Amazing the difference a day makes

I must confess to writing the Aussies off before yesterday’s successful defence of the 3rd Test. Just 24 hours earlier the ball was swinging, Graeme Swann bowled Ricky Ponting out in way that would have Warnie proud and there wasn’t too much to suggest that Australia’s batsmen could improve on their miserable first-inning effort.

But then everything finally clicked for the Aussies. Shane Watson and Mike Hussey looked threatening and got the fightback off to a good start and Michael Clarke and Marcus North were solid as a rock, breaking the fifth-wicket partnership record for Australia at Edgbaston. The weather conditions put an end to the incredible swing bowling making, Onions and Anderson far less effective, Flintoff was obviously nursing a knee injury, the umpiring was good and Michael Clarke has some luck courtesy of a dropped catch (and a stubborn bail and catch off a no-ball, but these were well after the draw was a certainty).

Australia endured in a similar way as England did in Cardiff, though in the end the final overs were not a desperate struggle to survive. In fact had there been another day’s play, to replace the almost two days lost by rain, Australia could well have turned pending defeat into an unlikely win.

Interestingly after having the upper-hand in the First Test in Cardiff, Australia failed miserably at Lords after the three-day turnaround. This will be in the minds of both captains who will be desperately wanting to win the toss as a lot hinges on weather or not England’s will be required to straight after the short rest.

That said England doesn’t have too many worries apart from Flintoff’s fitness. Stuart Broad was seen as the weak link but he bowled well yesterday and continued to improve and his abilities with the bat helped put England in a winning position.

For Australia the dilemma is deciding on the bowling attack. My guess is Peter Siddle will make way for Stuart Clark.

Whatever happens it just shows that it’s always too early to make grand predictions about a Test series and this one promises to go to the wire.