It's all down to the weather

Monday 6 December 2010

More rain overnight in Adelaide but at 7am it's currently dry and quite clear. But unfortunately we have one of those odd-looking skies which makes you think the next storm cannot be too far away. From my perspective England did everything right again yesterday (with the possible exception of an off day from Jimmy Anderson). You had to expect some sort of Aussie fightback with the bat, as it's still a very good pitch and their players are fighting to save both the Test and, in some cases, their careers. Clarke's unbelievable dismissal just before the close to KP (Test bowling average around 150) was a hammer blow for Australia. It's "only" one wicket, but I have written before about the thin margins between success and failure in top level sport. Going into the final day only 3 wickets down and Clarke 80 not out would have given them what looked like a fighting chance, whereas now the long Aussie tail is looming large in England's sights. The only reason England will not win this Test on Day 5 will be the weather or some truly exceptional batting, of which the former is likely to prove the greater threat.