Aside from the first hour of play on day 4 from Trent Bridge when I was otherwise engaged watching the Queensland Reds extend their wining streak against the NSW Waratahs in Super Rugby to six games, I was able to watch the bulk of play over night and to say it was another pulsating day of test match cricket would be an understatement.

Here are some reflections on day 4:

Oh Eddie: not again!

I am on the record as being an unabashed fan of Ed Cowan. I am unsure as to whether it is just nerves or the new coach has suggested that he become more positive at the crease but he seems to be in a rush with the willow in his hands at the moment and again fell to an ill-disciplined and “unCowan” like dismissal. If Australia do not win this game then I suspect this my curtains for my favourite current player.

DRS plays are role: again

When DRS was introduced it was touted as a means to avoid “clangers” in umpiring decisions. It did that on day 4 when C Rogers was given out caught behind having, patently, not hit the ball. The umpire got it wrong, the batsman reviewed and the wrong was rectified. The decision to give Phil Hughes out was another line ball decision that went in England’s favour and we just need to get on with it and accept it.

That said, the use though of DRS Will continue to create angst for players and fans alike whilst the system remains flawed. I have written on this before but simply allowing only 2 challenges makes no sense in the context of the avoidance of “clangers” imperative for its introduction. The ICC must look at this sooner rather than later.

England one bowler short?

After going for 80 runs off 15 overs in the first innings, S Finn put in another uninspiring performance for England on day 4. He again seemed to bowl without rhythm and was generally a little bit too short and the Australian batsmen looked largely at ease when he was bowling. I can’t see him being retained for the second test regardless of the result tomorrow.

Chris Rogers = quality

I know he was dismissed softly (I tweeted as much) but innings of Chris Rogers did nothing but enhance his reputation. In only his second test match but having the benefit of nearly 20,000 first class runs behind him he looked confident and assured in his method and stroke play. I know he is 36 but I am wondering how long he can go on because I quite like seeing him at the top of the order!

Win, lose or draw: a moment of pause for the Poms?

I wrote in my preview suggesting that Australia could still win this series that the English were smug and expected to win this series. Australia has shown enough fight in this test match for some of the smugness to have worn off one suggests. Indeed, some indications from the field in the last session of the day were of a team frustrated, particularly given some of the sniping between players that was obvious when some mistakes were made in the field.