Australia vs England - First Test - Day 2 & 3

Well who saw that coming? After England were all out for 260 on Day 1, they promised to keep scrapping and at 5 for 160, it looked like they were right - game on!

As has so often happened Australia were rescued by a record partnership late in the innings. How good have wicket keeper batsmen been for Australia in the last 20 or so years? Wow! Australia lost their 5th wicket, in their 53rd over with the score at 143, 54 runs and 13 overs sooner than England had lost their 5th wicket. So England had well and truly "scrapped" their way back into this match. But what ensured beyond that 5th wicket, in both cases was as contrasting as it was dramatic.

On day 1, England lost their 5th wicket with the score at 197 on the 3rd ball of the 63rd over.Of course, the following two balls thrust Peter Siddle into the history books on his 28th birthday as England's 6th and 7th wickets fell and after a Test Hat-trick, England had buckled to be 7 for 197, still in the 63rd over.

By comparison, on day 2, when Australia lost their 5th wicket, as mentioned with the score on 143, Brad Haddin strolled to the crease. It would be 93 overs and more than a full day later before England would find another break through.

So at the end of Day 3, Australia now dominate and England look broken. They must be worried about how ineffectual their bowling has looked against what has proven to be a fairly ordinary Australian batting line up in recent times.

Australia "should" win this match from here, but let us (Aussies) just be a little careful. Cast your minds back to Cardiff 18 or so months back - didn't Haddin make 160 odd their too, didn't we lead by about 1000 runs back then and didn't England hang on for a draw, only to go and dominate the Lord's test just as comprehensively as Australia had the first?

So beware - Australia must wrap this up while they're on top, of history could still repeat itself. England are down, but you still get the feeling they are not yet out!