Draw one

Thoughts on the First Test

- Australia's bowling attack will only improve. Hilfenhaus is getting the ball to swing, and five wickets in only his fourth Test match is a good showing. Siddle is angry and fiery and used the ball well. Hauritz was a revelation. I don't think anyone expected him to bowl that well. And Johnson, well, he has to improve, as Australia needs him to be the strike bowler. We needed wickets yesterday, and he should have been the man to deliver them. I expect he will improve now that he's had a chance to bowl and the coaching staff will correct some things.

- The Aussie batsmen are in great form. Four centuries in one innings, and I'd expect Hughes to make one sooner rather than later.

- Paul Collingwood is a rare competitor. He has the mental strength required for Test cricket. What he doesn't have is the ability to consistently turn that strength into runs. He will probably make a few more backs-to-the-wall half centuries this series, but they won't be enough to get England out of trouble every time.

- The English attack seemed toothless. Harmison might come in - but they need 2005 Harmy, not 2006/07 Harmy. Who knows which one will arrive? Monty will not keep taking big wickets with bad balls.

- The time wasting at the end of Day 5 was yet another example of poor sportsmanship from England. They did it back in 2005 when they constantly asked for the umpire to call the day closed due to bad light. Australia cops a lot of flak for the way it plays its cricket, but England are worse. Australia is aggressive and upfront; England sly and underhand. Very disappointing.

- I do worry that Australia has missed a great chance to win a Test match, in a series where wins will be hard to come by. We have to be more ruthless with the ball and score faster with the bat.

- Seeing KP get out is great fun. Not only is he English, he's also South African. So it's almost like getting two wickets for the price of one.

- Interesting point about Damien Martyn made by Gerard Whately on The Outsiders on ABC. He said Marto was horribly critical of the media when he was a player, refused interviews, constantly sniped at journalists and was a general downright pain to try to get anything from. Now he's sitting in the studio commentating. Whately's view? Martyn is hypocritical for taking money for something he consistently poured scorn upon during his career.

- I want to see Hily swing the ball both way at Lords, bowl KP again and rip through some tail-enders!