First day match report

You might have to register to read Peter Roebuck's columns, but it costs you nothing and the Sydney Morning Herald won't even send you any advertising. In addition, his analysis of the game is superb.

250/7 is not a horrendous score. But it is not a match-winning score either. You really need 400+ on that wicket to give yourself a chance and the Aussies are now likely to get the best of the batting conditions. Their plan will be to roll us early, to bat once and then to roll us again on a worsening pitch. Our plan is even more simple, we should occupy the crease for as long as possible, restrict the Aussies first innings score and force them to chase a decent total in the second.