Inside Harmison's struggles

Now we're through day two of the Gabba Test there's a lot more material to work with, and top of the pile is a typically insightful piece from Simon Barnes in The Times. Barnes approaches the malaise of Steve Harmison from a pleasingly different angle and leaves one feeling a degree of empathy for the bowler who remains England's best chance of overturning Australia.

In The Independent, James Lawton examines the performance of Ricky Ponting on the first day, and the contrasts with the fortunes of Andrew Flintoff as England struggled.

Lawrence Booth in The Guardian admires the efficiency of Glenn McGrath after his perfectly executed plans accounted for Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook, while Richard Williams feels that England's Ashes defence is in deep trouble.