Can't bat, can't bowl, now we can't field

Australia endured another tough day at the Adelaide Oval as England reached 2 for 317 on the back of another hundred for Alastair Cook. Temperatures hit the high 30s and it was tough work for the bowlers, who weren't always backed up by their fielders. Jesse Hogan says they are mistakes this Australian team can ill afford.

In Brisbane, Trott was twice dropped by Michael Clarke, on 34 and 75, on the way to an unbeaten 135. Clarke deserved credit for getting a hand to the first chance at point, but the second, at slip, should have been a cinch for any international cricketer. Yesterday, Trott was on three and at least a metre short of his ground when Xavier Doherty's throw from square-leg went well wide of the stumps. He then offered a chance to Mike Hussey at gully when on 10.

In the Age, Peter Roebuck looks at Xavier Doherty's difficult start to Test cricket and doesn't feel he's the right spinner for Australia.

Doherty has also been handicapped by curious field placements. At times the Australians strain too far to accommodate different batsmen, setting pre-ordained fields designed to exploit technical flaws. It looks clever and everyone goes gaga when it succeeds but it is contrived and can put the bowler off his game. As often as not it's wiser to back the flinger by letting him focus on his skills and not on the strengths and weaknesses of his opponents.

Over in the Herald Sun, Richard Earle says Australia need somebody to stand up and be the leader of the attack.

Fans remember how Dennis Lillee would storm to the crease with unrivalled ferocity and followed through with missiles of rare quality - men lifted in his presence. Lillee would pass the baton to Craig McDermott - a typical fiery red-head who was forced to take on the might of West Indies side at the peak of its power in the 1980s and early 1990s. Glenn McGrath succeeded an injured McDermott on Australia's watershed, victorious 1995 Test tour of the West Indies and never looked back