John, I think if it came to the push, Ponting could even declare with scores level. He could lose the game doing that, though I think England would be content to bat it out if they could, but he's got to try to create a win from somewhere.

My best guess as to his plan (which of course could change with early wickets lost) would be to continue steadily as they have done until lunch and then taking chances in an effort to get some quicker runs (presumably with Vaughan by then setting some very defensive fields).

It is like chess, isn't it?