I'm watching the cricket sitting in my loungeroom in Melbourne, the wind lashing at the trees outside, while they play in faraway Cardiff, the capital of Wales, where the weather - in summer - is forecast to degenerate into something like our winter.
It's the first ever test match played at Cardiff. The Welsh are better known for their rugby, but it has been a good turnout and despite the home teams travails they seem to have enjoyed themselves. I'vre enjoyed them - the singing, the trumpet playing, the occasional chanting. It brings a very different, and welcome, flavour to the game.
As I watch Australia march on. In all likelihood the weather will prevent a result, but if there is to be a winner then it will be us. England made a good first innings score without really captalising on their opportunities. The Australian bowlers stuck at it well, with a brief exception, and minimised the damage.
Australia then batted and has been at the crease for 2 days with still only 5 wickets down. Ponting made another century, so too Katich, and as I watch North is slowly approaching the mark. We've batted with application and characteristic determination, and in so doing have slowly ground England into the ground. As it stands the lead is 88.
By comparison have become sloppy. It's hard being in the field for over 150 overs, but it could have been a lot harder. It's not Australia when the temperature would be something in the thirties, it's England in summer where the temperature has been no more than 21 or 22, and a lot colder. The conditions are not tough.
I sometimes feel I am tough on the English. I have some of that disdain which comes easily for Australians. I go on about this I'm sure, but for us it's all about the contest, whereas it seems something they fear. I think there is a widespread view over here that the English are soft, and that's a pretty damning thing to think.
Right now they're not doing much to dispel that notion. They're sloppy in the field, their bowling is largely uninspired and captaincy is by the numbers. They've clearly given up on this game, which is pathetic. They're playing slow to use up time and hoping for rain. It's against the spirit of actually competing, let alone sport, and actually becomes self-defeating - if only they could see it.
On paper there's not much difference between these sides. I think Australia might just shade them for talent, but that small advantage is mitigated by the home ground advantage they enjoy. The big gap is in attitude, and it's an attitude that is bred into us and seemingly bred out of them.
It's this difference in attitude that sees England giving up on a match 2 days out when, in a much more dire predicament in Adelaide 2 years ago the Australian team refused to concede - and then went on to bully their way to a famous victory on the last day. And it's this attitude that means while England may enjoy occasional success it will be fleeting. You have believe to win, you have to be positive and be ready to put in the hard work.
It may be fear too. For so long Australia has been the master of England in style as well as in substance. That Adelaide win in fact typifies so much in the sporting relationship between the countries. I wonder if they ever think they've got it won. I wonder even despite all the hyperbole - and there is always a lot - if they don't really believe in their heart of hearts they don't measure up to the Australians they have grown up losing to (and I include the English public in that). That they can't really beat Australia.
And it's that mindset that leads them to play more conservatively, more defensively, forever looking over their shoulder - when Australia will and always have played their own game very aggressively. I'm guessing, but I wouldn't be surprised.
Regardless, it makes me feel very sour, but it also explains why genuine competitors like Flintoff are so well regarded here. We recognise something in him and respect it. He's also a darling of the English for his big heart and great performances - but it seems something they admire from a distance without being capable of emulating.
They need to follow his example, need to play with the heart the Kiwi's do, and the Saffies, not to mention us.
England may well win this series, but I think not, certainly not with duds like Broad in their team. Australia 2 or maybe 3-1. Get on top of them early - as we are - and I doubt their capacity to fight back.
PS Two things to add. I rang JV before, home watching the cricket to. I asked him if I was being unfair. No, he thought, that's just the way they've always been
Secondly, North just got a century on his Ashese debut. In a lot of ways he epitomises the difference between the teams. He's not the most talented player in the side but he just puts his head down and does the job. He's prepared to work on the basis that nothing good comes easy. There'll always be someone putting their hand up, you can rely on that.
