Sorry, Mike, but Waugh is too strong

When Waugh arrived in the middle during the First Test in Birmingham there was still plenty of work to be done - and he did it with yet another century. Even we Australians are losing count of how many crucial knocks he has played, which isn't bad for a bloke who struggled early on and was even dropped at one stage.

It took Waugh until his 27th Test to score a century and a year or so later, when the runs dried up for a while during England's 1990-91 tour, he found himself replaced by brother Mark. But events like that only make you stronger, provided you come through them.

There is something else, from even further back in his career, that Waugh can call on if he wants to make a point. He is now the only Aussie still playing who knows what it feels like to be in a losing Ashes side. That happened in 1986-87, a long time ago but if there was ever any danger of complacency creeping in then Waugh could tell his team that losing to England is not an experience they would want to share.

As for more modern times, I thoroughly enjoyed the First Test of this series - and not just because of the result. There was a lot of good cricket played, some of it by England.

They made good starts in both innings and that last-wicket stand on the opening day between Alec Stewart and Andy Caddick could have been significant. The facts that it wasn't goes back to Australia's whole approach to this game under Waugh's leadership.

He backs his team to come through any situation and their first thought is almost always to attack. Far from being knocked back by a century partnership, Australia just stepped on the gas even harder and any advantage England thought they had was gone in next to no time.

Waugh's men are now playing Test cricket like most other countries try to play the one-day stuff. And why not? If you have the weapons then use them.

As for England, they must cling to the bits and pieces of encouragement which came out of the First Test.

The Poms don't have to win at Lord's. In fact, that is probably asking too much, but they can push Australia a lot harder than at Edgbaston if they build on what went right for them and cut out some of the mistakes.

Hussain was up against it in Birmingham from the start because of England's injury problems. At least Atherton looks as though he might have Graham Thorpe back on duty. Thorpe's combination of experience and ability was badly missed. Now if he plays at Lord's and Mark Ramprakash also comes into the middle order then the batting line-up will have a more solid look.

I'm not saying it will be enough to beat Australia, but the result could be a bit closer.