One All - Just!

And so ends the second test, England by 2 runs. Remaining true to the theme of this entire tour, ebs and flows, ups and downs, agression, nerves, talent and great entertainment. A fitting result I must concede. The side that clearly had the upper hand for most of the match, takes the points. It couldn't have been any other way when you think about it. A tied one day final, a fairly inconclusive little three match one day series, and two tests, between the best two cricketing nations in the world, how could we expect anything other than 1 - 1 after two tests?

Well played England. Well stuck at Australia. Getting as close as that, could be important, mentally, later in this tour. However, having a close win could also be great for the English team, who until now, haven't quite seemed to know how to win.

This side is upholding a fine tradtion of English cricket - they have done their home work and really come up with some good plans. This has always been a trait of English cricket, maybe not recently when they haven't had the firepower to carry it out. Australia were saved by Glenn McGrath in the first test. England, you could say were saved by Freddie Flintoff in this one. That's why champions are champions I guess.

So what does all this mean for the remaining tests - what a rediculous question. I don't think anything that happens, seems to matter beyond that moment anymore. What happens next will be unpredictable, so I guess I can't predict it, except this, it won't be three tame draws.

I also think Australia have more work to do than England. England are playing better at the moment, the calibre of the likes of McGrath, Warne and Clarke have seen them dodge the bullets. This will be the kick in the backside they need.

Some positives for England:

• The form of their bowlers marches on.
• Giles improved big time
• Their plans are working, they have Gilchrist sorted out, and Hayden in all sorts of trouble. That's points at either end of the batting line up. No-one else has dominated.
• A close win will bring the belief they need. Winning is a habit.
• An awesome recovery from the disappointment of Lords.
  
  The real negative is simple the brittle batting.
  

Some positives for Australia:

• They seem to have the English top order sorted.
• Warne is in a good a form as ever
• But the negatives:
• McGrath will still be out

But the negatives:

• Bowling depth is a real worry now. MacGill should probably play in the third test
• The batsmen haven't really clicked, together yet. There is no comfort at all there.

The winning side will be the one that gets the batting sorted out. There have been too many easy wickets. 40 wickets in about 7 days cricket.

Bowling seems to be the strength, Australia with a couple of heros, England with solid talent and depth, both helped by the opposition batting. If neither side does get the batting sorted, I think England could pull this off because I really think their bowling is better over all. (Two mega-stars for Australia, but 4 solid dependable bowlers any of which can really hurt you at any time and capable support from Giles.

Having said that I think Australia is probably more likely than England to get that batting sorted, because there have been more guys sharing the load, Langer, Martyn, Clarke, Ponting and Katich have all tasted runs, just not together yet. The English failures have been a little more consistent.

What on Earth can happen next?

Update: Freddie the mouse, still at large. I think I heard him behind the bar tonight. Better keep his mits of the bourbon or the ante will be upped.