Play Johnson, rest Hussey
Mitchell Johnson probably feels like a rest but he has to play in the two-day tour game against England Lions this weekend so he doesn't lose the gains of Leeds. His six wickets included 5 for 69 in the second innings, proving he was finally back in top form after his horrible struggles earlier in the series. Having found his groove, Johnson must keep bowling to stay on track for the most important game of his life. Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus can cope with a break this weekend but Johnson can't afford to ease off before the fifth Test on August 20. How he performs determines whether England have a chance of an Ashes victory.
With the success of Shane Watson, who scored a third consecutive half-century as opener in Leeds, Australia's only batting concern is Michael Hussey. He has two half-centuries but has managed 155 runs in six innings to extend his worrying lean patch. Hussey, an incredibly focussed character, was put in charge for the previous tour game against Northamptonshire when Ponting, Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin were rested. He doesn't need that this time and would benefit more from a complete break - the Ashford Eurostar terminal isn't far from Canterbury - rather than wasting two more days of nervous energy against inferior opponents.
The last time Australia felt this good was in South Africa in March when a similar-looking outfit knocked off the hosts to seal the series in the first two Tests. They celebrated during a week off and returned, admittedly for a dead rubber, to be thrashed by an innings and 20 runs. Two days off in Leeds was the reward for the Headingley success, but they must be wary about what they do in the next.
There have been some grumpy fast bowlers at stages during the tour and now there doesn't appear to be any way back for Brett Lee. He will have an innings to show his fitness at Canterbury but unless he knocks over eight batsmen will be limited to running drinks in the final Test. How he deals with another setback could impact on rest of the attack. Stuart Clark faces another tough wait while the selectors consider whether to keep him or call up the offspinner Nathan Hauritz. Suddenly the squad of 16 looks too big. The team management has extra off-field work to do to ensure everything runs smoothly over the next week.
Peter English is the Australasia editor of Cricinfo