Robert Prezioso via Getty Images
England's bowlers could hold their heads high after ensuring day two of the fourth Ashes Test was by far the best of a sorry series to date for Alastair Cook's tourists.
James Anderson and Stuart Broad shared six wickets for 80 runs as Australia faltered to 164 for nine in reply to 255 all out at the MCG.
It was a heartening improvement in fortunes, if too late to affect the residence of the Ashes for the next 20 months after England lost the urn with three shuddering defeats down under already.
Melbourne Ashes Test, day 4
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(01 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Tim Bresnan of England is congratulated by team mates after taking the wicket of Mitchell Johnson of Australia during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Barmy Army Attend The Fourth Ashes Test(02 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: A Barmy Army fan is seen during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(03 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Ryan Harris of Australia is caught by Joe Root of England off the bowling of Stuart Broad of England during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(04 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Ryan Harris of Australia is caught by Joe Root of England off the bowling of Stuart Broad of England during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(05 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Jonny Bairstow of England celebrates with team-mates after taking a catch to dismiss George Bailey of Australia during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(06 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Piers Morgan talks to Shane Warne (R) who laughs as Mark Nicholas (C) looks on after facing deliveries from former Australian cricketer Brett Lee in the nets during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(07 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Piers Morgan laughs as he talks with former Australian cricketer Dean Jones after facing deliveries from former Australian cricketer Brett Lee in the nets during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(08 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Kevin Pietersen looks up next to the England flag as he walks out to the ground during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(09 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: James Anderson of England celebrates bowling Michael Clarke of Australia during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(10 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: A general view is seen as Michael Clarke of Australia hits the ball during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(11 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Jonny Bairstow of England slides for the ball during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(12 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Kevin Pietersen (L) and Tim Bresnan walk out to the ground during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(13 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Tim Bresnan of England celebrates taking the wicket of Chris Rogers of Australia during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(14 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Tim Bresnan of England celebrates taking the wicket of Chris Rogers of Australia during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(15 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Stuart Broad of England celebrates his dismissal of Ryan Harris of Australia with Kevin Pietersen (L) during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(16 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Stuart Broad (R) of England celebrates his dismissal of Ryan Harris of Australia with Kevin Pietersen during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(17 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Stuart Broad (R) of England celebrates his dismissal of Ryan Harris of Australia with Kevin Pietersen during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(18 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Stuart Broad (R) of England celebrates his dismissal of Ryan Harris of Australia with Kevin Pietersen during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(19 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: James Anderson of England appeals for the wicket of George Bailey of Australia during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(20 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Ryan Harris of Australia is caught by Joe Root of England during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(21 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Ryan Harris of Australia is caught by Joe Root of England during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(22 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Stuart Broad of England is congratulated by team mates after taking the wicket of Peter Siddle of Australia during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(23 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Ryan Harris of Australia is caught by Joe Root of England during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(24 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Stuart Broad of England is congratulated by team mates after taking the wicket of Peter Siddle of Australia during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(25 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Stuart Broad (R) of England celebrates his dismissal of Ryan Harris of Australia with Kevin Pietersen during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(26 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Ryan Harris of Australia is caught by Joe Root of England during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(27 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Stuart Broad of England is congratulated by team mates after taking the wicket of Peter Siddle of Australia during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(28 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Ian Bell of England takes a catch to dismiss Steven Smith of Australia during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(29 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Stuart Broad of England dismisses Peter Siddle of Australia during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(30 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Ryan Harris of Australia walks off after his dismissal during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(31 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Tim Bresnan of England celebrates taking the wicket of Chris Rogers of Australia during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(32 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Ian Bell of England takes a catch to dismiss Steven Smith of Australia during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(33 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Ian Bell of England celebrates with team-mate Jonny Bairstow of England after taking a catch to dismiss Steven Smith of Australia during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(34 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: England celebrate the DRS decision of lbw against George Bailey of Australia during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(35 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Stuart Broad of England bowls next to Ryan Harris of Australia during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(36 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Stuart Broad of England bowls during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(37 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Ian Bell of England celebrates with team-mate Jonny Bairstow of England after taking a catch to dismiss Steven Smith of Australia during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 2(38 of38)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: Ian Bell of England celebrates taking a catch to dismiss Steven Smith of Australia during day two of the Fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Anderson alluded to that frustration, and suggested he himself was possibly flattered by his figures of three for 50.
Even so, after Mitchell Johnson (five for 63) had yet again set an ominous tone with another rush of wickets on a cloudy morning, England bowled with great discipline to at last give themselves something to smile about.
Piers Morgan Faces Over From Brett Lee (VIDEO)
"Days like that have been few and far between on this trip," said Anderson. "(But) we're just really hungry to get something out of this tour, and we showed that today.
"Cooky set really good fields; we bowled to them, and it was a really complete performance."