All seemed lost for England until a defiant Jack Russell, ably supported by spinner John Emburey set about first blunting, and then when the opportunity arose, attacking the Australian bowlers. It was slow going, and often dourly defensive, but Russell and Emburey weathered the Australian attack, and set about adding to the total when they could. By stumps they had crawled along to 123 for 6, Russell not out on 47 and Emburey on 22. A vital partnership of 64 restoring some credibility to an England team threatening to collapse completely.