Friday, 3 August, 2001

Day Two, Third Test at Trent Bridge

Warney's dismissal of Craig White on the last ball of the day has this game sitting precariously in the balance as I type this postcard.

There has been more advantage changes in this match than there was in the last game of this year's Wimbledon Final.

Like Goran serving for the Wimbledon Final, both teams have been serving their hearts out trying to gain an unassailable advantage.

Unfortunately neither side has been able to pull clear of the other, leaving the probable outcome of this contest a thriller tomorrow at Trent Bridge.

In this day and age, the word betting is absolutely taboo, but to steal a clich�: if I were a betting man, I would bet on a heart-wrenching conclusion to this third Test match.

After Adam Gilchrist and Jason Gillespie took us to a five run first innings lead, England looked to be gaining an advantage until the final hour clicked into action.

As the big hand ticked past twelve, Steve Waugh introduced the partnership of Dizzy Gillespie and Shane Warne.

The effect was immediate. If Jason Gillespie doesn't take a big bag of wickets before this series is over I will run around the Oval naked after the final Test.

He is bowling so well that the thought of being an opposing batsman sends a shiver down the spine.

On the statistic card he is hardly dominating the series, but take it from me, he is in brilliant form.

His line and length are world class and the pressure he is building at one end is suffocating for the England batsmen.

Working in partnerships is crucial in our game plan, and the Warney and Dizzy partnership tonight could prove to be a match winning combination.

While Warney has the rewards in the form of five wickets, the team is delighted at the way all of our bowlers performed.

A confident Warney is a joy to watch, and when he has some assistance from a wearing pitch, the outcome is generally devastating for the opposition.

With England leading by 139 runs, the first hour of play is likely to be crucial.

Chasing runs is always a difficult assignment, especially when chasing a target to win an Ashes series, so every England run will be like two from here on in.

The advantage we have is that the Trent Bridge pitch will only be a third day surface, so we will be hopeful that we will be batting in relatively even conditions.

Another three-day Test match looks likely, but although the administrators won't be happy with the shortened games, the entertainment value from this series has been fantastic.

If you love Test cricket, my prediction is that day three of this Test will be one of the most memorable ever.

Time will tell!

From Nottingham

JL