Yeah, there seems to be considerably less Aussie posting on the forums recently

I am always critical of the Eng team if deserved but I would have disagreed with TTF when he first posted that, although I would have agreed that Aus were the best team at the end of the one dayers.

Even though Aus beat Eng comfortably in the end of the first test, it was won by two bowlers, McGrath and Warne. McGrath bowled one of the greatest spells ever on a pitch that was totally perfect for him. In the 2nd innings Warne bowled well but then it was the first time that our batsmen had faced him this summer, for some it was the first time ever, and I think we just hadn't worked out how to play him. The fact that our bowlers had decimated their batters was unfortunately not picked up.

In the second test McGrath wasn't there which was great, but also by then our batters had had time to think about how to play Warne after facing him in the first test. With those two threats gone or reduced, we could now bat, and then this time our bowlers efforts came into play. We walloped Aus in that game and if it wasn't for some great flaying with the bat at the end we would have won easily.

Since then we have been outplaying Aus, partly in batting but mainly in the bowling dept. I've heard many Aussies going on about how their team are not in form but I really believe it's our bowling. Aus had 2 great wins in the last 2 one dayers, and TV commentators were talking about how their form was peaking in perfect time for the Ashes - so what happened then?! They have come up against a set of good English test-match bowlers who actually have plans against their batters and are carrying them out well, with swing bowling mainly causing the trouble. I do think that the Aussie's attacking style is helping us out but then if they want to play more defensively they'll have to stick with a lower run rate wont they?!

Having said all that, it doesn't mean that Aus wont win the last test, they've got a lot of fight in em...