As the chart shows, the top six England batsmen have been trying to sell their wickets dearly, staying in as long as possible on a pitch that has thrown up its share of vipers. And their scoring rate has certainly not been slow by Test standards: a combined average of about 2.75 runs an over.

But this doesn't come close to Australia's rate, which has stayed above four runs an over throughout the series. In their first innings at Headingley, for example, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn and Adam Gilchrist scored at well over five runs an over (Three batsmen, a run a ball).

Only Alec Stewart has matched that at Headingley. In taking the attack to the Australian bowlers, Stewart not only brightened England's day (especially when he hit an almost unthinkable six off the usual nemesis Glenn McGrath) - he also remained not out and made the highest score in the innings. Surely no coincidence on a pitch like this.

More Wisden 20:20
Australian batsmen in control - Saturday, August 18
Three batsmen, a run a ball - Friday, August 17
Ricky Ponting: runs in all directions - Thursday, August 16

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