[ZenGum]

As day four began, England began showing signs of psychological defeat. North and Haddin were at the crease, both youngsters in their first Ashes game, but England seemed to be aiming at leaking runs as slowly as possible, rather than getting the Australians out. They started with their less-threatening quick bowlers, then tried their two specialist spin bowlers, who between them have done very poorly - taking just one wicket and conceding 246 runs between them.

Worse, England's attitude in the field went bad. They played slowly. They didn't attack the ball chases, allowing the batsmen to take runs they shouldn't have taken, take extra runs, turn twos into threes. The returns to the wicket keeper were often inaccurate. One runout chance was missed because the bowler failed to get in the correct position behind the wickets to catch the fielder's return.

England took the third new ball (a very demoralising thing to have to do, but which often creates a few wickets) but this merely allowed the Australians to increase the scoring rate as the fast bowlers were brought back, and the fresh ball bounced on to the bat and ran over the field better.

By lunch, Australia had added 98 runs without losing a wicket, with North on 101 and Haddin on 50, with the total an impressive 5 for 577.

Now the strategy of the game became complicated. There were only five sessions left in the game (1 and 2/3 days). To win, Australia must bowl England out a second time. This will take some time - at least a day, usually - and if the English batsmen can avoid getting out, the game can end in a draw, and Australia's huge run total will be pointless.

To prevent this, the batting captain can declare their innings closed when they judge they have enough runs. So it became Ponting's decision as to when to declare; the sooner the better, to have more time to bowl England out, but not so soon that England could make a lot of runs, set Australia a target, and then possibly bowl Australia out, and win.

With the declaration looming, wickets become less valuable, and quick runs more valuable, so North and especially Haddin came out firing after lunch. Haddin belted his way to 121 before being caught in the deep, leaving North on 125 as Ponting took the opportunity to declare.

Australia made 674 for six wickets. This is a massive total, leading England by 239 runs. It is the fourth highest Ashes innings total ever. It is the first time four batsmen have all passed 100 in the same ashes innings. It is all but impossible for England to win.

England's batsmen began their second innings in dull light with damp weather about. The English were tired and dispirited from two days of chasing the ball about the field, but the Australian bowlers had spent the same two days in the dressing rooms, waiting to bat, and now they were popping with energy.

The pressure was soon rewarded with Cook out for 6, plumb LBW to Johnson with the score on 13, and then Bopara was rather harshly given out LBW to Hilfenhaus for 1, and as some rain came, England went to tea at 2 for 20.

However, the weather intervened and showers and drizzle made play impossible for the remaining session, so two hours were lost.

England's best chance to save the match is to hope for rain. The forecast for Cardiff tomorrow is for "morning rain".
The other option is to bat the day out. Since Australia will have little fear of defeat, they can be very attacking with their field settings and allow runs in exchange for taking wickets. Because of time already lost, tomorrow will be a longer than usual day - minimum of 98 overs, weather permitting. Australia need eight wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Australia has one specialist spin bowler, and three of the batsmen are also part time spinners, so the turn-friendly wicket could see some high-pressure cricket tomorrow. Stay tuned!


Sundae: England are doing badly.
Pie: I deny your alleged Indian heritage. :p