Day three: Australia's new Love?

Matthew Hayden produced a big innings on Saturday when it really mattered. Pity about all those time when it really mattered and he didn't.

Perhaps Hayden will emulate his Queensland team-mate Martin Love in scoring a century in his last Test match.

Justin Langer became the eighth Australian batsman to take his Test career aggregate (now 7001) past Bradman's (6996). The others are Allan Border (11174), Steve Waugh (10927), Mark Waugh (8029), Mark Taylor (7525), David Boon (7422), Ricky Ponting (now 7309) and Greg Chappell (7110). Justin Langer. Regardless of the proliferation of Test matches these days, it just doesn't seem right.

Let me harp yet again on Langer's mental dexterity during cushy radio interviews. Recorded on Friday evening after stumps on the second day (source ABC):

JIM MAXWELL: And what position do Australia need to get in here? How many in front need you to get to have a hope of winning this game?

JUSTIN LANGER: Well 500 would be nice. Five hundred in front...

And you trust this guy to make rational decisions about the light?

With a maximum possible 196 overs remaining in the Fifth Test, Australia trail by 96 runs with seven first-innings wickets remaining. Let's not even talk weather.

Listen to the CBBC report of the third day's play.

There really is some entertaining journalism accompanying this Ashes series. Noteworthy in Sunday's Observer are pieces by Kevin Mitchell, Tim Adams, Will Buckley and Mike Brearley, who is harshly critical of the singing of "Jerusalem" before England Test matches these days:

Someone said that ever since seeing the film If..., for which it's the theme tune, he's wanted to pick up a machine gun and mow down anyone singing the song.

Forty-seven overs bowled on Saturday, so only the one Midwinter-Midwinter vote for the day: 1 pt - Matthew Hayden.