Australia 303/3 (90.0 overs)
Finally Australian fans had something to cheer about with an stellar batting display led by Michael Clarke. Australia's captain scored an unbeaten 125*, while Steven Smith is unbeaten on 70. This all came on the back off an impressive innings by Chris Rogers who ensured Australia got off to a brisk start. He was in fine touch with some fine drives featuring heavily amongst his strokeplay. He brought up his fifty off only 49 balls in an over from Anderson which included three boundaries. On the other hand, Shane Watson was playing second fiddle and was clawing along until being caught behind for 19, yet another start. Mind you, I don't actually mind the way Watson was playing. Opening in test cricket is a partnership and as long as the team score is ticking along, it doesn't matter who is scoring the runs.
Then came controversy (can't we just have a day without any!) when Usman Khawaja was given out caught behind off Swann by Tony Hill, who was umpiring his first match of the series. Even live it certainly didn't seem out as you could tell the noise didn't match up with the bat passing the ball. The video confirmed this with Hot Spot showing nothing, and the sound coming from when the bat hit the pad. Even just a basic slow motion replay should have been enough for Dharmasena to overturn the decision as you could easily see the gap between bat and ball.
Image courtesy of screengrabs from Sky Sports
Published on the Guardian website
Amazingly the decision remained and Khawaja had to go. People may criticise the DRS, but even without it the decision was out. The problem we have is the people using the technology are incapable. I think there is a lot of merit in the idea of professional full-time third umpires. Whether the ICC are willing to explore this is yet to be seen.
Steve Smith came in and joined Clarke at the crease and things were going along nicely for the away side, although Smith survived a close lbw referral which was given umpire's call. England had used up there referrals, and for once it came back to bite them (and not Australia) as Smith was given not out on 24. HawkEye confirmed that Smith should have been out, and for once an umpiring decision went Australia's way.
Clarke and Smith saw the day out and will be looking to continue on Day 2. For England their two main pace bowlers went wicketless, as it was Tim Bresnan who picked up the wicket of Watson. Swann got the other two, albeit including the shocker of a decision for Khawaja.
Hero of the Day: Michael Clarke
We all knew at the start of the series that if Australia was to post a big score, then Michael Clarke would need to score a century. Unfortunately for Australia, it just took until the third test to happen.
Villain of the Day: Kumar Dharamasena
Unfortunately it's becoming an all too common theme for an umpire to feature as "Villain of the Day." The outrage over this decision is because it was made with the use of technology. At least if it was an on-field howler, then some degree of forgiveness can be made but when everyone in the ground knew Khawaja didn't hit it, you know a mistake was made. Plus it was such a bad decision, Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd tweeted that it was the "one of the worst umpiring decisions" he had ever seen.
Who won the day? For the first time Australia had a convincing win. There is still more to do though to get close to winning the test, but it is certainly a good start. You would think Australia will want to put on at least another 150-200 runs.
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