Greg manages a draw

Edgbaston. Third Ashes Test - day five

Preview

Andrew Flintoff, who has already proved himself to be the man of the series twice over, says England can win and, as I have often thought before, Freddie is far to big to argue against.

The tide has flowed their way - while attempting to drown Australia with injuries to Brett Lee and Brad Haddin, bad umpiring decisions, bad luck with the toss, two Tests when they must have thought Mitchell Johnson had a serious personal problem, the sending home of Andrew Symonds and all those retirements.

For all that there is a way for Australia to win. If they can set England a small total we may see the 1981 Tests at Headingley and Edgbaston and several at the Oval in recent years, in reverse. But if Freddie gets going England will lead the series 2-0 with two to play early this afternoon.

To lunch

No false heroics about this session; instead proper tense, edgy. ornery cricket for 29 overs. Australia scored 84 runs, finished on 172-4 - that is a lead of 59 adn the prospect of dramatic batting and bowling in the final couple of hours.

England needed 67 minutes to get the first wicket, Shane Watson caught behind off James Anderson. Twenty minutes before lunch Stuart Broad forced Michael Hussey to give Matt Prior another catch. Who would have that the word "competent" would apply to Prior or that we would be able to praise the selectors for their patience with this increasingly needed all-round wicket-keeper and batsman.

Not a lot of spin nor swing and dogged batting from Australia who must still wonder if they can snatch victory. Wickets have to be earned; what a beautiful cricket Test.

To tea

By the time Michael Clarke and Marcus North had batted all the way through the final session it was clear this match was a draw; the second in favour of Australia even though England lead 1-0. It will be called off by agreement somewhere around five o'clock which is a shame for the spectators who got on line last night and in line this morning to buy the remaining tickets.

The major question arising from this match is how ICC will treat umpire Rudi Koertzen. He makes too many mistakes. Sometimes he appears to get the right decision by accident. I am beginning to think the unthinkable - that if, for instance, Simon Taufel is the best umpire isn't it better to have him rather than a neutral.

No question about Aleem Dar though. He is a calm figure of commonsense; may his stature increase.

To close

North gets out just short of his hundred, Clarke goes on to win the man of the match award, Strauss says hardly a ball swung, Ponting cannot tell us about the Brett Lee return.

Presumably, for reasons of togetherness, team loyalty and a desire not to write out the team sheet again Steve Harmison will only play if Flintoff is unfit or it is decided to hang on to Freddie for the final match at the Oval.

On the whole justice has been done. You cannot take two days out of a Test and expect a result but the sight of Australian batsmen defending for the whole of the last day must mean that England have the initiative and that there would be no justice if England lost the series.

My forecast of 3-1 to England is now impossible; I admit to a fundamental error. I believed the weathermen who said "barbeque summer." OK, it is a serious mistake but I have learnt my lesson and next time around I will be a mermaid, a mahout or a Martian. It might be easier.

Greg here:

As you know I have been on the run - well, I'm an Aussie. Saw bits on TV. Not impressed. I thought Andrew Strauss should be M-o-M for his sportsmanship over Brad Haddin. As for the rest, very lukewarm.

If anyone sees a tough lady with an apron and an oversized pitchfork held aloft, I'd appreciate a call. She is threatening me with a HOE - Hell On Earth. I might just turn up at the Oval but don't tell the L-o-M. If she can almost arrest me in Wagga Wagga she can sure as hell find me in south London.