Eve of the first Test

How good is anticipating the first Test of the season? Remember when Michael Slater stroked the first ball of the Ashes series at the Gabba to the boundary. Then when many years later Harmison bowled the first ball wide to second slip. All the expectation of a good series - this time for top of the table. Again we have the ridiculous Australian sporting media building the Australians up as if they are the invincibles - when they are a team yet to prove themselves. Cowan and Warner are yet to cement their spots - especially Cowan who is under real pressure to make a big score in the first innings of this Test. Having the right temperament isn't enough - he needs the right runs - three figures with a least a 1 at the beginning. Quiney is a ready made replacement - especially if Mr Injury (a team mate of Mr Cricket) returns some time this summer. Clarke has a chance to prove his captaincy against real opposition - in Australia. What a pity its only three Tests and in the Spring. Many of the Australian public don't accept Clarke as a legitimate captain - as if he was one of the faceless men who toppled the loved national leader. He's a very good bat - and an innovative captain. More power to him. Its some years now since I called for an out of form Hussey to be axed. I renew that call tonight. He has been in much better form since but his dotage blights the prospect of a long career for a younger player. Ponting will face a real test after his regeneration last year. I have my doubts but would be very pleased to see him flourish. Pattinson if he stays fit should do well but he faces the difficult second album phase. Starc looks in good form to me and two years ago Siddle took a magnificent hat-trick on day one of the series. He's honest but could struggle against class bats in form and "in" on the wicket. I think Lyon will keep the best bricklayer playing cricket out of the game. I am looking forward to seeing Smith niggle the super confident Australians and would love to see Amla grind out a triple ton in Australia. And how good will it be to see their fast bowlers. Amazingly we will be playing them on some fast wickets - somebody got something wrong in the scheduling department. It doesn't get much better than looking forward. Sometimes the reality is a lot less satisfying! One thing we can rely on is the appalling commentary - ridiculous aggressive loving stuff on channel 9 and faux nostalgia and "the spirit of the game" on the Home of cricket ABC who still don't broadcast all tests when we play offshore. Like anticipation - some things don't change.