I’m still unsure as to whether England’s first innings total of 425 is a good score on what is essentially still a flat Lord’s track, but with Australia 156 for 8 at the close of play on the second the home side can be proud of their efforts so far.

Australia took just 11 overs of the morning session on day two to polish off England’s tail, as Andrew Strauss, unbeaten on 161 overnight, Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad, provided little resistance to some good swing bowling by Ben Hilfenhaus.

A defiant last wicket stand of 49, again involving James Anderson, a hero at Cardiff, made England’s first innings total more respectful.

And it was Anderson who was given first use of the new ball and with swing in the air he made the new cherry talk, reducing Australia to 10 for 2, as newbie Phillip Hughes once again failed; a note to all England followers who are calling for the head of Ravi Bopara, it takes time to establish yourself in an Ashes contest.

Ricky Ponting followed shortly after, given out caught at slip, despite not hitting the ball, but should have been given out lbw anyway. A case of right end result, despite the umpires got there by going down the wrong path.

Simon Katich again threatened to build another monster partnership as he did at Cardiff with Ponting, this time with Michael Hussey, but England’s bowlers were finally bowling to the fields set for them, and Katich perished pulling to a magnificent tumbling catch by Stuart Broad at deep square leg.

Nerves appear to be playing a huge part in this Ashes series, with both sides openly admitting their new players have been struggling with stage freight in the biggest arena.

Katich’s wicket seemed to impact the nerve of the Australian batting line up, while Broad’s catch imbued the tall fast bowler with new found confidence.

Suddenly wickets began to tumble and Andrew Flintoff got his just rewards from an intimidating probing spell, knocking back the off stump of Mike Hussey, well set on 51, leaving a straight ball, in an almost carbon copy of the dismissal of Strauss earlier in the day.

When Flintoff retires his test match statistics will tell you only half the story. What they won’t tell you is the amount of pressure his vicious endeavour creates that the other bowlers benefit from.

The wickets of Michael Clarke, Marcus North and Mitchell Johnson soon followed as England turned the screw. And when Brad Haddin fell pulling Stuart Broad to Alistair cook at midwicket the Australia ship was sinking fast at 153 for 8, until the bad light and rain came to save them.

England must wrap up this innings quickly tomorrow. If they do it without conceding more than 40 runs I expect them to ask Australia to bat again, but remember, England did the same to South Africa in 2008, who then proceeded to bat for the best part of two and half days, losing only 3 wickets in their second innings, to save the game.

One other thing: when is bad light considered bad light under flood lights, bearing in mind England lost Alistair Cook and Ravi Bopara in much gloomier conditions in Cardiff on Saturday. As Matthew Hoggard would say “ridonculous”.

PHOTO: England’s James Anderson (3rd L) appeals and gets the wicket of Australia’s Phillip Hughes (R) during the second Ashes cricket test match against Australia at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London July 17, 2009. REUTERS/Philip Brown