We are all here in Nottingham for the Third npower Test match and hoping for either a win or a draw to secure the Ashes.

In between Test matches we played Hampshire and only used four batsmen because the selectors felt that some of the guys that played the Test needed a break and as most of them happened to be batsmen, it is just the way it worked out.

Unfortunately we were bowled out by lunch and then Robin Smith played a fantastic knock, one of the better ones I have seen given the conditions.

The wicket was up and down and he copped plenty of blows on the body, including a cracked rib but didn't grizzle and played some great shots and fully deserved his hundred. His partner for a fair part of his innings was Neil Johnson and he showed what a quality cricketer he is as he put away the bad balls with ease in both his knocks.

Looking to the Test, there has been some drama over here, namely the so-called leaking of information that was for Australian team eyes only. I think the media are making a mountain out of a molehill. It wasn't for their eyes but was accidentally put under someone else's door. Surely they could of returned it knowing it wasn't for them to view?

If you find somebody's wallet in the street, surely one would return it? But as I said, certain sections of the media have made a lot out of it and I have devoted enough space to it already.

We have heard today that Yorkshire's Chris Silverwood has gone home to rest his back and Alex Tudor might be in doubt. That is a shame for England and both those guys individually as they have worked hard to come back from setbacks. As I know how frustrating it is to be injured, I hope that their ailments are not too serious and they are back playing as soon as possible.

Our preparation for this Test match has gone well. The lads have trained hard and we are all very enthusiastic to play this game. It is going to be a tough Test and the wicket looks to be a great batting strip so if we do the hard yards, be patient with both bat and ball, and seize those key moments in each session each day we will be in a great position to hopefully win the Test match and wrap up the Ashes.

On the AFL front, I was saddened to hear about the Bulldogs going down on Friday night. Simon Katich ('Dog' as we call him) and I were very keen on the outcome of the match as 'Dog' is a Tigers supporter. In the end though, I had to buy dinner. I was spewing!

A quick update on the table, Ricky Ponting is currently leading with our fitness guru, Jock Campbell, who led the first few rounds, is sliding down that greasy pole and is now in 12th place. Justin Langer has now shot up one place from last and was replaced by "Dustus" aka Matthew Hayden.

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