With Australia 312 for 5 at the end of day 3, this fascinating test match could conceivably go one of two ways. If Australia, in the form of Clarke, Gilchrist, Warne and Lee bat for another two sessions, the game will likely fizzle out into a draw on what is a very docile Adelaide pitch. If however, England can knock over the remaining 5 Aussie wickets and achieve a first innings lead of 150 or so, the opportunity for them to bat aggressively for another 50 or 60 overs and set the Australians a target around the 400 mark, will give them a chance of winning this match.
Yesterday belonged to three cricketers. For Australia, the brilliance of Ponting and Hussey, their two best batsman, and for England, the ever reliable Matthew Hoggard. As an England supporter sitting sideways on at the beautiful Adelaide ground, you could only applaud the totally assured batting style of Ricky Ponting allied to the crisp, decisive footwork of Michael Hussey. There are definite weaknesses in the Australian batting unit but these two players are not amongst them and England will have to prize both of them out during this series.
It could all have been so different if Ashley Giles had held a sweetly hit Ponting pull stroke at deep backward square off Matthew Hoggard, when the world's best player was on 35. Getting his feet into a bit of a tangle, Giles could only palm the ball sideways, much to the dismay of England fans around the ground. That catch would have seen Australia 78 for 4 and staring at a huge first innings deficit.
Hoggard, a loveable sheepdog of a fast bowler, was in the middle of a beautiful spell of new ball bowling, mixing outswingers with cutters and slower balls. His dismissal of Hayden was particularly pleasing, and he continues to cause the burly Australian left hander all manner of problems with his Terry Alderman - like fast medium seam. His figures of 27 overs, 4 for 76 (all of whom were top order Australian batsmen), are quite exceptional.
So another crucial morning session looms. Early wickets for England and it's game on - Freddie is an aggressive captain and if the situation requires it, I can see him changing the batting order, promoting himself and Pietersen in the hope of some quick runs. There may be a shot at redemption for Ashley Giles too. Ponting continues to play him with apparent ease but the tall left arm spinner did cause Hussey a few problems out of the rough, and he will enjoy the opportunity of bowling to the Australian left handers on a last day pitch.
Wello
