Oval Test, Day 1, Lunch
Thursday, August 23, 2001

I suppose the first surprise of the day was that Steve Waugh was out there doing the toss. I think he's just about fit to play, and he was certainly keen to have one more Test in England. There was probably a bit of a message there too for England, who seem to have had trouble getting people onto the pitch this summer.

Steve will have been delighted to win the toss. This is certainly a pitch where you want to get in and score your runs in the first innings. The ball's coming on to the bat well at the moment, but you can tie people down if you bowl properly. There's a bit of tennis-ball bounce at times, too. It looks as if the pitch is dry, and might well dust up a bit later on – I think we'll see the ball going through the top later which will make the pace inconsistent.

Australia's openers have done well, although Matthew Hayden has had a lot of luck. He might have been run out and he might have been caught – and there was an lbw which I looked at a dozen times and couldn't think of any reason why it wasn't given. That was definitely a mistake by the umpire.

Justin Langer has looked solid – a typical Lang innings really. It was a surprise that he was chosen to open instead of Michael Slater. It must have been a very close call, because their tour records are very similar. The choice was made just as much on off-field factors – the Australians admitted as much yesterday.

James Ormond made a handy start. He swings the ball at pace – he was up to 84mph this morning – and looks like the sort of patient bowler who could do well on this pitch. Apparently he can also bowl fastish cutters, which could come in useful here too. He was impressive against the Australians on our last tour, when he took six wickets for Leicestershire. And yes, he did get me out!

Ian Healy made a record 395 dismissals in 119 Tests for Australia, and was on the winning side in the last six Ashes series. His comments will appear on Wisden.com at the end of every session of the Oval Test too. He was talking to Steven Lynch.

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