After winning the toss and fielding, Nasser Hussain would have been very happy with a first-session return of four wickets for 61 runs. Unfortunately for England, the first session in question came on the second day, with Australia almost out of sight on 364 for 2. But it was a vital passage of play all the same - one that restricted Australia to a total below 500, and allowed England a glimmer of hope. Fundamentally, England changed little from the first day. They stuck to a rigid line of attack throughout, with 86% (130 out of 152) of their deliveries pitching outside off. The difference, however, came in the length they bowled, particularly Andy Caddick and Craig White, who both picked up two wickets apiece in the morning. On the first day, England had been too predictable, sending down just seven short deliveries in the entire day's play. This time, with Caddick finding some long-overdue hostility, Australia were kept on their toes - and one man received an especially warm reception.

Steve Waugh has often been considered suspect against the short ball - his innings today did nothing to counter the claim. In 2001-02, New Zealand's medium-pacer Craig McMillan successfully peppered Waugh with short balls, catching him in two minds about whether to attack or defend. Today, no fewer than 81% of the balls that Waugh received from Caddick and White were short of a length, including the one that got him, fending off the gloves to John Crawley at leg gully.

By contrast, the rest of Australia's batsmen received a good length from Caddick and White for 71% of the time, although they too were tested by an animated attack, receiving at least one short ball per over (22%).

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