Fisher is right, there will be no changes but Siddle for one just doesn’t seem to have it. He is awefully good at hitting the middle of the bat and doesn’t seem like he has any sort of plan at all.

I wouldn’t argue with Katich at 3 and Ponting at 5. Or Watson at 3 for that matter.

They just aren’t tough enough – who woulda guessed watto would be among our toughest batsmen? Maybe because he’s fresher and more determined to make his mark. Ponting needs a rocket up him to prize his wicket like he used to.

They do get the chance to bat again this match so let’s see if they learn anything. And if Pakistan are dismissed for less than 300 the match is still open, if heavily in their favour.

This is the weakest Australian side in thirty years – and, yes, I’m including the mid-80s. This is only disguised by the fact that, right now, everyone else is crap as well (Ok, I will admit that this Indian side can bat).

Re: Ponting. He’s a great player with a wonderful record but his ability has been fading for a few years; however he retains supreme confidence in his team’s and his own ability. I’m still for Katich at 3 and Ponting at 5.

Changes? No chance. Failures in India, at home to SA and in England weren’t sufficient.

I never thought I’d say this, but Watson as opener looks like the rock at the top of our order. He batted well and was unlucky to receive a cracker.

Hughes looked completely out of his depth and was lucky to get to 0. I’ve said all along – he might be a good future project but FFS pick the best now. I’d have gone with Jaques. The selectors were covering their backsides and getting the public back on side after dumping Hughes mid-Ashes. Hughes’ technique has more holes in it than a soccer net.

Ponting had two early brain explosions. If tyou’re not going to bowl on that wicket, you never will. So bowling first backfired once. So did enforcing the follow-on (Laxman). That doesn’t mean you never, ever, try it again. And what the hell was that shot he played?

If this collapse meant some much needed changes would be made, I wouldn’t mind so much. But it won’t – the team will continue on its bumpy path, winning enough (on natural skill and a tough local comp) to keep Ponting, Neilsen and Hilditch’s jobs safe. Why must it take adverse failure for people to see the need for change?

By the way – conditions in Sydney this morning – overcast, sun threatening to poke through, starting to steam up.

Tactical dunces.

But then the brain’s trust has just the one tactic: put runs on the board and exert scoreboard pressure through patience and deep-set fields. No flexibility.

Alot of Australian batsmen threw their wickets aways, but one of the best first days of test cricket that I have seen in a long time.

By the way, I think Saturday (the third day) is usually regarded as “moving day” Vinay.

As to what happens today – what’s the weather like in Sydney? If it’s fine and clear it could be a reprise of the NZ test in Brisbane in the 80′s when Richard Hadlee took his 9 for – a slow and interrupted first day, then very humid and overcast day two and Hadlee was utterly unplayable; sunny and clear the rest of the test and Martin Crowe hits 180 to earn a big lead and a big win.