The Surfer

Chappell: I didn't understand the lack of urgency, like in the running between wickets. I'd have sent Pietersen in at two-down on the fifth morning to let Australia know we still wanted to win the game. To me, that was the difference on the last day – one team were thinking they could win it. A lot of Test cricket is about the message you are sending to the opposition. For instance, when Gilchrist started whacking a few he was sending the message 'we can still win this game'. I don't mean whacking them in the air but you've got to attack Warne. He got one for 167 in the first innings because you guys attacked him thoughtfully. Collingwood [who made 206] doesn't go belting balls in the air but he played attackingly the whole time.

As prime minister, Menzies became famous for timing his overseas travel to coincide with important cricket matches. That practice was obvious even in 1938. In his VCA speech, Menzies noted that by some extraordinary circumstance, prime minister Joseph Lyons had asked him to go to Britain that year to confer with ministers "about something or other", and that he had sent word to the conference organisers asking that they keep the full list of the Australian cricket fixtures next to their inkwells

In language that may inspire a few of the current Australian line-up, Denton urged Border not to retire prematurely. "You'll know the right time to get out. There'll be any number of telltale signs. One day, for instance, you'll call for a runner and they'll send out someone with a walking frame. Or maybe one day you'll find yourself prodding the pitch — not to smooth out any bumps, but to look for a nice, soft spot where you can have a nap. Or you may simply find yourself going for a quick two, turning for the second run, and then completely forgetting why it was you were running in the first place."

Batsmen doubling as bowling consultants, experienced bowlers playing mentors, the troubled pacer Irfan Pathan picking on the brains of any former pace bowler who strolls to the India nets and Munaf Patel’s desperation to chat with Glenn McGrath all point to one thing: the inadequacy of the coaching staff to provide a support system to the bowlers.

You can't bring it back - it's gone. I will just spend the next 20 years worrying about it...I am two first-class games in to my comeback and I know there will be a push for Monty to play but if I am called to do a job I will, as always, do it the best I can.

Despite his many successes, though, a feeling lingers that Martyn might have given more to the game. He never lay naked before us, pain evident, joy unhidden. Instead he was skilful, and as dry as a creek. He did not engage, did not allow us to join him on his journey. His eyes lacked delight. Somewhere along the way Martyn was hurt. A brilliant youngster and a natural leader of the Australian under-19 team, he seemed destined for greatness. Even now it is possible to remember him all those years ago, representing his country in Chelmsford, swooping on a ball, throwing down the stumps, popular, relaxed, the gun of the side. But the flaw was also evident, the headstrong attitude that held him back for so many years.

Articulate, opinionated, intelligent and good company when he chooses to mix, Martyn is an unusual character who is not the man he seems. His jaunty walk - you could call it a swagger - and his general demeanour radiate confidence but it is really a cloak for insecurity. Unlike Glenn McGrath, who gets motivated by criticism, Martyn finds it deeply offensive, which is part of the reason he has retired. It disturbed him to go to the hotel door and pick up a paper with a story saying his future was under threat. It was killing his passion for the game.

Duncan Fletcher is privately fuming at being held accountable for omitting Panesar from the Adelaide Test, a match where England's No. 1 spinner Ashley Giles took just 2-149 to leave his career hanging by a thread.

"Look, there are a lot of people who have written us off in this Test match," Ricky said during Australia’s first innings. "Not just winning but even getting a draw. Let's go out and prove to them we can win this Test match."

For their part, England have found a way of cancelling out their chief good recent memory of Ashes cricket. They will always have Edgbaston '05, but they will now also always have Adelaide '06.

Cassim quickly steers the subject to his “friends” in Indian cricket. “I have great respect for Kapil Dev. Paaji is my hero. How is Ajay Jadeja? He was a good friend. And Mohammed Azharuddin? He is a great guy, it’s unfortunate that everybody turned on him. I knew Ali Irani (former physio) very well too, I hope he is fine."