I, like many Australian fans, was seduced by the Australian team's fighting effort in Trent Bridge into thinking that Australia was an even money chance at Lords to win and was proven woefully incorrect. I think we can all agree that the performance at Trent Bridge was an illusion that glossed over the current deficiencies in this team which had been sharply pushed into the open in India and then had the metaphorical bandaid ripped off at Lords.

So what now for fans of the Australian cricket team as the count down to the 3rd test swiftens pace? I would love to be sitting on my lounge hopeful of win for the baggy greens but I am also a realist and thus think it is important to set myself some expectations for this test match that I suspect are equally applicable to most Australian fans.

Here are my 5 expectations from the Australian team for this test match (assuming selections are as I think they will be):

1. Australia will fight hard: As sad as it is to say, during some of the tough moments of Lords test match, particularly with the bat, Australia seemed to simply “give in” in the face of pressure. I am sure that Darren Lehmann has “spoken” long and hard to his charges about this during the 10 days since Lords and I expect to see Australia play with renewed vigour and tenaciousness that will translate into fighting England all the way.
2. A draw is as good as a win: I know that is counter-intuitive and smacks of England in the 90s thinking but it is time to face that fact that Australian cricket is in a re-building phase and for a while going into every game expecting, as a fan, to win can not be the norm. This is not the team of early to mid 2000s and, frankly, our opponents have all caught up!
3. An Australian batsman will score a hundred: It may well be a Michael Clarke special but I hope it is someone other than the captain that steps up and scores a hundred for Australia in this test match and I expect one of them will. The hundred drought for Australia's batsmen other than the captain extend far into distant memory and with the 10 day break being spent to work on form and technique and a hard pitch in Old Trafford it is really now or never and I expect a batsman, yet to be named, to step up.
4. Australia is going to have bad sessions: With the recognition that this is a team in transition comes the obvious follow on effect that Australia is probably going to lose more sessions than it wins in test matches. A bad session must not be met with the lamenteous hand wringing that has been in the past by pundits and fans alike: they are a fact of life at the moment.
5. Shane Watson will have a big game: Not many of the people I follow on Twitter or speak to around cricket fandom have much of a wrap on Shane Watson. So much so that my recent Twitter sabbatical basically came off the back of the ridiciulous amount of negativity surrounding him. To me it is simple: Australia plays well when Watto is playing well and off the back of a 10 day spell I expect him to have a massive game for Australia with the bat and the ball at Old Trafford.

This is going to be a tough test for the Australians: coming back from a devastating loss always is. England have the pitch they want and a cockahoop and they deserve to be. I would love nothing more than an Australian win don't get me wrong BUT If the Australian team meets my expectations set out above I will be a happy fan.

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