Day Two - just like old times

Another great day of test cricket, but one that very much belonged to the Aussies, which after the start they made with the ball was quite a turnaround.

The England tail wagged superbly to add another valuable hundred runs (and thank god they did), with Swanny particularly impressive - his batting could be a bit of a thorn in the Aussie side the whole series actually - he has a highest first class score of 185 and a very good eye (Warne esq - but only with the bat unfortunately).

There was little else to shout about for England, other than Flintoff's first spell. Aggression, pace, bounce, chat - it had it all and showed the very passive and wayward Broad and Anderson how to bowl. The Hughes battle will be intriguing as he doesn't look like someone willing to defend which against class bowling is going to be an issue over time. 

He's the least of England's concerns however, with Katich and Ponting imperious throughout the day. They barely gave England a chance, and Katich looks like he could bat all week out there - he is a major, major threat in this series as my fellow Sydneysiders will know from watching him in the last 18 months.

Englad actually bowled better in the second 2 sessions but the ball did nothing, there was none of the swing we saw from Hilfenhaus all day Wednesday, we didn't even see the bounce that Hauritz got (worryingly) from either spinner. 

The good stuff?

Fred thundering in - the concern is he'll get over-worked as England search for a breakthrough

Swann, Broad and Anderson with the bat - could be very useful as the series develops

Near flawless batting from Punter and Katich

The less good.

Monty was disappointing -  he looks woefully out of form. I see that he's only taken 9 wickets in 8 games this season.

Anderson never got going, he wasted the swinging ball and when it doesn't swing we know he can look ordinary

Broad's injury which will put further strain on Fred

The lack of threat from the spinners - we desperately need the pitch to start to crack so we can make some inroads on day three

Australia are in the box seat but England are still in the game. The new ball is due reasonably soon and if they make the most of that we could roll them for mid 400's or less - which makes the draw a major possibility (especially with talk of rain?). 

State of the game aside, cannot wait for day three - only 7 hours away...

The sign of things to come?

It was ding dong wasn't it? And I get the feeling that the whole series could be just like that - mirroring the wonders of 2005. Let's hope so.

The Aussies started badly, but recovered through some good bowling from an underperforming Johnson, then we got ourselves back in the game through KP and Colly, they then snared a couple of cheap wickets and were on top, then Prior and a rejuvenated Freddie (wasn't it great to see him playing like that?) put England back on top, before the packhorse Siddle nipped in with a couple of late wickets to even it all up. Magnificent, pulsating and tiring stuff. Just cannot wait until day two.

On reflection of the day, although it seems even I'd say England will be marginally the happier - partly because they won the toss and are bowling last on a wicket that will crumble horribly. If Broad, Swann and tail can hang around for an hour or so they'll get 50 runs and 390 will be an imposing score. Saying that, australia will feel well in the game, and when they do bat they'll be pleased that 5 Englishmen made starts but didn't go on, so you can bat well if you apply yourself.

Match higlights?

Seeing Freddie back in good spirits - he hit a couple of fabulous shots, promising signs for him with the ball.

Prior's knock - for me that was knock of the day, he didn't put a foot wrong until the wicket which was a fine piece of bowling from Siddle

Hilfenhaus' performance - the pick of the bowlers for me, and many will know I'm an admirer. He could now play the whole series as he can swing the ball at pace, which is all you need in England (and Wales).

The Ashes party at the Vogel's - stunning toad in the hole and crumble.

Things we'd rather not mention:

KP - looks injured, and a typically him dismissal

Johnson's bowling - looks to be struggling with the Duke ball

Colly's shot after looking so good.

Onward to another tight one on day two. Enjoy.

Nic

incredible excitement

Well, we are under 28 hours away now. Fucking exciting.

So Brett Lee is out... seems the UK press see that as a good thing, but I'm not so sure. Yes he can reverse it, but he's not been much of a bowler for 2 years now and the average Aussie on the straight won't be disappointed he misses out. not sure what it means for their line up now as it extends some of the question marks for their selection:

Do they play 4 quicks and use North/Clarke/Katich as the spinner so hauritz misses out.

That'd mean Siddle, Johnson, Hilf and Clark. One of Siddle, Clark or Hilf would therefore need to bat at 9, which is high.

Will they spring a surprise and pick Ronald Macdonald? Quite possibly. He's the man no-one has been talking about but he is the man in possession and without the Lee batting he comes back in to consideration at 8.

What price Shane Watson? A long shot I know but he can do a job as the 4th seamer and bat anywhere in the top 6. Unlikely, but he is one of Australia's favourite men.

England's selection really rides on the wicket, do we play 2 spinners or not? I doubt we will but the UK gang might have a view on this? if we play Fred in a 3 man pace attack that is quite a bit of work for him and I'm not sure we want to risk that this early in the series? if he breaks down, that'd be awful news.

I'll leave you with a video, to get the fires burning.