It could have been worse...

When I woke up this morning I thought about how bad the first day could be and then I saw the BBC headline: "Australia rip through England", and I saw 'all out for 150' or worse in my mind. Many real England fans will remember what we're capable of and be quite relieved by that performance. As notorious slow starters this is not as bad as it could have been. The two low points are obviously Strauss and the hat trick but there are some reasonable performances to go against that. And as Geoffrey always says: "you dont know what's par until both sides have batted."

The only regret is that whatever psychological edge England had built up by their great start to the tour has been completely wiped out in the first day. I'd still back us to come good even if we lose this first test. Hopefully better things to come tomorrow.