A great farewell

THIRD DAY

Sorry Ricky but it it time to step down.

To lunch (at England all out score of 513) Trott continues, relentless, chanceless, without fault, to 168 off 345 balls but the rest provide only token aid, including Prior, now an immaculate wicket-keeper but a frail batsman for all his 82.

To tea (95-1) Only the run-out of Hughes, tomorrow's man maybe but certaihly not today's, spoils Australia's second innings march to safety, less than half way through the match. The veteran texts: "He's forgotten he has moveable feet."

To close (169-6 ) Why can no commentator see the merit of Bresnan? Even Chappelli says he cannot remember a bad ball as he whips out Watson, Ponting and Hussey, three stars; well, apart from Ponting that is. Bresnan is quicker sharper than he looks, keeps an immaculate length and line and, without fuss or bother, appears to know where to bowl. Only the similar, bustling Siddle with 6-75 and two catches has a bigger effect on the match. As for the commentators! Talk about Bresnan and they must mention Anderson or Swann or Tremlett. Ponting struggles for 100 minutes and 73 balls for 20 looking as if he faces the rack if he fails; and inevitably falls, bowled by a Bresnan creeper. Instead he faces the captain's farewell, a final media gathering to shed a few tears a la Vaughan, and a rich man's retirement to the TV gantry. Sad because he was a truly great batsman and we saw glimpses of that today.