Hopeless

SECOND DAY

To lunch(226-2) Siddle, quiet since the first Test, bowls with purpose and aggression so that Cook is caught at first slip 18 short of a century that looked automatic and Strauss taken in the gully when a bouncer rises acutely. Trott begins the innings the selectors sent him to get in Oz, holding the side together even when Pietersen, Collingwood and Bell go for 24 runs.

To tea (304-5) Now is the period of mayhem. Ponting, understandly stressed, argues with Aleem Dar, as good an umpire as it is possible to be, and then Tony Hill, when a decision on Pietersen goes against Australia and Prior is recalled by Aleem Dar who checks a no-ball. Later Ponting is fined 40% of his match fee.

To close (444-5) Trott completes his century in just short of five hours and, I imagine, Geoff Miller and his pals decide it is right to treat themselves to another glass of celebration champagne. Prior rides his luck for two and a half hours to fifty, but once again he has shown that with his Bruce French improved wicket-keeping and his robust batting he is the ideal No.7. The lead is 346; for Australians to talk about making England bat again is proof that noxious weeds are still in abundent supply Down Under.

Those of you who have asked about the Lotto Five will be glad to know they say they are thriving. However Kate texts that "we can always get home even if the money runs out - I think we still all have our return tickets." I do hope so.