Not much to report at the moment really. Last few days have been taken very slowly, allowing one's thoughts to clam down a bit. We watched the first days play in Perth from our hotel - we found the non-smoking bar in the casino, which was of course pretty empty so had great seats right in front of the big screen, next to the bar which served food as well. Probably the most comfortable days cricket I've seen so far!
England bowled brilliantly, especially Monty-Monty-Monty-Monty Panesar (expect every headline to include "Panesar panacea for England"), but more importantly Harmison finally turned up to the party. His speed was regularly up over 90mph at last and the radar was back on track. He was a bit lucky to get Ponting LBW, as hawkeye (and my naked eye) thought is was a bit high. It might have clipped the top of the bails. But the Aussies are never down for long and 2 wickets before the close puts the game right on a knife edge. Unfortunately we will miss almost all the 2nd days play as we will be on a plane to Perth so it could be a nail biter when we get off the plane to find out the score. Of the wickets to fall Cook was the most culpable in that he has been out to the same ball 3 times in a row now - a ball angled across him fairly well wide of off stump. He is stepping too far to the off side with his initial movement and is playing at deliveries that he could easily leave well alone. Hopefully he will realise this & cut it out!