first test first session

Australia take the gamble on 3 real bowlers, and the big bear gets his first test cap.

Ponting bats.

Starts off well for India, after 3 balls Hayden seems to miss the ball and hit his pad.

Everything about it looks out, except the gap between bat and ball.

The Broadcast opened up with Sunil and AB, it’s a nice touch, but lets be honest, neither are particualry good orators, and it feels a little flat.

Although at least Mark Nicholas didn’t start, that is something,

Khan looked good early on, although, other than Hayden, didn’t really look that close to taking a wicket.

Sharma had two good LB appeals, one was nicked, and the other hit the top of the knee roll after Ponting left it, wasn’t out, but was good enough to scare Punter.

The Adam apple is enjoying the humidity, and is getting good inswing, still Ponting gets past 12, which is something.

Ponting has let the Krab Katich face much, protecting the tail already?

For all the hype and bluster about this series, Ponting hits a four and the cameras catch a whole lot of empty seats.

Bhaji comes on and the Krab gloves one towards Gotham City Gambhir, but it falls short.

The bowling has been a lot better to Ponting than the Krab, they seem to give him a lot of singles, and he is getting off strike quite easily, and he is the sort of batsman you need to work over.

The Krab is now protecting the tail and wont let Ponting face Bhaji.

The question is, who is protecting me from Brandan Julian?

Finally Ponting faces Bhaji and he dishes up a quick shit one on leg stump that goes to the fence.

Both Kumble and Bhaji are bowling quick, quicker than Scott Styris.

Either the pitch is going flat on us, or the spinners aren’t looking threatening, haven’t decided yet.

Katich took on Sehwag for 2, and was about a foot past the stumps but Rauf still referred it. New record perhaps?

1/75 at lunch.

After that start India would be disappointed.

Sharma was the pick of the bowlers.

Ponting looks set.

And the pitch looks flat.

Great first hour, bit of a slow second hour.

Seemed quite calm on the surface, but then again Hayden went out early.www.cricketwithballs.com... Aussie Haiku straight to your box