Sometimes it's good to be the hare...

It's easier to start well than play catch-up, and while the Tortoise and the Hare is a cautionary tale of how you should finish strong, geez it's easier when you start off in a strong position.

Aussie fans finished their dinner in the eastern states and switched on their televisions to see the welcome visions of this:

The funniest thing about seeing these pictures was most spectators had sought drier areas from which to swill local ales. But the English cricket team took the opportunity to pretend it wasn't really raining - perhaps a version of a Jedi mind trick that Yoda Baz taught them.

The entire first session was a write-off, and it looked as though the entire day could go the same way. However, a pause in the falling sky-beers, and an amazing ground that drains moisture quicker than... (actually, I'll leave that one alone) and the covers were off and we had us some cricket played (darn!). England's tails were up and they could smell blood. With the Smudge in the sheds, that confidence that we could get through this was definitely diminished, and with Head resting and the pads off, the Aussies ability to score rapidly was also on ice.

The Conductor and The Bison - both of the them not out over night, both batting with extreme patience. Marnus racking up his half century at a positively snail like strike rate of 42 when compared to the home team. However, he batted with a steely resolve we have not seen on the tour thus far, and Mitch Marsh proved to be the perfect accompaniment, providing the assurance that has been lacking with the other West Australian all-rounder. Both batters had a little luck on the way, but didn't try and force the issue and let the English bowlers come to them. In what was a well deserved knock and one that was full of character, Marnus posted his first ton on tour with a risky random push through the offside from the spinner. Bat raised and none of the English acknowledging his accomplishment (unlike when Crawley posted his ton and then upon on dismissal - love the Spirit of Cricket) The Conductor had gone a long way to rescuing Australia's series. It would have been fitting if Marnus could have seen out the extended session, but a great catch from Bairstow (who had a blinder of a test and probably only second to Spider in MOTM honours) off the bowling of Dud, sent The Conductor back to the sheds and the crease being occupied by 2 big Western all-rounders.

And that's how the day finished with more rain falling over Manchester. The Bison on 31 off 107 balls, and the Giraffe with 3 off 15 (who survived a couple of close appeals). But only one long session for the day and more rain forecast for tomorrow, has the Hare done enough to retain the urn?

JT