I haven't read this thread .....it's too long....so apologies.
But I would like to say that it was a Brucey bonus to have got a draw out of such a debacle.
What struck me was the gulf between the to sides in two areas:-
Technique and determination.
The Aussies had better technique.......they played straight to balls on the stumps and picked their shots. England were playing across balls heading obviously for the stumps, hanging their bats out and turning their backs on high balls while leaving their bats up.
Poor.
On determination the Aussies had the mentally of 'under no circumstances will I give my wicket up recklessly'.
Those are the two main areas England need to catch up on.
But do they ever learn???
I wonder with some of the comments from the likes of Pieterson.
They will continue with the same faults.....yet we have the class.

He will and Onions...

Could be good for England as it will hit a psychological blow to the Aussies that they haven't been able to convert their dominance into a win.

Remember last year when we dominated South Africa in the first Test, Bell got 199 and Pietersen got a century as well, we made them follow on then they batted out the draw. That was a turning point.

The worry is that our "escape" will paper over the cracks and we will rest on our laurels, it's something English cricket (and sport in general) is good at doing.

Truth is, on that pitch, neither the batting or bowling were up to standard. The batsmen are probably safe, there isn't much competition out there, but Bopara and Cook in particular need to step it up at Lords.

The bowling was pitiful, but at least there are a few options about to do something about it. Panesar will go, to be replaced by a seamer which should be Sidebottom or Onions, but I won't be surprised if some nice collective amnesia overcomes to selectors and Harmison gets chance 2479, bowling wise I'd be looking at Stuart Broad's place too, but I think he's safe for now.

The bowling was truly awful throughout. The batsmen have ability but far too many careless shots. Need a massive improvement all round to have any chance in the rest of the series.

Also, Ponting has never been a 'sportsmanlike' player. He has personally overseen the use of sledging as a basic tactic of Australia. And he looks odd.

I would think the omnipresence of a certain former Yorkshire and England batsman on every TV and radio commentary will help to make sure reality is observed.

Fantastic effort by Colly, Swann, Andersona and Monty, to come of that game wth a draw will almost feel like a win.

The batsmen should hang their heads in shame, they have the talent but they need to have the mental ability. When they go out they should have the attitude of guarding their wicket with their life and plan on staying in for the day, instead they get out to pathetic shots which is basically giving their wicket away.

We need to make changes to the bowling for next week, I would like to see Harmison and Onions come in and Monty and Broad left out.

As for Ponting, he is hardly a saint so let him whinge I say.

The players hardly celebrated, just a few hugs and handshakes. In 2005 when McGrath blocked a game out the Aussies were as giddy as school girls as they celebrated on the balcony and rushed out to thank pigeon.

I still don't know how we are whinging poms? the Aussies make whinging an Olympic sport (one of the few they could beat team GB at )

Onions and Harmy in for Monty and Broad, simply has to happen

Read at the weekend that the pitch at Lords is expected to be quick but fairly flat.