There could not have been more drama to such a highly anticipated series. With so much at stake, neither team could afford a step backwards. Yet Australia’s life was not made easy by the opener, one of three debuts, and could have been made harder still had Smith held onto Ponting’s catch. With hint of rain in the air on the first day of the first Test in Johannesburg, it was expected that the bowlers would have the best chance of exploiting the conditions in the first session of the first Test. However, Australia predictability preferred the cushion of runs under their belt and decided to bat. Phillip Hughes, the debutant opener who has been blooded in after the retirement of Matthew Hayden, spoke highly of Australia’s domestic cricket that would have prepared him to face the best. However, Hughes left a few dropped jaws with the manner he which he tried a non existent shot to a bouncer from Dale Steyn, only to under edge to Mark Boucher behind the stumps. The choice of opener would have no doubt been opened up for scrutiny after that rash decision as also the stark fact that there would be no big opening partnership to help Australia out. Steyn returned again for another deadly wicket. This time it was Simon Katich, the experienced hand aiding skipper Ponting. However, a splendid single handed catch, diving to his right in the gully by Neil McKenzie sent him on his way. At 2 for eighteen, Australia were hardly making a case for themselves. Michael Hussey stuck around for twenty-one to score just four runs, as the South Africans bowlers and Steyn in particular kept probing and disconcerting the Australian batsmen, often beating them as the ball went past fruitlessly. Predictably too, Hussey’s misery was brought to an end with Jacques Kallis taking a good, clean catch in the slips off Morne Morkel. Australia were now staring down the barrel at thirty-eight for three in just fifteen overs in to the Test. Earlier in the day, Australia announced three debutants, again not a surprise, as Hughes was joined by Ben Hilfenhaus, Marcus North to add to the little experience of Andrew MacDonald, In the dying moments before tea, Australia had little respect. The Australian skipper took a blow on his arm, survived what should have been a straightforward catch to Graeme Smith in the slips and went onto smash the next ball for six almost in defiance. But despite the fact that the Australian skipper and his deputy Michael Clarke are at the crease, only if Ponting can make his counterpart pay for his mistake, can Australia hope to really put on a fight to salvage their pride, which has appeared on thin ice on this rather gloomy morning.

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