Centurion Jonathan Trott continued England's domination of Australia in the fourth Ashes Test - much to the frustration of Ricky Ponting on a bad-tempered second day at the MCG.

Having watched the hosts capitulate for 98 on day one, Trott ploughed on to an unbeaten 141, while wicketkeeper Matt Prior added a breezy 75 not out in a stand worth 158 by stumps.

That meant England closed on 444 for five, a position which leaves them overwhelming favourites to retain the urn by taking a 2-1 series lead with one match to play.

Ponting's anger boiled over in an ugly confrontation with both umpires, after DRS procedure ruled in Kevin Pietersen's favour over a failed caught-behind appeal.

No simulated evidence emerged to support Australia's review, and the initial verdict was duly confirmed. But that did not stop Ponting, and Peter Siddle, berating Aleem Dar - and then his colleague Tony Hill - in an unseemly incident which halted play for minutes rather than seconds.

Despite Australia's early efforts with the ball, Trott's performance consolidated England's advantage. His 211-ball century took his tally of calendar Test runs to 1,257.