Aussie TV goes English

For those watching the Ashes through the dark winter days in England and don't have access to Sky (or just fancy hearing a different set of commentators) there has been the chance to sample Channel 9's coverage through the BBC's highlights. During England's first-Test mauling there was much predictable bemoaning of the performance, but at Adelaide the Australian commentators have seemed to have gained as much enjoyment out of England's improved show as the Barmy Army. David Hopps assess Lawry, Greig, Chappell at Co in The Guardian.

The real surprises remained with Lawry. He anointed Pietersen as "a great cricketer" by the end of the first day, and on the second he even turned on Warne, his fellow Victorian, as he retreated into leg-stump line. "We've had enough of this round-the-wicket rubbish," Lawry barked. O'Donnell added of Pietersen: "This guy is stunning; he has only played 20 Tests and he has taken one of the world's greats and made him look skill-less."