Jacques and Murali steal the limelight on the first day

Elmo Rodrigopulle

The first Test century from left hander Phil Jacques and Muttiah Muralitharan capturing two wickets to take his tally to 703 were the highlights on the first day of the First Test between Sri Lanka and Australia which began at the Gabba,here today.

The Australians who were given a gift by asking to bat first had lost 3 wickets for 242 at the close with Michael Hussey 25 not out and Michael Clarke 5 not out. Muralitharan returned figures of 2 for 67 in 23 overs with three maidens and Vaas had 1 for 44.

However Jacques”s innings was not without blemish. He was dropped twice, first by Mahela Jayawardena at first slip and later by Thilan Samaraweera at second slip. The unfortunate bowler being the always trying Muralitharan. Muralitharan is looking to go past Shane Warne”s Test wicket taking record on this tour.

While the bowlers toiled on an unresponsive wicket,the close in fielders let them down by dropping two vital catches. We need not tell the Lankans that catches win matches. At this level of cricket dropped catches are unacceptable.

When it rained overnight and early this morning,it looked as though the first day’s play would be curtailed. But amazingly with about an hour before the scheduled start the sun came out much to the delight of everyone and the Test started about 15 minutes late. However it was nice to see spectators queueing up for entrance although rain clouds were hovering around.

It came as a surprise to note that the Lankans had dropped slinger Lasith Malinga and tossed in Thilan Samaraweera and it was an even bigger surprise when Jayawardena won the all important toss and asked the Aussies in. The Gabba wicket is known to favour batsmen.

Probably Jayawardena”s decisions would have been prompted by the facts that it had been raining and with the wicket being covered there would be more than ordinary life in the wicket and would help seam and swing and to also not front up his batsmen to the menacing Aussie pacemen on a green top.

But it was apparent that the wicket had no life and bounce and even the envisaged seam and swing was lacking as openers Phil Jacques and Matthew Hayden had no apparent difficulty in negotiating the Lanka pacemen Chaminda Vaas, Farveez Mahroof and Dilhara Fernando who found no assistance from the wicket.

Play started and after one over the rains came and after a short delay play restarted and thankfully continued without any further stoppages.

Jacques made a painfully slow start and that could be understandable because he was making a comeback after an absence and was determined to consolidate and not let the opportunity slip. Hayden on the other looked more aggressive and began to unleash the strokes he is famous for.

The openers signaled the 50 stand without any hiccups and when the stand looked like gathering momentum Hayden went for a lofted drive,played too early and Muralitharan running from mid off to extra cover took a brilliant catch. The bowler was Chaminda Vaas. It was the fault of the batsman. The score was 69 and the batsman had made 43 with 5 fours.

The wicket continued to play easy with skipper Ponting joining Jacques.With the arrival of his skipper Jacques began to grow in confidence and scoring strokes began to flow from his bat. His drives were well timed on either side of the wicket.

Jayawardena switched his bowlers intelligently during the second wicket stand of 114 between Jacques and Ponting and it was Muralitharan who was worrying the batsmen who lured Ponting to his demise. Muralitharan delivered a well disguised doosra that foxed and drew the batsman out of his crease for Prasanna Jayawardena to bring off an excellent stumping. Ponting had compiled a well played 56 with 7 fours. He was out at 183.

Jacques the third man out for 100 had 14 fours and did he not celebrate on reaching his maiden test 100.