TEST CRICKET at last. What a relief!

When this column is being read, the New Zealand and Sri Lanka

cricketers would have sent their cowboy clothing that they used in the Limited over series to the cleaners and got into whites to play what the game is all about TEST CRICKET.

The First of Two Tests would have begun at the Galle International Stadium yesterday and it is hoped that the rains will relent and allow five full days of cricket.

Probably it would have been for the first time that five one-day internationals were spoilt by rain. The weather in Pallekele did not allow full games and it was ditto at Sooriyawewa.

Three-nil victory

While Sri Lanka would be savouring their three-nil victory in the five match series, the New Zealanders must be consoling themselves confident that if the weather had kept fine they too would have been in with a chance.

But that was the script that the cricketing gods would have writ before the series began and that Sri Lanka would win, and that the home team would pocket the series, three-nil.

The Kiwis must be smarting after their one-day defeats and can be expected to come out firing in the Test matches. The Sri Lankans will do well not to be complacent, but be on guard for a Kiwi backlash.

Different ball game

Although Twenty20 and 50-over cricket is a different ball game and where emphasis is laid on a quick fire game with money to boot, Test cricket is what will bring out the best in the players.

But like one Twenyy20 was an exercise in futility, the Two-Test

series with the first one that is now on in Galle is also an exercise in futility. If one team wins both Tests, it would make some sense.

But if the teams share the two games, it would look ridiculous.

Our congratulations to Captain Mahela Jayewardene and his gallant

band of cricketers on their success in the one-dayers and it is hoped they will take this confidence into the Tests and stuff the Kiwis.

Aussies take honours

The South Africans led by Graeme Smith arrived in Australia sporting the World Test Championship tag and were expected to maintain that hard won tag and if possible to further enhance their reputation by overcoming the Aussies. There was much hype between the two teams to psychologically get the edge and indications were that the Three Test series was going to be contested with no quarter asked or given.

While the South Africans were determined to stay top in the Test rankings, the Aussies playing at home and with every advantage, were equally determined to crop the Proteas and enhance their growing reputation. Thus the stage was set for blockbusters.

Big first day score

When the South Africans won the toss and made a big first day score of 259 for 3 with Hashim Amla on 90 and Jacques Kallis on 84, it looked as though the visitors would run up a big score and that Australia would have to bat twice to save the game. But that spoil sport, RAIN poured down on the second day to stall any play and importantly valuable playing time was lost and as a result the teams played out a draw. When Amla and Kallis notched up three figure scores - 104 and 147 respectively and South Africa declared at 450 for 5, Australia's first hurdle was to get past 250 and avoid the ignominy of having to follow on.

Main batting guns

Amla and Kallis have been South Africa's main batting guns for some time and showed that they still have it in them to carry on the run scoring form and bat the team to a formidable total so as to put pressure on the Aussies.

Amla and Kallis are eye catching batsmen with strokes all round the wicket and their driving on the V was a treat to watch. If the form they showed in scoring centuries, then the Aussie bowlers will be continued to be mauled.

To any team having to be asked to follow on is shame and could have an upsetting effect and could knock the confidence off. But the Aussies with their growing reputation to guard batted purposefully in reply.

Record breaking stand

Double century-makers skipper Michael Clarke 259 not out and century maker Ed Cowans 136 who were involved in a record breaking 4th wicket stand of 259 showing the way the Aussies strolled to a big 565 for 5 declared.

With a lead of 115 runs, Aussie skipper Clarke showed daring saying that they would push for victory on the final day. And although failing to deliver that promise, had the Proteas on 165 for 5 to take honours when the Test was called off. Clarke's double century was a work of art. One of the most elegant batsmen going in the game today, Clarke came to the crease with Australia in trouble at 46 for 3 and was still there on 259 when he declared the innings.

Run making act

When he gets into the run making act, he is a treat to watch. His technique and temperament is exemplary. With twinkle toed footwork, he is easily the best player of spin bowling today. But in this Aussie dominance, the only pall of gloom was the failure of that batsman who has carried Aussie batting scoring bags full of runs, former captain and the consistent scoring Ricky Ponting.

Ponting who quit playing the limited overs game, had a long layoff and came into this Test after scoring big runs for his state Tasmania.

When he walked in to bat expectations were that he would score and show that he has a lot more cricket in him.

Little movement

But after facing a few deliveries, the great batsman lunged forward and poked at a delivery from Mornie Morkel. There was just that little movement and the ball took the edge and lollied to Kallis in the slips who gobbled the catch to the joy of the fielding team and disappointment of Ponting.

Ponting was out for a blob and that would have given the unforgiving Aussie media the ammunition to shoot at Ponting and bay for his retirement. The Aussie media has been playing this game for long asking for the neck of Ponting. They forced him out of the Limited overs game baying for his blood when he failed and succeeded. Skipper Clarke will want Ponting in the team. As a former successful captain, Clarke knows that he can learn a lot from Ponting and will not want Ponting out of his team.

Unforgiving media

There are Two more Tests to be played and we hope that the Aussie selectors headed by John Inverarity will hold their horses and not rush blindly egged on by their unforgiving media and drop the master batsman.

Ponting batted like the master of old in the games for his state Tasmania before the First Test in making big scores. But that harmless looking deliver from Morkel had cruelty written all over it for it took the edge of Ponting's bat to fall into the safe hands of Kallis. Ponting had disappointment writ on his face on his way with a duck following him on the big screen to the pavilion. But Ponting has faced bigger setbacks than this and we are sure Ponting will come back with a vengeance in the Tests to follow and make the Protea bowlers suffer.

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