During a day of absorbing Test Match Cricket, you could cut the tension with a knife as England battled bravely to save the match. For 87 overs, Cook, Bell and Pietersen battled with great application but a double strike by McGrath in the 88th over to remove Cook and Hoggard has firmly swung the balance back to Australia. Cook has now scored more hundreds before his 22nd birthday than any other England batsman and is clearly destined for a long career.

It is interesting to note that Tom Moody originally spotted Cook's talents during a Worcestershire v Essex trial game in 2004 and phoned then Academy Director, Rod Marsh, to say he has never seen a better young batsman during his time in England.

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This match has already produced an aggregate record attendance for a Test match at the WACA with a day still to go. Over 90,000 have so far attended to beat the 1970/71 record of 84,142.

One of the more amusing moments during the day came about when Barmy Army trumpeter, Bill Cooper, played a wonderful rendition of Dad's Army whilst Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne were bowling.

Monty Panesar has taken 40 wickets during his first year in international cricket and is just four behind the third placed player, Roy Tattersall (44), but still some way behind Terry Alderman (54) and Curtly Ambrose (49).

One of the great traditions of overseas tours is the number of England flags on display at every ground and this tour is no exception. Until recently the Australian authorities actually encouraged banners and flags with prizes for the best. Some classic banners in the past include "If the Poms bat first, tell the taxi to wait" and "Gladstone Small won't stick his neck out for anybody". My favourite was a banner that read "Phil Tufnell's Fielding Academy - apply here" which always appeared right behind him when he fielded on the boundary in Melbourne. The England flags usually carry the names of individuals or a pub name or a football team.

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My favourite at the WACA was a large St George's Cross with a picture of a toaster in the middle of it. It certainly fooled me until the Kent CCC Member said she presumed they came from Towcester! Very clever - the flag that is.

One day to go and hope springs eternal. The Ashes really are on the line but one fact keeps us going. 12 wickets fell on the first day, 9 on the second day, 5 on the third day and only 4 on the fourth day. Mathematicians will tell you its in the bag!