P-man

Doolan definitely needs to hurry the fark up. This isn't tiddlywinks, there is a series win against the number one team on the line here. Either start hitting or get out trying.

It's clear it was a premeditated decision but I'll admit when I heard the news of Smith's retirement my first thought was, "another one bites the dust". It's strange because I always thought of Smith as a young man given he took on the captaincy so young. Was a truly great player in his day. Speaking of players we've forced into retirement, I see Swann is joining the commentary team over in the old dart. I think he has misjudged just how much the manner he bowed out of the game has affected his public standing. The fans are still not happy with him based on the comments I've seen. He didn't just disgrace himself, he disgraced English cricket. Good luck Swanny, I have a feeling you're going to need it.

A 38 ball duck. Impressive.

Dominant. It is looking like an Australian side of old where if one or two batsmen faulter, someone else will chip in with a big hundred, whilst the fielding is as good as it has ever been and is once again proving to be a critical difference. Hold your catches. Simple stuff. As much as I am loving the Mitch train steaming onward, I hope we get a contest in the second test. If we smash them again then the title of no.1 test side is ours by rights.

Kyrgios looks an absolute ripper at the ripe old age of 18. Star in the making.

Further to the above, I can appreciate this isn't a great Australian side like that of the dominant Waugh/Ponting era, but these players deserve recognition as announcing themselves on the biggest stage, and on paper or otherwise have shown that they are the better side out of these two.

Haha..have a listen to Boycott in that podcast. I like Geoffrey but it is staggering that when questioned about Australia's bowling performance he still downplayed the ability of the Australian players and attributed it to England playing poorly. Apparently Mitch is the only ace, and "they might have Clarke but we have Pietersen and Bell". What exactly is it going to take for him to accept that England are simply not as good as they thought, playing on soggy England wickets and arsing out wins, and the likes of Harris, Rogers, Haddin, Siddle and Smith are a lot better than they gave them credit for. For gods sake Geoffrey, if you still think England are the better side after THAT, I have no words.

And now it falls upon a Kiwi and a Zimbabwean to salvage some English pride.

Catching a bit of these other tests, I can't get past the "crowds". Test cricket might be faring okay here but it is very disconcerting having all these international fixtures being played in near empty stadiums. It's sad as much as it is worrying. I hope the Saffies show up in numbers. A bit of atmosphere would be nice.

On reflection that's a fair call on AB. But that's no disrespect to Hads, and I really don't think he's a long way behind at the moment. What he's shown in this series, and through his career, is that he can be relied upon in pressure situations. With his position in the lineup he is often called upon to drag the team out of the muck, and he very often succeeds. Stats alone don't tell you that side of the story.

I'd love to say the turn around is complete but I can't just yet. I still think there are question marks over the batting lineup which could be exposed, partly due to the high number of short form style batsmen we have. But more importantly, England have been that abysmal that we can't say with certainty that this Australian team is the genuine article. At times in this series they've barely been tested at all. How they fare in South Africa will answer some questions about the maturity of a lot of these players. There isn't too much I'd change about the bowling attack, it's just a shame about the age bracket. Fortunately we have some quality coming through, but none of them are at Rhino or Mitch's level yet. In saying all that, there is no doubt a corner has been turned and nothing should be taken away from the performance. With a rampant Mitch leading the attack and Pup in the form he's in, we have two players who are as damaging as any in world cricket, being ably supported with a stack of raw talent. We have every reason to be going to South Africa with confidence.

Very true, simplicity is often a best friend. The second, perhaps more genuine test for this lot comes in South Africa. Even with Kallis retiring, it will be the real mice and men exercise. If they find success there, I think we can call the turn around complete. Happy 2014 fellas.

Deeluded - I think you may well be right re Boof's influence over Pup and the team dynamic. Many fans celebrated his appointment for that very reason. Look at Watson and Clarke. Suddenly they seem to be getting along like a house on fire. Winning will only help strengthen those ties.

