Day 1

13.45, IST
Gosh what a buzz when Michael Clarke comes out. More so for the commentators and me than the stadium, but he is undoubtedly one of the most exciting young faces of cricket. Will be a shock if he does not succeed at this highest level. I almost want him to do well. Kumble is one shy of 400, and Pathan showed tremendous spirit…and skill.

13:15, IST
LS (Laxman Sivaramakrishnan) is not able to remember his player number for Dean Jones. It is surprising for Deano that a player does not know what number Test player he has been for his country.
This comes from a short recap of Michael Clarke receiving his baggy green from Shane Warne earlier in the morning. It has always fascinated me, how much of tradition and emotion is attached to the baggy green, and how important tradition is for them. It is a great way of thinking, and I often miss it in Indian cricket.

11.55am, IST
Its been an engrossing first session, but Krish Srikkanth insists on taking entertainment honours in the mid session show, Fourth Umpire. After gems too many to recount, he finally finishes by insisting that athleticism is not needed in tests.
“Er, what? What about fielding, catching etc…”, ask Atul Wasan and Charu Sharma.
“I’m not saying you don’t need to catch, I am just saying in Tests you don’t need to be athletic, it is not important.”
Wow, chikka.
Unbelievably, the show is called 'Fair and Lovely Fourth Umpire'.