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

It was a dominant display by Australia's batsmen. They scored freely – just look at the way Ricky Ponting snuck to fifty without appearing to try hard. Then Mark Waugh did something similar. They batted around Justin Langer, who made a fine century before he was hit on the head. He returned to the ground after a quick visit to hospital and he'll be raring to go again in the morning.

With two Waughs in, Langer to return, Martyn and Gilchrist to come, and the tail to have a bit of a slog, Australia should have no trouble scoring the 180 or so runs they need to pass 500, the sort of total that should put the match out of England's reach. I'd say 400 was a par score on the first innings on this pitch, so 500-plus will be really daunting. All in all it was a good effort on a dull-weather day when the light was never that good.

James Ormond looked fresh and bowled well. He was still swinging the ball at a lively pace at the end of the day. But Gough and Caddick struggled a bit – maybe they are starting a patch of bad form. It can't be overwork, because they have been well-rested between the Tests.

The Australians had clearly decided that Phil Tufnell could be a threat, and that they would get after him. Unusually, he didn't bowl a maiden all day. And it was ominous for England that Tufnell could bowl into the rough on the first day and get some turn – Warnie just loves bowling into rough like that, and he's going to have a big total to bowl at. I don't think the pitch is going to get worse, exactly, but it is going to be tougher to bat on.

England will have to do some damage with the new ball tomorrow if they're going to stay in the game. If they don't they will have to bowl tight – limit the four-balls and make Australia bat for as long as possible to get the score they want.

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 are appearing on Wisden.com at the end of every session of the Oval Test. He was talking to Steven Lynch.

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