Talking point

Australia captain Michael Clarke was frank in the post match ceremony when asked to rate his performance using the DRS system.

Australia captain Michael Clarke was frank in the post match ceremony when asked to rate his performance using the DRS system. Im not happy with my use,as I havent got many right. England have used it better than I have, he said. While Cook was selective about using his reviews he didnt review once in Australias first innings and on most occasions in the second innings chose not to challenge the umpires on-field decision Clarkes strategy seemed to be that he wasnt going to die wondering.

Cook reviewed just twice in the match and got both referrals right while Clarke got just one out of three reviews correct.

In a match where the umpires made a few glaring errors,the difference in the two strategies had a significant impact on the result. The Australians haste meant that when he was absolutely sure of a dismissal Stuart Broads thick edge to slip at 37,which was not picked up by Aleem Dar he had no option of going to the third umpire. And Cooks thriftiness meant that with Australia just 15 runs away from a win,he could refer Dars initial not-out decision of a Brad Haddin inside edge and get the decision overturned.

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Cook made his first use of DRS in the match nearly 62 overs into Australias second innings chase of 311. He got his first referral decision spot on after 61.5 overs when he had Phil Hughes given lbw against Graeme Swann. Cook would wait another 49 overs with Australia just 15 runs from victory before his next and ultimately final review. Having already added 65 runs for the last wicket with James Pattinson,Brad Haddin,on 71,looked good for the first four balls of Andersons 32nd over. Haddin drove firmly away from his body at the fifth ball,which was length outside off and a faint sound was heard as it passed the bat,before going low to keeper Matt Prior. Prior celebrated but neither Cook at first slip nor the bowler himself was particularly confident. Nor was Aleem Dar,who gave it not out.

Cook decided to chance his luck. After consulting multiple replays and Hot Spot,which seemed to show a tiny smudge as the ball went past the bat,third umpire Erasmus was convinced. Cook,with both referrals in hand,was the winning captain.