
Yesterday was just frustrating not least because the day's play ended in bright sunshine owing to a peculiarly asinine ICC regulation.
Today, despite a dodgy start and an unthrilling end belonged to England but I reckon the odds on a draw must have shortened considerably. The Wheeliebin failed to add to his overnight tally and the flying pigs have been stood down indefinitely, notwithstanding the enthusiasm of the female half of the population of the West Midlands. The fact that Warne was a great deal more successful with bat than ball does not bode well for Giles (or England) tomorrow. Jones (SP) once again impressed and Hoggard was, again, noticeably absent.
An excellent knock by Strauss well supported by Trescothick and Bell and a late flurry by Jones (G) should make defeat for England all but impossible but can they bowl Australia out on what looks to be a rather benign track?
The timewasting by the convicts, both in the field and when batting, was absolutely shameful. If the match referee doesn't clobber both Ponting and Warne, one has to ask what on earth he is there for. That said, I don't expect any action. The ICC only goes after money making crowd pullers in the most extreme circumstances. The Speed-Mani doctrine is, and always has been, money above all.