Where to from failure?

It's been that sort of day - Australia's bowling failed yesterday, I failed to catch the train, the usual escalator from platform 6 failed, the train home failed to be on time and missed the connection (as well as being super-crowded due to two carriages out of action), and so on... Thankfully it ended with a great "fair dinkum" carols night, putting any failure in a bit of perspective.

Yes, it's definitely that time of year now. Christmas, and then the Boxing Day Test. The Saffers will definitely feel like celebrating, while Ponting and co will be a bit worried. Some are saying Lee's position is in trouble, but Peter Roebuck seems to agree with me that he bowled reasonably well, though not outstandingly or successfully. He also says the batsmen were as culpable as the bowlers. They didn't do that well, but I don't think improving the batting will lead to winning any more matches.

Which takes us to Melbourne. Hauritz has been brought back to NSW, and back to Australia. The same questions remain. It hsa been said that he is more defensive, which might be necessary in the absence of Clark. As for pace, will Hilfenhaus replace Siddle? And while the batting isn't the vital problem, I think there are definitely options ready to replace Hayden. In the meantime, and as we go on, back to Christmas.