Sides have scored 500 in the first innings and still lost the Test match. But in England’s situation they are best off just setting a goal of winning the next session.

Day two-slight hangover after staying at the local until the final session yesterday-must try that light beer that no one seems to drink here or another long day at the office in the morning.

Harmison and Anderson bowled a pile of dingo droppings yesterday-be hard to back that up with a similar performance today. Lets see what happens this morning but credit where credits due and Ponting was fantastic and the pitch is a belter. Freddie was not too shabby either-and that must be encouraging. Realistically the Aussies will have racked up 550 plus by tea tonight leaving Warne to do the damage for 3 days. The Pom batsmen have to play shots or it’ll be all over very quickly.

Anyone know why ABC aren’t broadcasting on SW? Heartily endorse all previous comments about Lawry- I turn the sound off and put some music on when he’s in the box. Oh for TMS……………you lucky lucky bastards!

England will certainly regroup - of course. The writing off of England in various areas of the press is way premature, but another shocking day here, and some of that talk may slowly become reality. They need three wickets in the first session, and they need to bowl Australia out - don’t allow a declaration.

That’s for their own good - personally, I’m hoping for double tons from Ponting and Hussey - then a declaration and two wickets to McGrath before tea

Wahey - Hussey gone!

Ken - check out yesterdays live comments

An improvement in the bowling - Flintoff has been incredible in his spell, getting bounce, hitting the cracks, making his off cutters bite, and bowling with good pace.

A direct contrast to Harmison.

Flintoff is incredible! It’s a pity for England he doesn’t have any mates out there.

The Aussie press/commentators talking up Giles - I think they want him in the side in Adelaide

I’m not too worried yet, Scott, merely standing in the doorway of anxiety. I take some comfort in the fact that Syd Gregory scored 201 and Aus still lost the match - according to the great cricinfo!

Whatever, am just cracking open a Chardonnay - cheers to you all.

aaahhhh!!! God bless Hoggy, get’s Ponting LBW. Yaaaa!

Bugger, now Gilchrist is in.

Reach for another Chardonnay …

Gilchrist has 18 months to figure out how to face around the wicket, fix the problems in his technique that was exploited by English seamers..and fails second ball.

Disaster here in the Cook Islands-the sky link failed and the bar emptied and worst of all-we missed the wickets.

Now to find an internet commentary………

So does Australia declare now (at tea) with Clarke gone? They may as well, I guess. Or keep going and give Flintoff some more work to do on the old ankle.
How good is Ponting? I think I detected a trace of steely resolve in that innings somewhere….

So, England are batting at last, and have had a decent first couple of overs. Can we be on top for this session at least?

oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear.

2 out for England already… and McGrath gets both of them.

Now he’ll never bloody shut up.

Come on England, get a grip. Another 100 please before the next wicket falls. Well, I can always dream……….

O-ah, Glenn McGrath, O-ah Glenn McGrath!

Another one bites the dust…

Let’s just see if Warney gets a go beforew stumps. That will be interesting, what with the turn Pietersen was getting yesterday.

Bill Lawry 0n Channel 9/Sky “Everyone In Australia loves Shane Warne”-How ’bout the ex-missus? What an idiot.

All I want for Xmas is a 4 day test.

Yay Aussies!

I worry about Lee though - friendly fire!