Boxing Day Test: Home boy has England on the ropes

Warne returned 5-39 from 17.2 overs — including 4-18 as England lost its last six wickets for 42 after tea — for his 37th five-wicket innings haul.

Warne compared it with the “special days” in his life, like having children, getting married and making his Test debut.

The English hit back late with captain Andrew Flintoff taking wickets on consecutive balls, both caught behind, as Australia slipped from 44 without loss to 44 for two.

Chris Read, recalled at the expense of Geraint Jones, took a low catch to complete the dismissal of Justin Langer (27) and then held onto a thick edge from nightwatchman Brett Lee (0) on the next ball.

Ricky Ponting watched the hat-trick ball go down legside and did not score in the remaining seven minutes before stumps. Matthew Hayden was unbeaten on 17 and Australia was 48 for two.

Flintoff had 2-20 from five overs and Matthew Hoggard, who had two justifiable shouts for lbw against Hayden turned down, returned 0-27.

Having already guaranteed they will reclaim the Ashes with a 3-0 series lead, Australia are pushing to be only the second team to sweep a five-Test Ashes series.

Warne was urged on by a 89,155-strong crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground that chanted for him to be introduced to the attack for most of the rain-interrupted morning. He took the ball in England’s 41st over and claimed his 700th wicket on the second ball of his fourth over when he squeezed a delivery between Strauss’ bat and pad.

Strauss was out for 50 and England slipped to 101 for four, and never really recovered. Warne wheeled around to his left, pointing his right finger in the air, as the huge crowd rose to give him a standing ovation.

Warne said he was overcome by emotion. Strauss said it was a moment most of the cricket world would remember, but one he’d rather forget.

When Warne took the last wicket on a gloomy day and on a field illuminated by floodlights — Monty Panesar caught by Andrew Symonds at mid-on — Warne held the ball up to more thunderous applause from his home crowd.

The fast bowlers all contributed, with Lee and Stuart Clark taking two wickets apiece and Glenn McGrath — who also is playing his next-to-last Test match — returning 1-37 in 20 overs.

Strauss had defied the Australian bowlers for 205 minutes to post his first half century of the series, having a reprieve on 41 when he sliced Clark to gully and Hayden put down a regulation chance.

Warne dismissed Strauss leaving England’s last recognized batsmen at the crease. He then helped remove Flintoff (13), holding a catch at slip off Clark’s bowling as England lost its fifth wicket. Then Warne got on a roll. He removed Read (3) and Steve Harmison (7), had a frustrated Pietersen (21) caught inside the long-on rope for 21 and finished off with Panesar.