P-man

I'd say Watson is in perfect form. Makes 50 and then gets out. Sounds like the Watson I know.

I'd be going safety first for Perth. Unchanged lineup. As for England, I'd be giving serious consideration to Anderson's spot. When the conditions don't suit swing bowling he is rendered almost totally useless. I read somewhere that they can recall Onions if need be. Not sure if that's true, but his Durham side won the County Championship where he was the leading wicket taker. Pretty unlucky not to get called up when they are picking the likes of Tremlett and Finn.

Interesting points Bob. So you would select 4 quicks for Perth if in England's shoes?

Got no issue with Brayshaw. It's Slater that gives me the ultimate shits.

I agree Rhino, swapping Panesar for Swann would be an overreaction. The old "class is permanent" applies. Swann is potentially as damaging a player as they have. I wasn't all that impressed by Stokes, but Prior at 6 doesn't look great. It's fortunate for them that he has found a bit of confidence with the bat, finally. Maybe Bresnan and Bairstow for Stokes and Panesar. Admittedly pretty rough on Monty.

At least they look like they might bat the day out. This has been pathetic stuff from the poms thus far and it's unlikely to get any easier for them at the WACA. Mitch might kill one of them on that deck. His spell yesterday is some of the best fast bowling I've ever seen. A candidate for the best.

I would agree with this. It's one of the reasons I was surprised to see Jetta delisted, and not at all surprised he has been retained. The Swans style is frenetic, and Jetta is closer to that mould than the likes of Strauss and Blease.

Exactly right.

My thoughts exactly. Some are dismissive of "In Roos we trust", but it's not a bad default position to take. Even Nev's critics can't deny that he has a genuine crack, so I hope Roos can get him to his potential.

Anyone who has played cricket from club level upward knows that sledging is part of the game. It's very simple, going back to Nash's original point. Keep it on the field. Warner looked like a dill in that press conference.

Agreed. I notice today he admitted he went a bit too far in his remarks, and that was before Trott pulling out.

Trott pulls out due to "stress related illness" - http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-25/jonathan-trott-returns-home-from-ashes-series-due-to-stress/5115796?section=sport Big blow, out of form or not.

TD - that's why I said earlier that I wasn't amazed by this result. Even the poms would acknowledge in private that 3-0 really flattered them. The series was much closer than that, they just had every bit of luck go their way. Anyhow, it's a war, not a battle. Need to back it up in Adelaide. No mercy.

Smith could actually prove a very important figure at Adelaide, which still sounds strange to say out loud. I've been a critic of his in the past, and I think he has gotten a lot more leniency from his good mate in Clarke than others have been afforded. That said, his batting has improved enormously. On the Adelaide deck he will be able to put his improved technique to the test and won't be forced onto the back foot as much, which has often been his downfall when playing away from his body. He will be able to play his shots and could be pencilled in for a big innings. Throw in his leg breaks and he will be one to watch. The impressive showing of Lyon in this test also bodes well for Adelaide. Previously you would say England hold the advantage in the spin department, and still do, but the gap seems to have closed. Lyon is going from strength to strength. The poms will desperately want Trott to find some form. He's a class act, and they need him if they are going to bounce back from what was utter (delightful) humiliation at the Gabbatoir.

Your wish is their command, titan. Even some decent sized hail isn't going to prevent a win this time.

There was so much to like about Warner's innings. I'm not sure about the miracle transformation in his character, but there was a focus and maturity to that knock that was so refreshing. And after scoring 120 odd, he was as annoyed at getting out as if it had been 100 less than that. He was certainly talking up a big game before this series, but so far he is backing it up and then some. For whatever reason he seems to be in a good place, which will be vital of we are to win back the urn. I still think there are question marks over the batting lineup, especially with Watto looking so vulnerable, but will save those reservations for a gloomier day. Right now, life is good.

Anyone read the Daily Mail? On Day 1, their chief cricket writer Martin Samuel declared a "gulf" between the two sides with an English victory being a formality. Day 2, he berated Trott for gifting Johnson his wicket and, in his words, "giving a sucker a break". His take on Day 3 will be interesting to say the least.

I actually wasn't amazed to see it happen. A combination of Midgey finding form recently and the poms being unaccustomed to some proper chin music. The Lyon wickets were right out of the box though. Pity about the hat trick ball.

Last 6 wickets have gone for 9 runs. Haha..how sweet it is!!

It's no media beat up. He is not well liked. Partly because of the non-walk (for the record, I think when you've hit the cover off it and it's obvious to everyone except the one bloke who matters, you go), but also his general demeanour. He's the poster boy for this new breed of arrogant English cricketer. A horrible mutation. He laps up the celebrity side as best he can with his twitter antics etc. Let's be honest, it's fun to hate the opposition. Makes it a bit more interesting. I do respect his ability with the ball. Once he gets a roll on, he is very hard to defend against.

Wash your mouth out, RR. So many detestable characters in this English lineup, but he's the worst. Tremendous knock by Midge down the order, pretty much made a game of it once more. Hopefully he can back it up with the ball. Still have little confidence in this batting lineup as a whole. Sloggers do not a test team make. I wouldn't mind seeing Hughes recalled.

Oh dear.

On what basis can you say that? What's your reasoning? There is overwhelming evidence to suggest there are some things about Watts' game that won't change and will always prevent him from being a good, consistent footballer. I'm intrigued as to what Roos could get out of him but you're making it sound like it's a given he'll be transformed.

It's gettable, but the weaker tail we have in this lineup could end up being the difference between a win and a loss. I just hope Khawaja makes some runs in this innings.

Too early to call long-term value, but right now Wines is so far ahead it doesn't bare thinking. The kid is a star. I'd love to lure him home one day to play alongside his best mate in a partnership that could carry the midfield for 10 years, but fairy tales often don't happen the way you expect. At least PJ has identified player development as priority 1. Toump has some great attributes. He's a raw talent.