Peter Roebuck: McGrath looks pale shadow as support cast lacks venom

Ponting had at his disposal a great leg-spinner, an ageing seamer who has lost his sting and two wholehearted but unreliable pacemen. His team have been on tour for months and must be weary. Support was needed so Australia could keep pressing. Instead, the visitors relied on their customary four-pronged attack. As usual, the new-ball bowlers were ineffective.

And, as usual, Shane Warne did his utmost to turn back the unthinkable tide. Five times in the series he has taken the first wicket of the innings. Once again he held the touring team together. It has been a towering performance that has papered over the cracks.

Ever since McGrath sprained his ankle, Warne has stood between England and comprehensive victory. Thrown the ball for the 14th over yesterday, with the score already racing along, he set about working his way through the order with a characteristic cleverness and craftsmanship. Before long he had taken four wickets, not bad for a leg-spinner in the early hours of a Test match. Given proper support, the breach might have been decisive. Instead, England rallied as Andrew Strauss contributed a disciplined innings and some bloke called Flintoff batted with aplomb.

Warne must have been frustrated that so much depended upon his sore shoulder and spinning finger. His first spell lasted 18 overs and he was never quite the same again. Although he has a short run, he puts a lot of energy on the ball and concentrates hard. At full strength his deliveries leap off the pitch like electrocuted salmon. At half-power his offerings plod through as slowly as a prop forward on the second lap. In short, he needs a break almost as much as the next man. Instead, he bowled until the tank was almost empty. By tea he was as red as the Mayor of London.

By stumps the only parts of his anatomy still working were his head and his heart. He did not taken a wicket between 1.36pm and 5.23pm. Not that he ever gave up. Shortly before stumps he claimed the fifth wicket that his work deserved. But he has to do it all again in the second innings and after such a heavy workload that may not be easy. Had a fifth bowler or an all-rounder been chosen, Warne could be given a "smoko" without unduly weakening the attack. He could even have followed contemporary fashion by taking a break in the rooms - not that the England wicketkeeper has ever needed one.

Warne has bowled magnificently this series and with support can last several more years. Both the game and the Australian team will be poorer without him. He also deserves to be given more responsibility. Two things are clear from this series. In some conditions Australia need a better balanced side. Also this popular touring side play their best cricket when Warne is most closely involved. Manifestly, the selectors must acknowledge his importance by naming him as their vice-captain.

Ball of the day

* Shane Warne deceived his close friend Kevin Pietersen with a slower leg-break. Warne bowled it from wide on the crease and Pietersen was through the shot early. It knocked back his off-stump.

Best moment

* Andrew Flintoff had hit Shane Warne for three straight fours, but rather than a quick ball a tempting slower ball followed. Flintoff blocked and both players smiled: they had read each other's minds.

Shot of day

* Marcus Trescothick loves batting at the Oval and an on-drive off Glenn McGrath showed why. He did little more than push the ball back down the pitch yet it raced for four.