first test, day three

McGrath won a fortunate lbw decision.

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0800: There are several messages arriving in our Mailbox offering possible reasons for Ponting's baffling decision not to enforce the follow-on.

From Ponting wanting the cracks to widen to McGrath wanting a rest, no cricketing explanation quite sits right for me.

The cracks were already plenty wide enough for Clark and McGrath, and if the Aussie bowlers really do need a day's rest after just 60 overs bowling, then England's Ashes chances have just improved dramatically.

I'm slightly surprised no-one is suggesting what seems an obvious conspiracy theory.

This series has seen unprecedented public interest in Australia, with every ground selling out in hours.

But I'm sure no-one from Cricket Australia would dream to point out to their captain what a tragedy it would be to have to hand out hundreds of thousands of dollars in refunds if the match finished inside three days - a genuine possibility if England had been put back in.

But now, there's the possibility of an even bigger story developing. Forgive me getting ahead of myself, but if Australia were to bat on for another hour, they would lead by about 700.

Obviously England couldn't win from there, but teams have batted out five sessions to secure a draw.

Imagine the pressure that would suddenly descend on Ponting if England staged a great escape here after he opted for some more batting practice with a first-innings lead of 445... DT

0612: Thanks a bunch, Ricky. My punt at 10/3 on Ponting scoring his 9,000th Test run at Adelaide was looking pretty good when he fell 12 runs short of the milestone in the first innings at Brisbane.

But just because lazy old Glenn McGrath needed a bloody rest, Australia didn't enforce the follow-on allowing Punter to reach the milestone a game early.

Honestly, nothing's gone right in this Test. DT

0502: Ponting's a clever cookie, reckons philporter, after seeing through the English plot to follow on and get the Aussies to bat last on a crumbling pitch.
Yes, Ponting may look like George W Bush, but he's too clever for Freddie Flintoff's tricks. DT

0449: Well, you've got your theories about the follow-on. To rub England's noses in it and give McGrath a rest. bazzcfc reckons Australia "couldn't be bothered to stand fielding for the rest of the day" which seems understandable; it is pretty warm out there.
AJSANDERS fears the Aussies are dead set on "humiliating" England. They're doing it pretty well so far.
Any other ideas? Get to the Mailbox. DT

0415: Baffling. I know there are back-to-back Tests to consider, but if anyone can offer me a convincing explanation for Ricky Ponting;s decision not to enforce the follow-on with the small matter of 445 runs to play with I'm all ears. Get your theories into the Mailbox. DT

0215: A centimetre is a very long way in international cricket.

Kevin Pietersen was given out lbw to a ball that was missing off stump by a fraction, while Andrew Flintoff was caught behind from a Brett Lee no-ball.

As if to confirm the suspicion things aren't going England's way, Billy Bowden than made a cracking stop at square-leg to deny Geraint Jones three runs.

But a centimetre is also about the size of the square Glenn McGrath and Stuart Clark are pitching all their deliveries on, and the fact is if you keep the pressure on things will happen. Australia have earned their good luck with some excellent bowling and frankly, with the honourable exception of Ian Bell, the England batsmen simply haven't been good enough to repel the Aussie bowlers. Dave Tickner