second test, day four

0948: All the talk at the moment seems to be about England being on top in this Test, but with my wild Ashes mood swings at the moment, I'm inclined to be more pessimistic.

The super smart money of course is on the draw - and has been since the end of day one - but I reckon if there is to be a winner in this match it will be Australia.

Despite his little hissy fit and telling Teacher Bucknor on Collingwood for being a bit mean and his lamentable first innings showing, Warne was getting a good amount of rip in the last few overs - a worrying sight for any England fan.

Coupled with surprise of the series Stuart Clark causing more problems outside off, the idea of Australia skittling England tomorrow morning is not completely out of the question.

So going on the doomy assumption that England are all out by mid way through the afternoon session, this will leave the hosts an eminently gettable 200-odd from 40/50 overs.

Of course I should cheer up given the brilliant performances of Collingwood, Pietersen and Hoggard, but at the heart of any true England cricket fan lies a deeply ingrained pessimism. Nick Miller

0516: What a terrible session, and the blame lies with the England players and a pitch that has all-but ensured the game would end in a draw. The one England player to be excused blame is Hoggard - to get a five-fer on that pitch is a wonderful effort for any bowler, given that only 13 have fallen in almost four days.
Australia are the only side who can get a significant lead here, and as such look like the only side who can possibly win it, and if England bat as timidly as they've bowled today they could yet get a nasty shock.
Clarke has batted beautifully for Australia, playing a more disciplined innings than I've seen from him in the past.
Like Stuart Clark and Paul Collingwood he started this series outside the first-choice XI, but has been one of the key men for his side. DT

0250: Fascinating first session, with a welcome return to form from Adam Gilchrist.
But the real fun started after Gilchrist was out, and Kevin Pietersen started bowling to Shane Warne. The spoilsports at Sky may have denied us the pleasure of the stump microphone, but it was pretty clear that all the bonhonie and camaraderie from last summer has completely dissipated.
Steve Bucknor seemed to do a good job of keeping thing just about civil, but the highlight must be Warne telling Paul Collingwood he "isn't that good". Don't know about you, but I don't think I'd be saying that to a player who'd just made 206.

One player he could have said it to is Ashley Giles. The massive celebrations at having Gilchrist caught on the fence trying to slog out of the ground indicated a bowler who knew it could well be his last Test wicket.
He has again posed no threat, and it was noticeable that the shackles seemed to come off at the moment he came into the attack.
It's terrifying to think how bad Monty Panesar must be bowling in the nets for Giles to stay in the team. His sole contribution to this match has been to drop the world's best batsman.
But hey, he did get a useful 20-odd to rescue England from the peril of 500 for six. Thanks for that. Dave Tickner