Brisbane Day 4

Not quite pride restored, but certainly a much improved performance. Colly and KP really took the fight to the convicts during the afternoon session and you could see at one point that VC Gilly was struggling to know what to do next. In fact it looked like the little blond kid out of his depth was directing affairs in the field, which was an interesting insight into dressing room politics if Ponting's back doesn't recover.

It was devastating for all concerned to see Colly fall 4 short of a deserved hundred. He fought so hard when he came in and played some great strokes once he got past 50. It's the third time in 2006 that he's fallen in the late 90s which suggests that he has the talent but not quite the personal maturity yet to deal with the big pressure moments.

Hopefully KP can go on and complete his ton in the morning, which will be thoroughly deserved as he has looked like a class player all the way through his knock. No slogging, just controlled hitting this time. The rumours in the crowd are that we can still save this match, which is technically possible, but will require us to bat to tea tomorrow with no more than the loss of a wicket. Hoggy, Harmy and Anderson won't last more than a session together. However even if we do lose, we've shown today that we can compete with the Aussies and their attack isn't all that special. McGrath noticeably bowling few overs as the heat caught up with his age, it will be very interesting to see how he copes in back to back matches in Adelaide if he gets another long day in the field.

Off the field, the main story is around the lengths the local police are going to stop anyone having fun. The Barmy Army's trumpeter was evicted from the ground, all beach balls are confiscated and any beer glass snakes are soon dismantled on the grounds of health and safety. They are really getting a bad press here for being overly officious.

Although give the Aussie Cricket board its dues, their ticketing policy and treatment of the barmy army has noticeably reduced the atmosphere and England's 12th man is almost redundant. If only our own cricket board acted in a way that was favourable to helping their team achieve results on the pitch, scrapping 2 lord's tests in favour of two Oval tests and starting the summer in South London would be a good starter.

Bumped into ex-England player Derek Pringle in the street the other day. He really has consumed an enormous quantity of pies since giving up playing! He'd even give Hazeldorff Jr a challenge on the scales. Talking of Stu, do I see that I've snuck into the European places over night in the fantasy footy? When are you going to launch a challenge my Bavarian friend?

Thanks for your posts John & Colin, hope all goes well next week even if your partners are sticking to the "I got pregnant after Cheltenham" line. Do text me or e-mail when it all kicks off!

Sir Richard, good to hear from you. You're right I wouldn't swop this experience for a copper's lot in Addlestone. I trust that your keep-fit regime is going strong as I'm expecting the usual 400 runs/20 wickets next year. Wilts, your absence of posts is very conspicuous, perhaps you're consumed with wedding planning?

Only 9 days to the lovely Liloushka gets out here....and counting...

Here's hoping for an enormous rain clound in the Sunshine State overnight

Up the Monty