To matters on the field first....England finally showed some form on Days 2 & 3 against NSW.  The bowlers polished off the last 5 NSW wickets for about 60 runs, & then after a few early scares, Strauss (50), Cook (59), Flintoff (62) & not least Pietersen (122) all showed good touch with the bat. Bell's waft outside off stump to a Clark delivery however, was worryingly similar to some of his dismissal's last summer against McGrath & co. Let's hope he can put that behind him & get some runs in Adelaide.

Watching Freddy & KP putting on a 100+ partnership whilst carting McGrath, Lee and Clarke to all parts of the SCG was a great sight, & I just hope there's lots more of it to come this summer.

Strangely MacGill didn't bowl & it's not clear whether the Australian team were trying to limit England's practice against legspin before the Gabba, or whether he was injured.  He looked fine to me when I saw him in the bar later.

When England went back out on the field to bowl at NSW in the 2nd innings, we did bowl much better & NSW finished on 194 for 6 at the end of the day's play.  Most impressive was Anderson who took 3-40 & was on a hatrick at one stage.  I think that spell may have sealed his place in the side for Brisbane.

Off the field, after an all too short stint Down Under, Tresco was off to the airport again with a recurrence of his stress related illness. Let's hope he takes a proper break this time & gets himself better.

His departure does leave open the fairy tale scenario of Michael Vaughan coming back early, maybe for the 2nd or 3rd test, into the openers spot where he was so devasting in the last series here.  How good would that be!! Otherwise, Cook has some big shoes to step into, but I think he'll fill them with ease.

Back in the press room Beefy was doing what should have been done weeks ago - giving the Aussies hell & telling them that they are a bunch of geriatrics better suited to starring in a Dad's Army episode than battling England's young and fit Lionhearts.

You can get a whopping 33-1 on England winning the series 3-1 or 3-2, and an unbelievable 80-1 on a 4-1 series win.  Australia to win 5-0 is only 4-1, whereas an England 5-0 series win is 330-1!!!!!  Australia are now an unbackable 5-1 on, to win the series.

I certainly enjoyed the 3 days at the SCG & it was good to get so close to the England set-up.  It's the cheapseats from now on so will have to enjoy life with the Barmy Army.  3 days gone, just 24 to go...

COME ON ENGLAND!