Not got to see a lot of the action today, but it seems as though despite the three wicket burst this morning, the same old pattern is emerging. Australia find themselves at the end of the day 44 runs in front with five wickets remaining. The weather forecast tomorrow appears to be improving so that rain is not supposed to hit until half way through the day, and if Australia can hit their runs quickly, they’ll be in a position to give England a very uncomfortable final day.

Anderson showed that when conditions improve and the ball swings, and it is new, he is a handful. That is not much use on a flat deck when it is doing nothing, and where the likes of McGrath excelled, but when we get conditions that help, England can look good. Having got rid of Katich for a doughty Langer-esque 122, he removed the Incredible Shrinking Average very soon after as it dips below 55… Ponting got to 150 and chopped a very ordinary Panesar delivery onto his stumps. At lunch England harboured some hopes of keeping the Aussies around their first innings total.

Michael Clarke and Marcus North put together the sort of stand Australia ahve specialised in over the years, extinguishing hope and putting out England’s fire. Clarke is a different animal to the shot-a-ball tyro last time around and I’ve seen this sort of knock before. In Australia in 2006 he accumulated two centuries while I was there, and looked very assured in so doing. It appears he has done the same here. I’ve not seen North bat, so I’ll have to watch the highlights or some of his innings tomorrow. Regretfully I was at my cousin’s funeral this afternoon so the action obviously took second place.

The game now hinges on how much play takes place tomorrow. If we get anywhere near a full day and Australia can push on with Haddin, North and Johnson (and Hauritz) and get up to anywhere near 600, and we are in trouble – big trouble.