There has been plenty happening in the Aussie cricket team since we left Zimbabwe a couple of weeks ago. John Buchanan has been appointed the new coach, the drummer in the band Ian Healy has retired and today Adam Gilchrist and Scotty Muller made their Test debuts. The times are changing and although 'Heals' will be sorely missed for his incredible work ethic, talent and dedication to the team it is an exciting time leading into this series against the highly talented and highly unpredictable Pakistanis.

With allegations flying around about Pakistan's 'Rawalpindi Express', the series has been built up to boiling point before a ball was even bowled this morning. Like every Test though, all the pre-match controversies, speculations and opinions were forgotten when Glenn McGrath bowled the first ball of the series at 10am this morning. For the second consecutive Test match Steve Waugh went against Australian tradition and decided our best approach was to bowl first on a Gabba pitch promising good pace, seam and bounce. With three genuine new ball bowlers in our starting XI everyone was pumped up when we took the field this morning.

By stumps it would be fair to say it was a tough day of Test match cricket. The pitch didn't play as many tricks as we had bargained for but the boys stuck to the task pretty well. While it wasn't the perfect day it could have been a lot worse when Inzamam and Yousuf were compiling their menacing partnership. Thanks to Damien Fleming's three vital wickets in the final session the feeling in the changing room was pretty positive tonight.

Our two debutantes both had good first up days in their cherished baggy green caps that were presented to them in an emotional ceremony by Australian cricket legend Billy Brown. It always sends a shiver down the back of the spine when a team-mate is presented with his baggy green for the first time and this morning was no exception. Bill Brown explained the tradition of the baggy green and the pride for which it should be worn. He was inspirational in sharing his thoughts about playing cricket for Australia.

Last night at our team dinner Patrick Rafter came along as a guest of the team. What a sensational bloke! It was great meeting another Australian who has made such a mark in his chosen career. Obviously he is a great tennis player, but more noticeable was his easy going nature and fantastic spirit. It was a buzz having him around as he seems like an absolute beauty of a bloke!

With some of the journalists around the country calling for blood from our batting order the pressure is on from many angles for a high-class performance tomorrow with the bat. Obviously we need to secure the final four Pakistani wickets as quickly as possible in the morning and then we will all need to be at our best to combat the aggressive and talented visitors. It is hard reading some of the criticism in the press but in the end of the day we all know that runs are the only remedy. For the team's sake, a big first innings score will be vital for our prospects in this all-important first Test his summer.