Australia v Pakistan 2023-24: First Test – Day 1: Warner answers critics in Perth

DAY 1 Perth 14/12/23

The big question being asked on day one in Perth is jusy how many people will be in attendance. More importntly how many will there be on The West Test Hill?

 

Both are vital questions if we are to see the continuation of the great game for Sandgropers.

 

Well, I can tell you that at the start of the game there were about 40 people on the now ‘famous’ (?) West Test Hill. I am not sure of the cost but it would run into thousands per person. A good investment?  I think not.

 

As expected , and you might say it is getting boring, but there are no surprises in the Australian line-up. Today, social media is so far in front of our speculations that there is little interest in the selection of teams. Oh for some fresh ‘young’ faces. Where are they going to come from is the big question in this respect.

 

I was probably more interested in the fact that an indigenous footballer by the name of Jimmy Melbourne was the first of his race to play league football. This was in 1900, five years before Joe Johnson plied his trade in the VFL. In all Melbourne played 43 games for 3 clubs in the WAFL. I picked up these facts walking through the corridor in the media centre which has a wonderful historical display of football and cricket photographs and essays.

 

Afridi and Shahzad were lively at the start with the lithe Shahzad the more impressive. He attacked the battters  and always gave one the impression that every ball was a wicket. Afridi was more inclined to try and bounce his opponents and in particular Warner who took a while to get settled.

 

Once settled he started to flay the attack and the 50 came up in 9.5 overs.  The two Pakistani bowlers had thrown everything at their initial foray.

 

It will be a long day for the visitors. Made even longer when Abdullah dropped a relatively simple catch from Khawaja. Catching has long been the achilles heel of Pakistani cricket and they really have never mastered it. Even more telling is that they usually drop their bundle (pardon the phrase) when this happens.

 

The yin and yan of Australian cricket have been formidable since they have been together at the top. Like Jeckyl and Hyde they seem to know when to be the right one (two?). Another century partnership has been completed with little fuss and bother from Uzzie while the James Cagney of cricket continues to thumb his nose at everybody.

 

My highlight of the morning’s play has been the making of a Christmas tree made out of buckets by kids not that interested in the play and not an ipad or mobile phone in sight.

 

Australia well on top.

 

Shaheen Afridi threw himself into his work after lunch and it was a great battle between him and the batters with neither giving an inch. His hard work rewarded him when he had Khawaja caught behind after the latter had been frustrated. A fine short three-rounder ended.

 

Decided to experience the West Test Hill for myself instead of viewing it from a distance.  Spent half an hour therein what I could only call a kinder or should I say Teenergarten.  90% of attendees would not have reached the age to take out NRMA Insurance.  Not sure you would call it a success.

 

Meanwhile the Australian bulldog reached another century and I don’t recall anything like a chance during the innings after his slow start to the day. A fine knock from the very much maligned New South Welshman.

 

A second palpable missed catch at long-on further exposed the visitors inability to take simple catches. I would suggest that they watch the video of the Australian World Cup semi final against South Africa where they caught everything and saved a myriad of runs in the field.  The catcher, in both cases, did not even get their hands to the ball. At the tea break they had ball catching practice!!!

 

Australia continue to grind their opponents into the turf but are pplaying circumspect cricket with nothing rash in their play. The motive, I am sure, is to build a big first innings total to not have to bat a second time. No sooner said than Smith flashes at Shahzad and the ever reliable Sarfaraz dives to complete the tryst.

 

My previous observances of Afridi has been one of indifference with his temperament to match. Today I have admired his resilience as he has thrown himself into his work and kept it up throughout the match.  Half way through the final session he has bowled 16 overs and still has the ability to keep the batters on their toes.

 

The New Age Head (TNAH) continues on with his pyro-technics and clouts anything lose.  TNAH has been the glue behind the team for the last 2 years and is certainly not a lose cannon. On drive through mid-off is probably the shot of the day, a cross-bat drive that has come to epitomised his play as he moved to the head of the list.

 

Meanwhile at the other end Warner continues his dominance of the bowlers who try everything possible to dislodge him but he prevails to add more salt into the pens of his critics.  He also seems to spend a lot of his time during this innings talking to the opposition and the umpires and I am pretty sure it is not all friendly.

 

TNAH goes when he miss hits an attempted square drive, an entertaining 40.

 

At last the locals have something to cheer about. I mean the diehard Sandgropers who have waited all day for ‘one of them to appear’ the much, much maligned Mitchell Marsh.  He doesn’t let them down and beautfully off drives the first ball for four. Oh! what a feeling for the crowd of around eight thousand.

 

‘Warner’s out!”!   Sounds Bradmanesque but a tired Dayveee hits Aamil for a wonderful six and then tries it 2 balls later only to be caught at deep square. His 164 contained 16 fours and 4 sixes.

 

The visitors have fought back well after it looked like a huge score for the Australians and despite the runs coming freely five wickets have been taken by the bowlers.

 

A good day’s play with Australia on top but there is still a lot of cricket in this match as the wicket did nothing to suggest that it will deteriorate in the days ahead.

 

 

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