McGrath has the measure of Atherton

Like almost all great pace bowlers, McGrath has a nasty streak in him on the field. You need that at times because it's no good pottering around offering a batsman tea and sympathy when you've just whistled a ball past the end of his nose.

But, with experience, McGrath has also learned to control his aggression.

Once or twice in the past when he got riled he also got wild. But now McGrath just gets even and he has developed into just about the complete fast bowler.

England are likely to need good starts with the bat to have any chance of stretching Australia. Consequently, they will be looking to Atherton, as the senior man, to lead the way.

He'll know how tough it is going to be against McGrath, though, and the sight of him trooping back to the pavilion with not many runs against his name would have a big effect on the morale of both teams.

I did think, a month or so ago, that this could be a closely fought series. But now I reckon on 3-0 to Australia, assuming there is enough bad weather around to prevent them from cleaning up 5-0.

England's confidence must have dipped after losing the Second Test to Pakistan and then being walloped in almost every match during the NatWest one-day series.

Now it seems as if they are struggling to put a team on the park with people dropping out through injury. I don't know the extent of any of the problems so it would be wrong to comment about individuals.

But, speaking generally, I'd rather see a class act hobbling his way through a match than watch a second-string performer trying to bridge a gap which is too big for him. It has not been all bad news for England this week, though. It may have escaped your attention but a team of ageing Poms managed to beat us old Aussies at Trent Bridge on Sunday - even after I had Graham Gooch caught behind for a duck!

We had some fun and a pretty good crowd rolled up to see us trying to turn back the clock. But it wasn't quite so amusing the next day when my body started telling me I really ought to stick to the commentary box.

The real question, though, is will that Trent Bridge success be England's only cricket victory of the summer against Australia? I believe it probably will be because Steve Waugh's blokes are even more hungry for wins after losing the series in India a few months ago. But while I don't think the result is in much doubt I would like to see a competitive series.

No doubt, whatever the score, 'sledging' will get a big mention in the media because people on the outside are always fascinated by what is said in the middle.

There is nothing new about rivals passing the odd remark. It has been going on since blokes started playing this game.

But, as far as I'm concerned, there is nothing wrong with a bit of banter, provided it is kept within bounds.