There's a contest brewing

Warne has been magnificient as usual and is set to become the highest wicket taker of all time against England. It's amazing how much turn he has been able to extract from a first day surface, admittedly one that is somewhat helpful. McGrath was surprisingly pedestrian; he hasn't been the same bowler since his injury at the start of the second test and today was a bit of a shadow of himself. Vaughan and Pietersen once again found ways to get themselves out. Regardless of the mini collapse, England look reasonably well placed with Strauss playing solidly and Flintoff pacing himself superbly - the all-rounder has come a long way indeed from his younger days when he couldn't quite stick it out when things got a little slower. - NK