Oh really? And they didn’t review. I am behind the wicket at the Justin Langer end but at about a 30deg angle.

Everything about Warner seems quick at the moment. His reflexes, calling, running between the wicket.

Like the look of de Groundhomme as the stock bowler. 

Easy, economical action off a few paces, little bit of wobble and the batsmen have to play most of his balls at 120kph. 

I’m not sure if the Fremantle Doctor comes into this new ground? If it does this bloke looks like he is going to bowl plenty of overs into it. 

Would have been lovely to see Boult exploit the early swing that is here with the pinkie.

Nevermind.

Ferg neeeds to stop over pitching, and just length or short rubbish at pace. This half volley nonsense makes no sense unless he wants to do it across the batsman wider. But then a wise batsman would just leave it.

Pitch is slow on day 1 I notice - 125km balls from Colin going past the batsman at 97km. Unfortunately NZ is not exploiting this bar CdG. Batting will only improve as the pitch quickens up and dries out.

Well  I never! 

Baggers identified Decentric and a whole bunch of other members at Bellerive sitting in the members stand behind the wicket after he visited Tas and met up with them. 

You next, Thingy Bob! 

Yes, the doctor is in.

Lol I doubt you will spot me, I’m hiding in the shade with thousands of others... :D

Santner gives the Kiwis a five pronged attack. He drifts a few of his left arm finger spinners quite nicely. I like five bowlers in hot conditions. We only have four bowlers. 

Australia 1-73. 

Spectacular caught and bowled by Wagner and Warner is walking. Labuschagne and Smith at the crease and this is what I have paid my money for. :)

Since the lunch break I’ve been sitting in members reserve behind the NZ dug out. Got a great close up pic of their team huddle before they went on the field - wish I could post! 

I wonder if this Test should have started later to ensure more pink ball cricket under lights? 

The bowlers claim the pink ball is hard work in daylight. 

Labu has been a revelation since he was selected in England. 

Smith may be struggling by his own lofty standards. 

Amazing caught and bowled by Wagner! 

Aus 2-178 is decent, apart from Smith’s slow scoring rate of 30 balls per 100. 

Shame you can't post it here, TB.

One of the greatest catches I’ve seen for a caught and bowled! 

Lovely copybook on drive for 4 from Marnus. 

Good century again for Labu!

Surprised he lofted Santner for 6.

Something good about this pitch is Santner is extracting significant turn.

Smith out for 43 off over 160 balls. He is out of form. Wagner gets him out to a short ball - which he uses a lot. 

Atmosphere was fantastic when Labu hit that 6. He looks extremely solid. Smith looked a bit nippy. New ball coming in 4 overs. It’s dusk and the lights are on. It’s still 32deg at 7.15pm and there’s a light breeze.  Will we see some swing? There’s a new energy to the NZ team now with Smith’s wicket.

Wade slinks off after losing his bails while shouldering arms. Rarely seen in international cricket. He kept looking up the screen dejectedly hoping to see a replay.

It wasn’t a well judged leave. 

All my TCA mates think the Kiwis are slightly in front!

Still 32 degrees! 

Southee is looking potent with the new pink ball under lights. 

And that new pink ball made a very satisfying thwack sound off Head’s bat

One more wicket and the Kiwis would have been in front. Only 4 down and we are still on top imo. The wicket looked good but not like a real belter. 400 would be a decent score.

It would make a lot of sense to play later in the cool of the evening, from 2pm until 9pm. Or even 3 - 10pm. Like they do in the tennis.  It's not really a true day night when there's only a couple of hours under lights. Some of the most interesting play of the day came right at the end there. While there may be players who might not want to stay up until the wee small hours the trade off would be less hours standing around in the hot sun. Of course there's still everyone in the Eastern states who would kick up a stink about the time difference... :D

as someone in a different timezone I'm glad its earlier!

This is your first post for the game, Grazor.

There is a lot of debate about day/night Tests here because of the unique qualities of the pink ball, but I think the crowd increased last night in the  last session.

Thingy Bob?

It was pretty slow scoring.