[Mav]

Nothing much has changed since before play yesterday.....Australia still with their backs to the wall.

I thought Ponting's actions were out of order.....England have been using the 12th man policy for years and years, and Australia never had an issue when they were thumping England. Poor form from Australia's Skipper, no doubt feeling the pinch.

Just as l was about to post how well Jones batted.......he misses a stumping late yesterday....yet another chance he has duffed....he basically cannot keep.

Some Interesting Stats:

Ponting & Haydens combined first innings stats: 8 Outs / 121 runs @ 15.12

Kasprowicz & Gillespie's combined bowling figures: 7 wickets / 531 runs @ 75.85

First wicket partnerships above 50: England 4.....Aust 2

Jones leading Gilchrist in batting average (who would have predicted this):

Jones.....33.33
Gilchrist....24.50


Australia's legends Warne & McGrath have taken 38 English wickets @21.13....that is 57.57% of all English wickets to fall......and McGrath has missed two tests. Where is Australia's bowling going to be when they both retire ?

Freddie Flintoff:

Interesting to compare Ian Botham's figures in the 1981 dubbed "Bothams Ashes"

In 6 Tests Botham made 399 runs and took 34 wickets

Flintoff so far has made 296 runs and taken 19 wickets