previously at the scg

Australia

Tried hard, bless 'em.

England

Were looking great, yet got a bit dead rubbered at stages.  Lost the plot to Australia's tail and losing key wickets.  Sending out a nightwatchman for Collingwood was just odd, unless Anderson had just been promoted ahead of him on form.

Who's in front

No one has grabbed this game, England still in slight control.  They'd be already in front if they'd been a touch smarter to the tail.

Play of the day

In modern cricket you get a pat on the back for average fielding, you get two pats on the back for decent fielding, three for excellent fielding, and 4 or more for Natalie Portman fielding.  Phil Hughes copped a full blooded clip off the pads at short leg, looked like he might have lost a nut, saved four, and got one pat on his back.

Testicular moment of the day

Andrew Strauss is not known as captain thunderpants when he bats.  He's often not as dour as people say.  Today he was positive and ruthlessly efficient.  Like a guy trying to pick up at a wedding in a country town.

Working class moment of the day

Michael Beer now knows what it is like to take a test wicket.  This would be ok if he had a test wicket.  Instead one of two things happen, he finally takes one, and it doesn't feel as good as the first, or he never does and Billy Bowden one day gets hit in a hit and run.

Weird factoid of the day

Mitchell Johnson doesn't always get wickets after he has made runs, but that's because sometimes he forgets he makes runs.

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