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PAUL COLLINGWOOD'S TOUR DIARY
England are in a strong position going into day 3 of the first test in Brisbane.
We started slowly yesterday because some of the lads haven't played cricket in months. It's a complicated game and you have to get used to it again. You can't expect bowlers like Harmy or Jimmy to get it on the strip straight away - it takes practice. As for Gilo, he hasn't played in a year and he didn't take wickets before his absence, so we can't expect him to now.
Ricky Ponting hung around a bit too long, but he's a class act and you have to admire him for it.
Personally I think Brett Lee is the danger man with the bat. We had them struggling at 467-6 when he came in. He showed his ability time and again in England last year and he showed it again here. He's a great competitor.
However, it's clearly a 600 pitch - it always is in Brisbane - so if we get our heads down I'm sure we can get a decent score.
Obviously we've had a couple of setbacks with Straussy, Cooky and myself back in the hutch, but with Belly and KP at the crease, and Gilo adding depth to the batting, expect fireworks tomorrow.
We've got the Aussies where we want them now. They're already talking about regaining the Ashes before Chrsitmas! It will only take a couple of double-centurions tomorrow and the doubts will start to return.
Paul.
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