Swine Flu and all that.

[Sweder]

Ah, the dreaded Ashes moment I've long feared appears to have arrived.

Facing the trickiest of sessions your countrymen have stood tall, laying redoubtable bat onto uncertain ball with admirable resolution hour after hour. Clarke and North have played themselves into some form, both deserving of a test hundred (not quite secured as I write) whilst England's worldbeaters have lost some of their sparkle.

Time to rest the Fredster with a view to wheeling out Sidebottom or even Harmison at Headingly. After bowling Ponting last night with a Warne-esque jaffa Swann has looked horribly mortal today, though I don't doubt his ability to bounce back; he's quite a character.

Crack open a tinnie ot two mate, and welcome (back) to the series.