In normal circumstances, ie: weather not a factor they’d bat on ‘positively but properly’ and try and score as many as possible in the first innings that they can then bowl Aus out again and win without batting a second time, or chasing very few in the 2nd dig. And we can have men all in catching positions without much worry for saving runs.
But weather may be a factor, so 2 options really as i see it.
Bat on for an hour or so of quick scoring; KP and Prior are both aggressive sorts and Bell’s in super nick as well so we could look to add another 75 or so in 12-15 overs, put the lead up to around 400 and then have a go at Aus before lunch. Like above, then you’ll try to roll them over for an innings win and maybe have to chase a few late on if necessary. While batting, we definitely won’t be running anywhere near the worn areas to make them any more scuffed up than they are because then it would make batting against Swanny very hard indeed.
Or – declare now, same premise as above but realising that while the pitch is good there is a chance Aus may yet bat 5 sessions and score 450 themselves, in which case we then have a major run chase to get one of those tricky 150 odd 4th innings scores in 25 overs on a wearing pitch.
It’s by no means a done deal this one. All three results could be possible, depends how much weather plays a part and also shows how pitching the declaration right and then handling the balance of attack vs preventing them getting too many makes test match captaincy a very tough game.
