Cricket: Aussies to win Ashes? Yeah, right

Michael Vaughan has out-thought and outplayed his counterpart in this series and the contrast in their performances has been crucial. Ricky Ponting has been unable to impose himself as a batsman or as a leader. Meanwhile, the Englishman has been in command of himself and his players. His influence has been strong.

It's a good part of the reason why England stand on the brink of an improbable 2-1 Ashes lead after dominating the first two days at Manchester.

In every respect England have been livelier. Fielding and running between wickets provide an insight into the state of a team. The hosts have been superior in both areas.

A picture appeared of Vaughan being clean bowled by Brett Lee. Not the least interesting feature of it was the sight of his partner backing up several yards down the pitch. England have stolen numerous quick singles from under the noses of a lumbering opponent.

Whereas Australia have been timid between the wickets and sluggish in the field, their opponents have been alert.

Ian Bell's reflex catch at short leg at Edgbaston was typical of their work, a half-chance turned into a wicket. Australia have dropped umpteen catches and the outfielding has been leaden.

Vaughan has also made the better decisions off the field.

After Lord's, England were urged to change their side. Ashley Giles, Geraint Jones and Ian Bell were among those mentioned in critical dispatches. Vaughan observed that this team had risen to second in the rankings and deserved further opportunities. Helped by a doughty coach, he had built a purposeful outfit and did not intend to throw it all away at the first sign of trouble.

Contrastingly, Ponting has made crucial mistakes.

Bowling first at Birmingham was a howler. Allowing Glenn McGrath to play at Old Trafford confirmed the anxiety among the visitors.

Tactically, England have been ahead of their adversaries. Vaughan has set shrewd and imaginative fields for every batsman. He studies the psychology of the individual.

Determined to stifle his opponents, the better to create doubt, he does not over-attack. Although England passed 400 in his first innings at Old Trafford, he was quick to protect the cover boundary thereby turning booming drives into miserable singles. He understands that these opponents feed on domination.

Not that his thinking is defensive. Rather he plays the pressure game. He exposes and exploits individual weaknesses, pushing a man at fine leg-slip for Justin Langer and another at silly cover for Simon Katich. Matthew Hayden is confronted with a man at short mid-off and sometimes another at quite close cover.

England have made better use of their resources. Ponting has asked his men to bowl long spells - in England's first innings in Manchester Lee had a stint of eight overs for 48 runs while Warne wheeled away for 27 overs. Even a few minutes break can work wonders on the mind of the most willing spinner. Gillespie, too, was given little relief.

Vaughan has survived a defeat at Lord's and a bad patch. Now it is Ponting's turn to fight back. To that end, he must trust his instincts. He must also hope that he wins the right tosses and that his players stay fit. He is not suddenly a hopeless case. Already he has passed many tests. Now he faces his greatest challenge. His team is looking old but needs to think young.

- INDEPENDENT