Maybe I am different from other people, so I cannot imagine how people would have the energy to continue to follow the fortunes of the teams over the next six (6!) matches. If the Ashes is the main attraction of the summer, then people would build up to the final conclusion upon which they would let themselves go.

The bigger point is how absolutely silly ODIs seem nowadays. After the Twenty20 World Cups and the IPL, one-dayers seem so tedious in comparison. They are the marathon in comparison to the 100m sprint that T20 matches are. Maybe the last few minutes of the match builds up to a thriller, like it did today, but generally it is a big wash.

You may say that the same argument could be made for Tests, but I think Tests are fundamentally different. There are too many differences between ODIs and Tests, but ODIs are so similar to T20s that you can find little justification for ODIs other than the money angle.

Just to be clear, I was a huge fan of ODIs, but my thinking changed after the rise of Twenty20. Like many people, I thought T20 was a gimmick, but when I realized that ODI was also a gimmick that ate up a full day that I changed my mind about it. India winning the first T20 Cup didn’t hurt, either.

But Jimmy Anderson and Monty Panesar ensured that there was no repeat of that match by surviving for an incredible 69 balls. And the effort by Collingwood would not go wasted. Australia did almost everything right after they bowled out England in the first innings, but, incredibly for an Australian team, they could not press their advantage to win the match.

Like all of you who watched the final moments of the match, it was one of the most nerve-wracking Tests I have experienced. The recent Sydney Test between India and Australia was much more intense, but that was a match that was more likely to end in a draw until Michael Clarke happened. This one was supposed to be an innings loss much earlier in the day, but England proved to be tougher than anyone expected.

The score stays 0-0 with four more to play. England were outplayed, but they now have the luxury of re-booting without having to come from behind. It is likely that Broad and Panesar will make way for Harmison and Onions. Of the batsmen, Bopara is the one with the biggest question mark, but he is sure to be there for the next Test. I wonder if the selectors may use the result to keep the same team – that would be one strong statement of intent, if unlikely to happen.

In general, I thought England’s problems arose not from any strategy problems, but from execution. It was a good idea to pack two spinners and bat first. Hauritz’s success showed that Panesar and Swann could have posed problems if Australia had been batting last. But the English bowling’s inability to break the Australian defences in the middle days coupled with a less-than-great first innings score lead to their downfall.

On the Australian side, it was a case of “close, but no cigar”. The Australian bowling was good, but they let the English tail wag twice in the match. They have to come up with a game plan to handle that. Mike Hussey is the only weakness in a strong batting lineup.

Next up, the Lord’s Test where Australia have not lost for a few decades now apparently. Australia remain the overwhelming favorites. Can Strauss and Flower turn the England team around in time to create a stunning upset? England, by saving the Test in a show of determination, should build upon it instead of celebrating an escape.

And so the Great Australian Comeback is complete. A few months ago, after losses to India and South Africa, everyone had written them off. With a return victory against the South Africans and now a powerful statement against England, we have a newer, better Australia that is as dangerous as ever.

When you have four of seven batsmen making centuries and the only person who failed is the one of the older members of the team, Australia are well placed for the future. Their bowling still seems inexperienced and they don’t have a Warne yet. But I suppose we could even see that remedied by the end of tomorrow.

Where does that leave England? There will be significant changes to the bowling attack. Broad is definitely out, most likely to be replaced by Harmison. Panesar will probably go, as Swann has more promise, even if Panesar took one wicket.

If Australia continues in the same vein, a few careers will end with this Ashes.

The rest of the day was a grind. Australia moving ever surely towards an imposing lead. I suppose if Australia is still there by the end of Day 3, England is down and out. There is a lot of batting to come yet.

I am a little disappointed. It would have been nice to see a tighter contest between bat and ball, like what we did in the England innings. But so far, the England bowlers have shown many glimpses of that.

Homer and others have suggested a defensive strategy by England: pack one side and bowl to it, or bowl fewer overs throughout the day. I am not so sure. I don’t think England can execute it well, nor do I think that the England mangement would think of doing it. They may be forced into it if things don’t improve during the day, but I cannot see them use it to nail the Australians.

The good news is that England can hold their own against the Australian bowlers. So if things don’t turn out well, they can always try to bat out a draw. We will know if England have a hope by lunch tomorrow.

I am cheering on England and so I hope this won’t sound biased. I think 336/7 for England is a pretty good score considering that they were able to play as equals against Australia. Of course, Australia may go on to make 600 and win by an innings, but so far, England have not surrendered in the fashion that they are used to.

I suppose England could have made more and many will point to Pietersen’s moment of madness as a turning point, but they generally did well. Most of the English batsmen made runs and there were good partnerships. During the Flintoff-Prior partnership, Australia were on the backfoot. Pity it didn’t last.

Now, the lower order has to press for a score around 400 and strike early. Broad, Swann and, to a lesser extent, Anderson can hang in there. Australia will want to get them out cheaply. If England are still there by lunch, Australia will have to bat well to avoid a fourth innings chase. The Test is taking place at a new venue (Cardiff) for the first time and England have two spinners which could make things very tricky.

I also like the Guardian over-by-over commentary.

Jrod is also live-blogging at Cricket with Balls.

So here’s the funny thing: Strauss and Bopara were batting well and I just wrote, “England are in an okay position at 64/1. I hope I haven’t jinxed it.” Immediately, Strauss fell to Johnson. Terrible.

Moral of the story: Do not write anything even remotely favorable to England unless/until they win the series.