The after effects of the NYE celebrations are still being felt by certain members of our group. There was no movement by anyone before midday on New Years Day. I spent most of the afternoon sorting out my photos and uploading them to this blog and the online album. Moz eventually surfaced and went for a walk to Bondi beach. Later we both met up with John Shiner (another ex-Nationwide expat), who had sorted out our tickets here, for a curry, which is the Morris tradition on New Years Day. It turned into a bit of a farce, as despite making a booking, the restaurant cancelled it and gave our table to other customers. So we were standing around for ages to wait for a table. They then messed up our order and Tutes didn't get his main course, and various other dishes never showed up either. The food that did arrive was very good though. I think we ended up paying about $15 each (£6) so at least we weren't too out of pocket!

On the the CRICKET! Another damp start to a test, with the start delayed by over an hour. It had rained heavily overnight and the drizzle was enough to stop play. When things got underway England won the toss and batted - a reasonable decision given the conditions vs the obvious problems of batting last at the SCG. Despite another solidish start Strauss and Cook failed to push on and both fell close together, either side of 50 runs. A solid partnership between Bell and Pietersen ensued. Play was pretty slow at times in the afternoon, but they batted through unbeaten til tea. Unfortunately they both got out (to that man McGrath) soon after. Despite an obvious opening Australia didn't seem to really push their advantage and by the close Freddie and Collingwood had moved on to about 240-4. Honours even for day 1, loads to do on day 2.

Our seats were in Barmy Army central. In fact our seats were directly in front of the trumpeter Billy Cooper, and "Jimmy Saville" the cheerleader. So we were involved in all the singing and chanting and general chitchat between the Barmies and the Aussies. Today we are in the same sort of area but higher up in the stand.