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Still confident of winning

The deluge that ended play this afternoon was something I have never seen in Melbourne before. Brisbane maybe, or perhaps Colombo or Kandy, but not here. For a while, it was almost impossible to see across to the other side of the ground, such was the intensity of the storm. Even with the batting of Slater, Gilchrist and Ponting and the bowling of Prasad, the weather has been just about the major story of the Test match so far. We can only hope that the meteorologists' forecasts for more rain are misguided. With better weather and the memory of last season's thrilling Test match, when England won by 12 runs late on day four after the first day was lost completely, still strong, we remain confident we can force a historic sixth straight Test win.

The weather on Day One was so frustrating that it dampened the tension and excitement that always builds in the lead-up to the Boxing Day Test. However, there would be no first-day washout this year, and play began at 2 p.m. with Australia batting after Sachin Tendulkar won the toss. We would have sent the Indians in, had the coin spun our way. Three issues had dominated Aussie media debate in the lead-up to the Test: Shane Warne's assault on Dennis Lillee's Australian Test wicket-taking record, Brett Lee's possible Test debut and Mark Waugh's form. After the toss, Warney's ambitions were put on hold, but for how long? Anil Kumble turned some deliveries quite significantly, which had Shane clicking his fingers in anticipation.

After much deliberation, we decided Brett's claims could be ignored no longer, and with the pitch occasionally showing signs of uneven bounce - more than one ball climbed up near the bat handle - this could prove to be a profitable choice. And after we lost two wickets for just 28, Mark was put under the greatest pressure imaginable. I thought he handled this challenge admirably, batting himself back into reasonable form after a shaky start, with Michael Slater getting our innings back on an even keel. It was a shame that a superb Agarkar off-cutter trapped Mark lbw just when it seemed he was getting into his stride. Had he survived to stumps, I think he would have enjoyed the batting conditions on Day Two, and could well have gone on to get the big score I believe is just around the corner.

There is no doubt that batting was easier first thing this morning than it had been in the last half-hour on Day One. Thus, both Michael Slater and I were disappointed we didn't capitalise as a long innings was there to be enjoyed. Fortunately, Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist stepped up, scoring rapidly and putting us in a position where we can definitely still win, despite the first two days' rain.

A talking point from the first day's play involved the Indian team's decision not to permit the lights to be turned on, so play could continue after the light deteriorated. I can understand why the Indian management rejected the chance to play under the floodlights, given their lack of experience playing with a red ball under the lights. But it was a shame that the spectators - at the ground, watching on television or listening on the radio - missed out on what could well have been some compelling Test cricket. Personally, I'm happy to play Test cricket under lights.

Just last week, I batted under lights during my hundred against Western Australia in Perth, and had no problems at all. In 'normal' circumstances, we would have had to accept an offer from the umpires to come off. In conditions such as yesterday's, on a tricky wicket with the light fading, a batting captain can't afford to risk losing a couple of quick wickets. With the lights on, though, there would be no reason not to carry on.

(Gameplan)

Gameplan

Steve Waugh