Wello's Ashes Blog

An intriguing days cricket at the SCG has left Australia still 104 runs behind England's first innings of 291 with 6 wickets in hand. Resuming at 234 for 4, England lost Paul Collingwood quickly to the probing seam of Glenn McGrath, leaving the job of getting England up to a competitive total on the broad shoulders of Andrew Flintoff.

Despite falling 11 runs short of a deserved century, Flintoff at last showed the kind of batting form he demonstrated in 2005 when he single-handedly galvanised the England team to a sensational series win over the all-powerful Australians. Sadly, and not unexpectedly, his was a lone battle and the remaining tail end batsmen folded meekly, although Steve Harmison did his best to try and accompany his best mate Freddie. It's hard to escape the thought that all of England's batsmen from Flintoff down are batting one place too high in the order for their talent and style of play, and this has helped the Australians all series since they know that even if England secure a decent platform for themselves, it only takes a couple of wickets and the whole innings will collapse in a heap.

What was refreshing was England's bowling, which was disciplined and penetrative. James Anderson bowled his best spell of the series and Steve Harmison was a real handful, dismissing Michael Clarke caught behind with a quick, bouncing delivery as he looked to cut. Anderson was also on target with his throwing and his excellent fielding ran out Ricky Ponting as the Aussie captain tried to run a cheeky single to mid-on.

Michael Hussey and Andrew Symonds saw Australia trhough to the close in a fascinating evening session cut short by more Sydney rain. Both players had an excellent tussle with Monty Panesar's slow left arm and with Sumonds opting for the positive approach whilst Hussey plays the anchor role, tomorrow promises to be another absorbing days cricket.

Wello