What a fan-****ing-tastic day's test cricket. Everything you want from the opening day of a test series - the bowling spearheads ripping through a top order (Ntini equals too-easily overlooked gun - almost caught up with Malcolm Marshall's wicket tally = respect) - a determined, patient and classy rebuilding effort by two classy batsmen, another momentum change, a spirited counter-attack from some shot makers, before the tail enders throw the bat a bit and have some laughs. Oh, and Australia scoring nearly 350 in a day's play.
As the saying goes, we won't know what a good score is on this pitch until both teams have had a go, but its fair to say that the conditions probably won't be as good for bowling tomorrow morning as they were today, and you'd suspect the Aussies have slighty underachieved, in one sense. On the other hand, 300+ from 3/15 is an awesome effort, and one you'd take if you were told Hayden would go for 12 and Ponting and Hussey for a duck. The Saffies looked close to losing the plot a couple of times through the day, but they stuck at it - they look to be a very good team, with players that believe in themselves and know their job. Should be a cracking season.
Steyn turned out to be merely a very good strike bowler with plenty of obvious assets, rather than the second coming of Barnes/Marshall/Lillee rolled into one, but he's going to be a consistent threat this series. Wrapped with how well Ntini bowled - always liked the guy and when he's on its fantastic to watch.
Also wrapped that Katich was so gun, and with Clarke's effort, til he lost his head against Harris. Good to see Haddin keep up his momentum, and Symonds do something to repay the massive faith shown in him.
Here's hoping Lee, Johnson, Siddle and Krejza can do the job tomorrow - the loss of Prince pre-match may yet be a pivotal blow in this match.
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