Mark Richardson: Credit to England but not to the press

If the Black Caps think they have it bad in New Zealand, well, it ain't anything on what the Poms cop! After the hiding the English took at Lord's, I was flabbergasted at much of the English press.

I'll accept there was plenty of expectation leading into the series. However, it was overkill and a witch-hunt akin to medieval days. The usual suspects were rounded up and condemned as unworthy and generally 'crap'.

After two days of test two, I therefore take my hat off to England for the way they ignored the overreaction and lynch-mob mentality of the English press, and played with the positivity and skill that they are capable of. Players will always deny it but the media and public opinion can have an effect on an individual.

Everyone has ego and ego is important when in a highly visual, public and competitive environment. It is easy for a player to go out to prove the press and public wrong or take too much to heart and let it affect their confidence. It takes strength to let it all wash over you and remain focused on those things you know you must do to have the best chance of success.

Possibly the most crucial thing needed for the best chance of success against this Australian side is to play with positive intent.

Man, did England go out and play positively... perhaps too positively and maybe blew the chance of making 500. But they did get 400 and it was one of the most entertaining days of test cricket I've seen on day one.

You just don't see Australia get hit about at over five runs an over for an entire test day but that is what England did and still someone in a reputable English paper managed to call for the dumping of Ian Bell and Geraint Jones and, in the same paper, Michael Vaughan was accused of having a cucumber for a brain.

After two days of this test England have gone a long way to answering the critics although the feeling round town is still: "Oh, they'll probably blow it".

They are in the box seat going into day three and, quite frankly, must win from here - no ifs, no buts! If they don't, then expect a scoreline of 5-0.

I believe in England's ability. I sort of have to after the 3-0 losing result the Black Caps suffered at their hands last year and, although I can't see them winning the Ashes, they'll at least fight with merit.

But it took one ball late on day two from Shane Warne, the one that turned at right-angles and made Andrew Strauss look like an idiot, to put a lump in my throat.

It suggests a lead of 125 with nine wickets in hand and three days left isn't all that commanding.

Day three, is moving day and I believe if England show the right temperament and technique, it is series on. If not, then let's all get 'into em'!