dismissal sparked a collapse of monumental proportions.

England's innings lasted less than 34 overs and only two men, Alastair Cook and wicket keeper Matt Prior, who was only just passed fit after a back spasm, made it into double figures.

Stuart Clark, on his return to the Australian side, and Peter Siddle were the main destroyers, with three and five wickets respectively.

After England's catastrophic efforts with the bat Australia took an even stronger grip on the Test and compounded the English humiliation as they raced to 50 off just seven overs for the loss of one wicket.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:Andrew Miller, Cricinfo: "If England looked disorientated after winning the toss, it was little wonder after a crazy morning's build-up, which began with a 5am fire alarm at the team hotel, and crescendo-ed an hour before the toss, when Prior - who has been so pivotal to their fortunes as a counterattacking No. 6 - went down with a back spasm while playing football."

David Hopps, the Guardian: "It had been a good toss for Australia to lose, but don't believe that Headingley, historically the most capricious of England's Test grounds, was showing the malice of old. Not one of England's dismissals could be put down to a rogue delivery. They had dared to replace Flintoff with an extra bowler, Steve Harmison, rather than shore up the batting with a debut for Jonathan Trott, in the belief that they could win the Ashes at Headingley. Those who had regarded it as ill-advised were not short of evidence."

Richard Hobson and Ben Smith, the Times: "Stephen Harmison marked his return to the side with a wicket in his first over as England battled to recover from a humiliating first innings total of 102. Australia's pace attack left England's batsmen in disarray on a day of chaos and confusion at Headingley Carnegie, but Harmison offered a glimer of hope when Simon Katich failed to deal with a rising delivery that rapped him on the gloves and carried to Ravi Bopara at leg gully, to leave Australia's reply on 14 for one." ·