Chris Rogers: Aussies facing some big decisions

I HAVE to admit I got it a bit wrong over the second Test.

I thought Australia would be the stronger side after having the better of the first Test at Cardiff but I guess it didn't work that way.

The first session set up the game. I said before that the opening batters and the opening bowlers would set the tone and when Australia didn't take any wickets in that first session, it was an uphill battle for them from then on.

The first innings lead was such an important thing to have and really allowed England to take it to Australia in their second innings.

With such a big lead, it didn't matter if they lost a wicket or two and they put themselves in a position where they had a great chance to win the game.

Fair play to the Aussies, though. They could have capitulated but really an Australian team is never going to do that and they are always going to fight to the end.

Chasing 500 is not impossible and when Michael Clarke was going well with Brad Haddin, I thought they had a chance.

If those two had batted together for another hour on the fifth morning, anything could have happened. They possibly could have won it but it needed one of those two to bat to the end.

England's bowlers had the chance to recharge and to freshen it up overnight and when Australia lost Haddin so early in the morning, the balance of the game changed again.

Freddie Flintoff played a huge part in that process, of course.

Speaking to Adam Gilchrist and Justin Langer, they say facing Freddie when he is bowling as well as that is like facing Curtly Ambrose.

He wants it so much and showed he has such a big heart to keep running in and bowling over 90 miles an hour for such a long spell. As a batsman, you hope it is going to get easier but it never did this time.

Australia have some big decisions to make before the third Test, because it has become such a massive match for them.

They can't afford a repeat of that first session at Edgbaston and it will be interesting to see what changes they make to the bowling.

There have to be a few question marks over Mitchell Johnson, because he hasn't bowled anything like as well as he should so far in this series and that means Australia have to look at their options.

Shane Watson is fit again and even though he hasn't played a lot of cricket lately, I can see them taking a punt on him because he brings them something extra with the bat as well.

Having Brett Lee available again would be a real lift and don't forget Stuart Clark is still waiting for his chance.

I have a massive respect for Stewie's bowling and he can be such a difficult man to face.

The wicket at Edgbaston has been a bit dead for these last couple of seasons and so it could be a good option to have someone like Stewie in the side who can keep it tight and nag away at the batsmen.

They certainly have to find something else. England have the advantage in the series now and Australia have to put that right straight away.