Just after we wrote that England were struggling, Root steps up and is counted as he has Cowan is caught at slip by Trott for 14. Nelson has struck and Australia go into tea on 111-2 after Root’s first Test wicket. Clarke is next in and England will see his and Rogers’ wicket as the two they desperately need.

Chris Rogers has made his first Test match fifty as England continue to struggle to get a stranglehold on the game. Cowan is at the other end on 14 and even the introduction of Joe Root can’t buy England a wicket. Australia are 111-1 and need a further 200 to win.

England have the wicket they needed as Watson is trapped LBW off Broad’s first ball after drinks. He falls for 46 despite a review and Australia are on 85-1 needing another 226 to win. Cowan is the new man but it is Rogers in trouble in the next over as he is given out caught behind off Swann but a review this time works in favour of the tourists and he is reprieved.

Tony and Frank have the job of keeping the Nottinghamshire Cricket Club members in check.  Not that’s it a particularly hard job, as they told Brian Fairchild. “The main priority is to make sure that everyone is in the right place.  Not everyone gets tickets for the Pavilion area, so we have to make sure that only members with the right tickets get into the Pavilion itself”.  The Pavilion dates back to 1886, which makes Trent Bridge the world’s third oldest cricket ground.  Frank commented “You should see the competition by the members to get the best seat in the Pavilion.  The Ashes have nothing on that!”

Hannah, Gertrude and Heidi look as if they have just come off the set of ‘The Sound of Music’.  In real life they are Nottingham students Chris Hope, John Petty and Craig Jones.   Getting into the spirit of the Ashes today, John confesses that their choice of costume might not have been the best colours.  ”With all this green and gold, we look more Australian than their supporters do!”  Chris told us his reaction to England’s second innings ” We have a decent total on the board.  I think the Australians will do well to get more than 150.” An England victory today would certainly sound like music to their ears.

This innings isn’t going to plan for England as the first wicket partnership has moved on to 68. Shane Watson has moved to 36 and Chris Rogers 32 as they continue to put England to the sword. Momentum seems to be back with Australia and that can be a dangerous thing when a man of Watson’s calibre is at the crease. The tourists need 243 runs to win whilst the hosts are still striving for the first wicket of the 10 they need. The general chatter around the ground has grown quieter over recent overs with the crowd sensing the important period ahead.

With lunch taking precedence at Trent Bridge at this moment in time the topic of Australia’s startlingly impressive run rate will definitely be on the lips of the crowd. Having almost made more runs in their second innings partnership then they did in their first at a much more confident and casual rate, Shane Watson and Chris Rogers seem to be playing the game with the passion that the Australian fans and players will undoubtedly be wanting to see. With 28 runs off 42 balls it is starting to look like a more promising approach by the Aussies and after their first Innings victory it will come as no surprise to see their confidence rising as each ball is struck to the boundary with a sense on nonchalance.