And now for the Australian perspective

Everything about the Australians has given the impression of disarray, bordering on panic.

From poor form from the incumbents and having to name an extended squad to appease some ludicrous marketing decree, to the criticisms and innuendo being levelled at Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke and the general malaise of the normally nationalistic Australian press corps, England have been the team in command and the Aussies on the run.

There is no doubt England holds the psychological momentum, or did. But it can change very quickly.

England relieved their frontline bowling quartet of official duties for the match against Australia A at Hobart.

Instead they were in Brisbane, attempting to master the art of swing bowling with a Kookaburra cricket ball in the same environmental conditions they will encounter in the first Test.

They obviously think it’s a good idea but it belies a lack of confidence that has been well concealed since their arrival.

It means they are still worried they aren’t good enough to get the job done.

Swing bowling is not rocket science.

For those with the correct technique it comes naturally. Those who don’t have little chance of acquiring it overnight.

These Englishman have proved they can swing the ball.

The only problem is in Australian conditions with the Kookaburra ball, the swing doesn’t last very long.

Another week in the nets in Brisbane isn’t going to suddenly reveal some hidden secret that will make it swing like a monkey all day long.

The only other reason they may have skipped the Australia A game is a fear the Aussie batsmen could collar and dent their self-evidently fragile confidence.

Either way it speaks of uncertainty and the first signs of cracks in the previously impervious English facade.

Jay Buchan is a sports reporter on the Queensland Times newspaper and will be blogging throughout the Ashes series.

* Do you want your blog to appear on the T&A Ashes website. Simply e-mail it to bradford-sport@telegraphandargus.co.uk and we will put the best of them on the website.

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here