BUMBLE AT THE TEST
MASTER OF DISGUISE
I’m working for Channel Nine and Sky in this Test, and their commentary boxes are on opposite sides of the ground. So, in the words of Bruce Springsteen, I needed a brilliant disguise and I brought a trilby with me. That gets me down to the River Taff End without people asking for the dreaded selfies — or at least it did until eagle-eyed Sportsmail photographer Kevin Quigley saw me!
PITIFUL PACE OFFERING NG
I’m intrigued by this pitch. I went to the ground the day before the Test and saw the groundstaff on their knees with brushes! Then the surface was cut again. Someone did not want pace! But who? The groundsman? Glamorgan? England? The thing is, Mitchell Starc (above) and Mitchell Johnson get their pace through the air, and England’s batsmen are better with pace on the ball!
GET ON WITH IT!
Lots of pomp and circumstance before the game, which was fine, but it delayed the start by 15 minutes! Once there had been a shower, Glamorgan should have binned the fireworks and got on with the Test on time. Alastair Cook would have wanted to get batting — not wait while we had anthems, flags and soldiers.
STAY POSITIVE, JOE
What a contrast between Gary Ballance and Joe Root, but what a valuable partnership from the depths of 43 for three. Ballance had to dig in but showed immense concentration, while at the other end was a free-flowing Root. We were promised an attacking England and Root kept the run-rate healthy, ensuring his side wouldn’t be vulnerable when Australia took the second new ball.
GLADIATOR BEN
Much was made about sledging before this series but the first volley — from Johnson to Ballance at the end of the 11th over — was more of a polite inquiry. There was scope for it hotting up once Ben Stokes (left) arrived and he batted like a gladiator. This boy is going to be some player.
CALL FOR KITCHENER!
What are England going to do about Ian Bell? He likes to use his feet to the spinners at the start of his innings but here he squirted one from Nathan Lyon that could have easily gone to hand. He was out soon after and has four ones and two noughts in his last eight knocks. That’s a worry. There are shades of Lord Kitchener here — your country needs you, Ian.
CLARKE’S SPARK
Fascinating to see Michael Clarke mixing up his bowlers on the first day. Starc struggled for accuracy so he was off after two overs, then the captain (left) got Lyon into the game early with a hard ball. It did the trick against Cook, although the drinks break might have broken his concentration.