Bryan, The coach has instilled a belief in his team. The personnel hasn't changed, just their attitude, and that has to be down the the bloke that coaches them.

Rubbish. It's as though you'd been in the sheds after the game. Not. I note you didn't make the same comment after the RLWC win by the Aussies. When Aussies lose, they are harder on themselves, and look for ways to improve. There was a lot of introspection after a series of Ashes losses, lots of fiddling around the edges, but eventually they went back to basics, and it looks (only looks) at this stage that it might be working. Time will tell.

I'm not sure you're right Theno. Some of the games (both cricket and football) that I've enjoyed have between nations that I've no particular favour for. The Bundeslige teams , when they are on the tv are usually a must for me. Love the way they play the game.

We are witnessing the second coming of Mitchell Johnson. Several years ago, he ripped through the Saffers with a similar ferocity as today. It was then decided he had to change his action to allow for "reverse swing". Remember that ashes tour of England? A complete disaster for him. It has taken until this year for him to regain his action and confidence. No one will want to change anything about him again. He'll have his off games, but no one will take him for granted again.

Funny that, Baz. I saw it the other way around. A lost opportunity for the Aussies. With the construction work going on, it has made the ground smaller, consequently it will (should) be easier to score. Let's see what happens when England bat.

This statement is so far from the truth, it hardly bears commenting on. Al, get to know me before you make such outlandish comments.

The announcer in Alice was doing it to all the players, he was doing a "Peter Sellars', stop being so precious. I note that none of you have mentioned "The Burnley Lara's" comments to the Beeb. He admits to doing as bad or worse. Go over there have a look, comprehend, come back and comment. One test in and you're all wetting yourselves. I'll wait until the final test before I get upset/overjoyed.

One's a Kiwi, and the poms plagerised them both.

No, SAR, the spat between The Kat and Clarke is a little bit closer than that. I've never really taken to Clarke, never thought that he was captain material, but, he's been winning me over lately, with his aggressive tactics (not of the latest controversy type) in trying get a result, declarations etc.

Are you suggesting I should be hanged for "Treason"? hardly unsubstantiated, it was quoted by Warne on his twitter account (@warne888) that he had heard it via the stump mikes whilst he was in the Channel 9 box. Also, it's been widely reported here. If he was lying , I'm sure "the Burnley Lara" will sue him.

indeed, Nate. Seeing Pietersen walk throught he airport with his headphones in saying "I can't hear you" a few times. Why not say "I don't want to comment"? He just looked stupid. edit: Why hasn't the BBC reported the news of "The Burnley Lara's" comment to George Bailey? It's been out for the best part of the day now.

It now turns out that Clarke was responding to a comment that Anderson had said he wanted to punch George Bailey in the face. So it is a two way street, after all. It seems the only thing Clarke did wrong, was get caught out saying what he did. All this on top of Harmison admitting in July this year that they had gone over the top in 2005.

TS, you obviously don't go back far enough for Steve Waugh. The hardest captain I've ever seen. Remember it's not to long ago where the likes of Anderson and Co were giving it large to the Aussies. Remember the bit where Ponting had a cut put on his cheek? Remember thinking about that? I remember Johnson, being given the bird because of his wayward bowling. Swings and roundabout. Chickens coming home to roost and all that.

Problem is. pg, what kind of drop in pitch will it be? It's never been done in SA. Will it be like a MCG drop in? Will it be something entirely different (privately I hope so). I'm just glad the Aussies have got their "mongrel" back. Still that's all behind now, it's to see what happens next.

TS, The preparation the asked for they got. In one game CA asked for certain players out of each State team (which apparently annoyed the crap out of the State coaches) to play against the tourists. Anyway, it's looking pretty ugly for England at the moment. Cook batted well, but had a few heart stoppers before he was brilliantly caught by Haddin. The rest looked very ordinary. Weather looks good for tomorrow.

TS, I would disagree that the England side was under prepared, they had a few four dayers prior to this game. OK, some were interrupted by weather, but the batsmen had some decent hit outs. The bowlers knew they could do the job, and partly did it in the first innings. Where it came unstuck was letting Haddin and Johnson get away, and then thinking that the Aussie bowlers would continue their form from the last English summer. The last series was closer than the end result suggests. Whilst this Test is not over, I say that the England side were ambushed, in that they vastly underrated the Aussie side. I doubt that anyone will think that Johnson is just a trundler any more.

Bryan, the Aussie crowd did the same for Broad, and look what happened. It seems the best advice is to shut up. That afternoon session will have given the Aussies a lot of confidence, along with Clarks captaincy. I have been a big Clark doubter, but today he really showed he knew what captaincy was all about. Today he was heads and shoulders above Cook.

There's a 90% chance of rain tomorrow. anyway, check out www.bom.gov.au and follow the links to Brisbane. You can also follow the rain across the area. Great day for the Aussies, Johnson was awesome. Some ordinary captaincy from Cook late on.

Neekoy, in all my days in Australia, I've never understood why they have the first test in Brisbane. It's generally wet in November/December. Should put the first Test in Darwin, followed a week later by Hobart.

Whilst there's been a bit of excitement, it's generally been mediocre. It shows where the game is at, a couple of counties in England, two states in Aus and a manufactured team in NZ.

Simon, I watched a bit of the game. That wicket has to be one of the flattest. It gave nothing for the bowlers. The ball was just sitting up and saying "Hit Me". Having said that, the bowlers are nowhere near selection for a second string Aussie side.

CLB, the Burgess bros are gaining a cult status here. It's (jokingly) said that their mum should sign on as well. Good RL players they are.

It was all the rage back in the late 60s. We used to go (after a lunchtime ale) to a place whose name I can't remember, but it was rather posh. It was somewhere in the (old) town centre.

Norbert, Cricket Australia has so many problems at the moment. There's no "real" leader from a captains point of view. Clark is a good batsman, but his back is suspect, Watson is moody, Haddin is too old. They've lost their way in bringing through young talent, partly because they had such good cricketers, that very few could break into the test team. ( A good example was McGill). I have a feeling England will win, because the pitches in Australia now are totally different from those a few years back. They are very bland, batsmen orientated tracks. As well, England has a more stable, established team. Added to this is the lead up to the tests is better for England in that they will play state teams, giving them a better preparation. So, yes, it will be closer, we'll see some emerging Australian talent, but it will be a season too soon.

The lads got his own thread now.