Another batting unit failure.  It has happened too regularly this series and we've been lucky that the Aussies were been below par for much of the first two matches.

This is what happens when too many of the top 7 are either out of form or still trying to establish their places.   If the whole series plays out like this you wouldn't want to be the selectors working out who to pick for the winter.  Lots of question marks and rather too few answers on offer, IMO.

If the Aussies had still been as good as they were in virtually every Ashes series up to and including 2006/07 (bar 2005 of course), there's no doubt in my mind that England would have been made to pay for the mistakes their batsmen have made at different times. The Aussie sides of the 90's and early 2000's used to punish England big time whenever they made mistakes, whereas because this current Aussie side is not as good as back then, England have been rather more fortunate than they probably would have been otherwise.

The Aussie side of 2005 would be thrashing this England side in this form.

Thinking back, the writing has been on the wall for a while.

Since we became No.1 following the 4-0 series win over India, we have struggled in the UAE v Pakistan, lost to South Africa last summer, and almost got beat by New Zealand down there in the winter. The series in India last winter seems to have been an oasis in a sea of poor-ish form. Our batsmen seem to be stuck in a rut.. They were getting out playing loose shots earlier in the series, then yesterday they just went onto their shells.

The problem is, what have we got to replace them?

Onto today. If the Aussies bat and we bowl as at OT, we are facing a large 1st innings deficit.

Today will be a big test for Broad and Bresnan in particular, they need to come to the party. And also of Cook's captaincy, which I think has been rather stodgy and conservative thus far, and tends to just let things drift at times, compared with Clarke who is always trying something to stop our batsmen settling.

Maybe 238 isn't so bad after all?

Aussies 12-2 ......

DRS but it's the umpires who aren't up to the task IMO. Perhaps the ICC needs to cough up and increase the size of the umpiring panel and try to increase the standard. Personally I'd axe show ponies like Bowden (he's the next one down from the 'elite' panel) who give the impression they are the centre of the game rather than the cricket.

Perhaps the ICC should just put in place flow-chart procedures for video review umpires to follow, so they don't get all maverick with their decisions.

As TMS Live Text points out, who can say whether Broad was appealing for LBW or caught behind? He doesn't have to specify. It's only the on-field umpire who gave out caught behind, but surely DRS should check for any possible way to be out?

An absolute farce

This. Plus the players should be familiar with it too.

The umpires got it right on this occasion. He was given out caught. He didnt hit it. Rightly overturned.

They checked for the LBW just to make sure, but no umpire would (should?) be giving that LB. it's just nicked the pad and gone through to Prior. That's why Hawkeye was indicating "umpire's call". Therefore "not out" LBW.

As the umpire was not giving it out LBW, that desision stays on the field.

I don't understand why there is such a fuss about it, other than people not understanding the logic.

Good start for England, but already signs that Aus are coming to terms with the conditions with runs coming easily at the moment, especially (as expected) off Bresnan.

Edited cos just as I hit "post", Clarke gets himself out!

Now i've seen the full explanation, I can understand it. But, coming off the back of so many odd review decisions by the umpires, you just assume this is another arse-up

Excellent work sir - your 'mockers' play worked beautifully  

Broad on a roll

A very brief one. Australia still look favourites to overhaul England's pitiful 1st innings total.

Why do you think I never talk us up??  

Don't forget the expression "Never judge a total until both sides have batted"

With a brittle line-up 238 isn't necessarily a poor total.   Aussies 4 down now.

Yeah, really brittle. 148-4 puts them favourite for a lead.

Anderson showing again why he's far from being the best bowler of the moment, never mind of his generation.

And Swann seems to have caught the same loss of form. Looking about as threatening as Nathan Lyon does against any opposition against this shite England team.