Trent Bridge Test, Day 2, close
Thursday, August 3, 2001

Steve Waugh's tactics have been very good this afternoon. It was the first time Australia had really been tested in the field this series, but they fought back when they had to. A few decisions went against them today but they didn't let it affect their play. Waugh shuffled his bowlers around well, although I think he slightly overbowled Jason Gillespie when there was an opportunity to bring back Glenn McGrath or Brett Lee towards the close. Gillespie bowled very well, without a lot of luck, and did look tired in his last couple of overs.

For me, Mike Atherton's wicket was undoubtedly the turning point- he's always the big wicket for Australia. He'd been batting well and hanging in there. He was always going to be the rock of the England innings and, once he was dismissed, they certainly struggled.

A few things went England's way today. Mark Ramprakash had a bit of luck when he was out off a Lee no-ball. Brett bowls a lot of no-balls and it's an area of his game he can work on. But the Australians won't have been too down about it. They have a positive attitude in the dressing-room, and that comes across on the field.

Australia really built up the pressure on Ramprakash. Gillespie bowled beautifully at him, and I don't think he knew where his next run was coming from. He took the chance to run down the wicket to Warne and lost the battle. That's what happens when you're faced with good bowling from both ends.

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