England's best way is to bat out today, declare on day 5 and hope we collapse again. There are only two results though, a draw or an English win.
Disagree on the first part, what England did is the best way to win. Quick runs = pressure, although 168/5 was not an ideal start Flintoff and Prior took a grip of the game, with some help from ordinary aussie bowling. England were never likely to lose even if they were knocked over for 180, the aussies needing to post a target that England couldn't possibly get and that would have taken up at least half the remaining time.
So quick runs it was, as many as I had hoped for to give a 113 run lead. Flintoff's 74 was an excellent knock, Broad made himself useful with some runs to make it 202 runs at around 33 in recent Tests. BUT the key is now to bowl the aussies out, for around 250 as I think I said earlier in this thread. I think Poncing out yesterday makes it entirely possible, those who've criticised Strauss' captaincy will get to sit in judgement as today is key.
Strauss needs to juggle his bowlers effectively, he may well hide Broad out of sight and focus on Flintoff, Anderson, Swann and Onions. I pray he opens up with Onions and Anderson, our most effective bowlers in this match so far and he missed a trick not opening with Onions last night. This will also Test the England captain regards field settings. As with the follow-on, had he enforced it, Strauss will have to balance taking wickets with not conceding too many runs too quickly. No 500+ to defend so fields can't simply be four slips, two gullys and most fielders attacking. And that is why I reckon Broad will not feature much, maybe be given 3-4 overs to see how he does but if he is expensive or does little then he'll be left outfielding.
Basically England need to get it right, they can't afford to go more than an hour without taking a wicket. Five down by lunch should be a minimum target, that would leave the aussies effectively around 90-100 ahead and half way out. The aussies will want to bat out the session for no more than two down, frustrate England and bat beyond tea. I think Poncing's wicket last night has made the England win as likely as a draw.
All in all we're set for another fascinating day's cricket, who says Test cricket is dead and T20 will rule? England were in trouble in Cardiff and fought hard to survive - successfully. The aussies were in deep trouble and posted 400+ in the 4th innings but lost. Now the aussies face another fight to keep it at 1-0 in the series, apart from the aussies piling on the runs at Cardiff there have been few dull moments in the series so far.
