Edgbaston Test, Day 2, lunch
Friday, July 6, 2001 I was much more impressed with England in the field today. The bowling was lots, lots better, especially Darren Gough who I believe was feeling unwell yesterday. The only mistake England made was that they missed some opportunities – Mark Waugh was missed twice and Steve Waugh could have been run out.

On the whole I reckon Nasser Hussain has done a pretty good job. This is one of those wickets where you can't afford to be too aggressive. You have to set more defensive fields than you might usually, and wait for the chances to come. They came – but England missed them.

There's been a bit of talk that Ashley Giles should have bowled more, but I think Nasser had decided that his best chance was with the seamers. He needed an early breakthrough, and got one, but there wasn't another for too long, and Steve Waugh turned the game back in Australia's favour.

I spoke to Michael Slater before play started this morning, and he said he was keen to continue in the aggressive way he'd played last night. But that had been against pretty ordinary bowling, and England tightened up that aspect today. Overall Australia had decided on a calmer approach, to try to bat all day and take a lead, and it seems to be working.

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