Miracles may happen. Michael Clarke batted beautifully yesterday afternoon and Brad Haddin did the right thing by playing his own way. A few England players would have slept nervously last night. But odds still favour a home win and whatever happens today, Australia have to look at their bowling, in particular, before the next game at Edgbaston.

They would have turned up disappointed at not getting the last wicket at Cardiff in the first Test, but also knowing they were coming to a place, Lord’s, that has been a fortress for them. I can understand why the first-timers were tense for the initial stages because it is an amazing place to play cricket. Those nerves should have disappeared quickly.

England needed to improve and they have done it dramatically. The fact is that they have outplayed Australia by a considerable margin, which is a worrying sign. Australia need the time before Edgbaston to regroup, while England must be wishing they can go straight into the game — though Kevin Pietersen and Freddie Flintoff could use a break.

The big difference has been the new-ball bowling and opening batsmen. Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook gave England a great start on Thursday by being aggressive. They set the tone for the game. Simon Katich and Phillip Hughes were not given the same opportunities against better bowling from James Anderson and Flintoff.

I thought that Ben Hilfenhaus did a really good job, but the form of Mitchell Johnson has been a big talking point, and I can understand why for people in England watching him for the first time. Believe me, he is a far better bowler than he has shown over the first two Tests, but he needs to get his form back between now and Edgbaston on Thursday week. He has always had a slingy action, so I don’t think the low arm is the big problem. The difficulty is his wrist position. Unfortunately there is also a mental issue. He needs to get his confidence back and, just as important, Ricky Ponting needs to regain confidence in the bloke who was his top bowler before the series began.

For that reason, Johnson has to play in the practice game against Northamptonshire this week. I don’t think England targeted him deliberately before Cardiff, but since he started to struggle and his confidence dropped, they have looked for scoring opportunities early in his spells. They have played him really well.

I feel disappointed for him, and we have all had periods where things don’t go our way. He is probably thinking “why me?” — why are legbefore appeals not being given, why are edges falling short and so on. You just have to get out of that cycle. I expect a big comeback, but will reserve judgment on the make-up of the team until after the three days in Northampton.

Ponting will not know his best XI at the moment. He will spend the next few days talking to the guys, checking their mindset, seeing who is down and who is buoyant, who is putting on a face and who is struggling deep down. He will try to recreate a positive atmosphere around the squad. It won’t be easy at Edgbaston because the crowd always acts as a twelfth man for England. There will also be some bad memories of 2005.

Edgbaston usually spins big time, so winning the toss and batting is crucial. Nathan Hauritz bowled well at Lord’s and showed a lot of courage after dislocating a finger on the first day. Graeme Swann also impressed me after being given his chance to follow the seamers.

Australia will feel aggrieved that they have not had the rub of the green at Lord’s in areas such as the conditions. It has been sunny when England batted and the clouds have come out when they’ve bowled. The umpires have also been inconsistent in using the referral system for low catches. But England have deserved that fortune for the way they have played.

Brett Lee will definitely come into consideration if he can prove he is 100 per cent fit. You can’t rush an injury to what we call the “grunt” muscle — that part of the side the bowlers stretch in delivery. But as long as Shane Watson proves his fitness, I would definitely find a place for the all-rounder. They need the option of a fifth bowler.

If England go on to win today, I seriously think Australia are in trouble in the series. They need to show why they are the No 1-ranked side in the world, because at the moment they are not playing like it.