So, on the fifth day of the Edgbaston Test the Australian cricket team with much determination played through to earn a draw with Vice-captain Michael Clarke scoring a plucky unbeaten century and with Marcus North put together a partnership of 185. Shane Watson and Michael Hussey also made half-centuries in a total of 375 for five which ensured that any damage was minimised and they would go into the fourth Test only 1-0 down.

The England bowling attack for once was bereft of ideas and the only moment of any note was a spectacular one-handed diving catch by James Anderson which dismissed North for 96. Earlier on in the innings Hussey and Watson batted out a third-wicket partnership of 85 in the morning session which proved set the tone for the Aussie innings for the day.

The seam attack of Graham Onions and Flintoff although providing a few scares to the Australian batsmen proved ultimately ineffective as did unusually, England off-spinner Graeme Swann. The only successes coming from Stuart Broad and Ravi Bopara.

When Tea was taken with Australia  on 293 for four the  draw was  looking  inevitable and indeed not long after the two captains duly agreed .With a day lost to rain and the Australians never looking likely to win this the third in the series of the 2009, there only option was for them to play for a draw.

If there was any doubt left in the England cricketers minds that this Australian team were capable of holding on to the Ashes these have now been banished. No previous Aussie team would have been content to play out their innings for a draw like this one and the once vaunted Australian invincibility has been shattered. If it had not been for the vagaries of the English weather, England would probably have been two up in the series. Bring on Headingly!