Don, Steyn has been a touch better than average v Australia in SA. 27 tests best innings 4/55, match 7/152 with an average of 26.44. Against Australia (home and away): 57 tests 5/67 match 10/154 ave 27.28

Don, as far as I can see, Kallis has only performed with the bat. He averages 40.36 with a high score of 147 and 5 tons. Bowling is average at best 50 wickets at 37.56. This is V Australia only. Having said that, I do like him as a cricketer and as a human being. There are some great stories doing the rounds about him and his charity work.

Thanks Don. Just got to get used to international travel every year again.

No probs Don, I realise that, it's a debate about the current state of both England and Australia. Unfortunately, I can't make it. (Daughter is over from North America and has just given birth to our first grandchild, so SWMBO says no go)

Of course they have underperformed, more to the point, they've played badly, been captained badly, and it seems they've been unable to see where they have been doing things that don't change the outcome. Lehmann took advantage of that. In my book, that makes him pretty astute. Finally Don, as I mentioned earlier, Lehmann ambushed the England team. He learned from the earlier Ashes series, where, obviuosly, the England hierarchy didn't.

Please Don, don't be so demeaning. Over the years both side have given it large to each other. Without a doubt. Please don't use that as an excuse. Clarke told Johnson to "break" Jimmy's arm, after Jimmy had said he would "smash" Bailey in the face (or something similar). It is not one sided

just noticed our edit. The ball, kooka or Duke does favour the "home" side, for a few overs. If they can't adapt, then they have problems. It didn't seem to affect other sides that have won away from home. The Australian attack hasn't hunted as this for a few years. Lehmann has changed the attitude of this team, no doubt. At least three Don. http://www.bbc.com/sport/correspondents/jonathanagnew?cps

So, Don, what has caused an indifferent team to start performing? remember, this was a team that had.t won in nine tests.

Don, Johnson wouldn't have played if Starc and anyone of three others had been fit. Johnson got stuffed after the SA tour when it was deemed that he had to change his style to adapt more to swinging the ball. He has just come good, back to a more upright delivery. No doubt McDermott and Lillee have aided the redemption. However, the Aussie team is more than Johnson, the bowlers have hunted as a pack, and that is down to Lehmann. South Africa are the pinnacle at the moment, we'll see what happens there. I'd suggest you read "Aggers" article on the Beeb website. He is not mincing words.

Bryan, for me, your third para says it all. Something has happened. You don't fall apart like that without a reason. Trott leaving, that on it's own could be understandable, but when Swann gives it away? The disappointing thing about this tour is being handed a thrashing at the hands of a (previously) inept Australian side. The only difference is Lehmann.

Neekoy, Lehmann has engineered an ambush of England. He knew the 3-0 loss in England was a lot closer than the result suggests. Lehmann has put belief in the Aussie squad, he's got them back to basics (although there are a few problems to resolve). He's got Clarke, imho, to be more tactically astute, and to hang in there with his decisions. Contrast that with Flower and Cook. Cook looks shell shocked. He doesn't appear to have much support in the team. There didn't appear to be a plan, let alone any backup contingency. Some of the fields he set today were plain daft. Adding to that, after the 'Gabba test, England seemed to be a fractured party, and never got back the unity. The general feeling amongst my cricketing mates was that England would win the series fairly easily. I must admit that I agreed with them, it seemed a series to soon for Australia. Without Swann in Sydney, I can see a 5-0, unless some of the England players start playing for the team and not themselves.

Bryan, I think that's why people are questioning Cook. Whilst there has been some comment (on tv mainly) about him from the Aussie commentators, one or two of the English guest commentators have been making comments about it too. No one has come out and actually said directly that he should be dropped, they just questioned his ability to lead. Generally they wanted him to be more agressive in the field. An example of that was the other day, Cook was in his slip position whilst there were four others at the bowling end discussing what to do. I don't expect Flower to be the coach after this tour.

I think SAR's problem with Haddin, Johnson and Warner is that (at the moment) they are successful. Warner and Haddin are no 1 and no 2 in the batting averages and Johnson is no 1 in the bowling averages. Whilst you're up there, then yes, they are going to hand it out, just like Jimmy did. As I said, swings and roundabouts. The next match/ series or even the remainder of this innings may give someone else a chance to give it large to the opposition. It is, has been, and will always be part of the game.

Don, would you care to explain why Haddin, Johnson and Warner are tools, and members of the opposing team aren't? They haven't been saintly on this tour, have they? Have they, over time done things that members of the opposing team haven't? As for Clarke, I'm warming to him, his tactics are working well. I didn't like him to start with as I thought he was a bit of a weak leader. That's changing. Lehmann, what can you say about a bloke that has got an ordinary team working as a unit. The Rovers could have used a coach like that in the recent past.

Don, you and I know that Johnson copped it large in England, he's just returning it big time. He's on top now. Why do you think the Aussie team did the "Shush" signal to the Barmy Army? If you knew what Haddin has gone through, just to get to this stage in his life, you'd be singing his praises. He's done it tough with the illness his child had. Finally, if you think Warner contemptible, then you'd also group "Beefy" in with him, wouldn't you? Swings and roundabouts Don.....

Ball of the day, today, was Jimmy to Clarke, the exact mirror reverse of Watson's to Carberry. This test is looking to be very close.

Looking that way, Don.

Kamy, they didn't put any pressure on the bowlers. They let Johnson, Siddle, Harris and even Lyon dictate terms. The bowl of the day had to be Watson to Carberry, an absolute pearler. One wonders what would have happened had Pietersen been caught early on?

I notice that Swann's Granny is getting in on the act, blaming "an Aussie" for him retiring.

It seems Swann has been having a little swipe at some (unnamed) team mates. Those things are better left unsaid. All it does is create rumours about those that are still up for it. Shame, it's all unravelling for him, after a pretty good career. Graeme, you should have left, and said nothing.

Don, I'm just sorry he's not going to play in Sydney. It would have been an interesting battle.

I'm certain it was a spur of the moment thing. Certainly Brasnan, writing on the Beebs website didn't know about it yesterday. Monty would have been recalled to Melbourne anyway, if he was playing in Sydney Grade, as he was part of the touring party and would have to have been available if required. Whatever the reason, the worst thing you could throw at Swann is apauling timing.

Not so sure about that Stuart. I think, being taken apart in this series might have had some effect, but he wouldn't become a bad bowler overnight, and "slowies" are used to a bit of stick now and again. I'm disappointed that he didn't hang around for Melbourne (Boxing Day would have been a blast for him, I'm sure. 90K in the stands), but in Sydney, he would have had a field day for the last three (maybe four) days. He was one of those players the opposition used to love to hate, but secretly wished he was on your side. Grudging respect, is the term I believe. I'm sure you had the same feeling about Warnie. Maybe he's had enough of touring. However, I feel that he could have gone out on a high note after Sydney.

Graeme Swann Has just announced his retirement. Presumably following this series. It actually says "with immediate effect". Didn't see that one coming. I thought he'd have a few more years in him. Good bowler btw.

See what I mean, Kamy, Tom M.