So to answer your question as to who has talked him down, the answer would be you. A "backstop"? What a completely daft insult. As Nash says, I can't think of another keeper I'd be swapping him with. He is a "backstop" in career best form, and he has saved our backside more than once to win back the urn. Your lack of respect for his performance is remarkable, but I'll grant you that opinions are like [censored]. Your last sentence makes no sense.

jazza, your lack of comprehension seems to extend to your own posts, which needless to say is concerning. Go back and read what you've said about Haddin in this thread. Hell, on this page alone. Your appraisal of Haddin is just flat out wrong, so clearly you're doing so to stick by your guns. Blind Freddy can see he's been one of the best performers, arguably only behind Johnson. I haven't asked for an apology, so again you're off the mark. There is a difference between apologising and merely acknowledging that perhaps you've been too harsh on someone. Failure to do so doesn't bother me one bit, because it doesn't surprise me. I'm merely stating something which is fact with regard to Haddin's performance.

Silence? I am referring to the series of posts between jazza and others discussing Haddin and Lyon. How does that constitute silence? Haddin has been excellent, he hasn't merely "broken even". He's let very little outside of the unreachable get past him, and he's supported Lyon and the rest of the bowling attack by holding onto the ones he should. Can not say the same of Prior or Bairstow, or indeed Wade. The difference with Hads behind the stumps is marked. Haddin has had his fair share of knockers on the journey, with many cryinh foul when he was recalled. Pup also has his fair share of detractors who seem more focused on his appearance than his ability. Both players have made those knockers look foolish. The bigger person would admit they were wrong about them. I won't hold my breath waiting for that to happen,

I can honestly only laugh at the talking down of Haddin and Gaz. You have to wonder what they would need to do in order to earn praise. Both have had an excellent series. Haddin in particular has been immense with bat and gloves. His role in the resurgence of the team can't be overstated. It is also very apparent that Clarke will NEVER win over some people who seem determined to forever park him in the "ordinary captain and he's a metrosexual nancy boy" pile. He has outdone Cook in every facet in this series and has led the team brilliantly. His being relieved of selection duties appears to have done the trick in removing any divide and he is now not only their captain but their equal. He deserves all the plaudits for what has been achieved here.

As strange as it may sound, I hold more hope for Agar as a batting all rounder. He certainly has age on his side to develop his batting. His poise and downright elegance at he crease was a joy to watch, and he would be a handy option with the ball. Titan is right though, he is no frontline spinner.

How's that egg tasting WYL?

The English team is like a trainwreck at the moment. It's one thing after another. Christmas really did come early this year.

I'm amazed that Crown denied them entry. They had just won the Ashes ffs, what's the world coming to? If I was running the door I wouldn't care if they were rolling in. Perhaps there's more to the story.

Never in doubt, titan Sweet, sweet victory. Now for that rubbish footy team of ours to turn thIngs around in similar fashion.

I would be a lot more nervous if they were only 3 down heading into today. Given Bell and KP pretty much threw their wickets away after getting themselves settled, that could've been a real possibility. We absolutely should get the job done now, especially with Broad on one foot, but you never know in this game. Prior is horribly out of form but is capable of making a big score. Good to see the poms finally showing a bit of fight, but it's come far too late me thinks.

What a morning. I'm still shaking my head in disbelief. 134 runs at 8 an over. The Watson dismissal is one of the most comical things I've seen on a cricket field. Junior cricket stuff. Very Watson-esque. 28 run over from Bailey. Equalling the record set by Lara. And then, after all that, Cook goes for a golden duck off a Rhino jaffa. Hard to top.

I agree it is being used better, particularly by Clarke. It was also noteworthy that it was Watson on the right side of the Root dismissal. He typically hasn't had the best relationship with DRS. Perhaps they have kissed and made up. I'm still open to a restriction on the number of times it can be used in an innings in order to meet the original intent, and please get rid of these stupid no ball reviews for every wicket. One of the great things about cricket, indeed sport in general, is its imperfections.