A traditional saying... and there's much merit in it... but as Hughes argued today, on pitches like those in Sri Lanka, bowlers (of any description) are basically destined to flog themselves into the ground in hope rather than with any real expectation of creating chances.

Many "fans" witter on about bowlers taking the pitch out of the equasion... but the captains, coaches and commentators who actually play (or have played) at the highest level seem pretty much agreed that on pitches like those in Sri Lanka it's more a matter of maintaining discipline and waiting for - and being capable of taking - every chance presented by a mix of luck and tired batsmen.

Of course... great sides "create their own luck"... and mistakes tend to come from sides that maintain the most pressure.... but to my mind, England would be right in this match (and this series) if they'd simply been able to maintain a fielding-ring to the standard set by the Aussies (with Ponting, Clarke and Symonds at the fore, and reliable catchers like Hayden playing their part) and with a better gloveman.

To use another old saying... "catches win matches" (to which someone should append "especially on batsman-friendly wickets).