I think most touring sides are stymied to a certain degree by the wickets in Brisbane and Perth to a lesser extent. Many teamas have beaten themselves menatlly before stepping onto the field on day one.
The Gabba is firstly a new ball deck and then a spinners deck later in the match, always has been and the kiwis showed scant respect for that on day one when most of them threw thier wickets away chasing rubbish dleiverys. They are still not out of this one but they need to show some more patience with thier top order batting in the 2nd dig, I think ther kiwi bowlers are doing a good job with the resources they have.
Test cricket is a patience game not a longer version of 20/20.
Ponting is looking very good at the crease, some of his cover drives were vintage punter and his feet seem to be moving quicker.He is stil falling over a touch on the push forward but he is looking the goods, I tip a punter 100 and clarke to fall early.
I think we will prob have a lead of between 50- 100 runs.
Nathan Lyon will be man of the match for mine, I think he will grab another 3 or 4 poles in the 2nd dig.