This is getting to be dangerous territory for the Aussies. The weather forecasts suggest a draw with two tests to come, with the Oval traditionally being a great batting pitch also favouring a draw.
Even if the Aussies manage a drawn series and retain the Ashes, that would be deemed a failure in the eyes of Ponting's detractors

How's the waterlogged pitch? Its a guaranteed draw init......

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...460431,00.html

"Cardiff, Lord's, Headingley and the Oval have all had extensive new drainage systems put in place over the past couple of years.

Warwickshire, like their rivals, were given the opportunity to install something similar following an England and Wales Cricket Board handout of £600,000 per county.

However, any such project last winter would not have fitted in with their other redevelopment plans at the ground, and were therefore put on hold."

Yep, no play yet (Thurs) and Sat & Mon forecast heavy rain!

30 overs were played; Australia 1 for 126 at the end of the day.

Good toss to win.

Tell you what. I hope we see in the Aussie media how Strauss' very sporting gesture to allow Ponting to replace Haddin with Manou has got Aus out of the sh!t, seeing as how scathing they were of England's "cheating" in Cardiff. I can't see how Ponting would have made the same decision if the boot was on the other foot, especially as Haddin is probably Aus' most consistent batsman in this series so far and key fielding position.
Now you could argue that England are at a disadvantage, as they would have never seen Manou bat and would have no idea how to bowl to him as part of a plan, he could well go on to make a century now

Isnt it a moot point? England may yet get to see Manou bat for a while if the rain eases off enough for them to get down the Australian batting order of the 1st innings before the 5 days is up. Then by the next test which may have a chance of playing out ok nobody can complain since he will officialy no longer be an unknown quantity... If anything - playing him in this test is a mistake by the Aussies as they waste the element of surprise throwing him out there for this 'training session' test that cant possibly be anything but a draw.

still 1-0 up after 3 tests is a healthy position for England to be in....

true, but the Australian intentions here are clearly to get as many quick runs as possible, hopefully bat once and bowl out England twice. That is the only way this test can be won, as I don't see how the weather will allow for 4 complete innings. They are off to a good start and would look to post 500+ and declare to throw England into the lion's den. We also have to remember that they have an extra bowler in Watson in this test

Replacing Haddin wasn't a tactical decision it was a necessity. I don't know anything about this bloke Manou. Is he any good?

I've never even heard of him. He's another new boy on the block; this is his very first Test! He's also a wicket keeper, so I don't think the English bowlers have much to fear from his batting. Make a century? I'd be surprised if he managed 25 runs!

The Aussie team is looking quite poor at the moment. Weak bowling attack and too many newbies with not enough collective experience.

He can bat 5 x 100's and 16 x 50's

It's very rare for an Aussie batsman to enter the international test arena and not get off to a good start. They are generally so well prepared from playing in the domestic league and tend to make an instant impact. Once teams have had the chance to work them out that's when you can start to limit their runs.

That'll slow down their scoring rate!!!

What a start, they need to kick on now, close run out...