On a pitch resembling the first day of a match at the Gabba, the good guys had a reasonable day at the office. Seeing more pitch life today than we have seen for the whole of the tour, the Sri Lankan pace men had us jumping around during a tough work out in desperately hot and humid conditions here in Colombo. With the second Test starting in Galle next week, most of the batsmen spent valuable time in the middle against some testing opposition.

Simon Katich, playing his first game in the green Aussie helmet, looked at ease during his time at the crease. One of his great strengths is his ice cool temperament and he showed this during his aggressive 40 runs today. Unfortunately he was run out just as he was about beginning to take total control of our first innings but he spent enough time in these foreign conditions to give him the confidence to make his Test debut next week if Steve Waugh is unfit.

The other star of today was our second debutante Scott Muller who took a wicket with his first delivery for Australia. In the team huddle immediately after his first triumph, he looked at me with a nervous smile and said "Alfy, it's nice to get that first one out of the way mate". His look was one of relief as anything, probably the same type of relief that 'Katto' felt earlier in the day when he scored his first run for Australia.

Off the field and Ricky Ponting is over the moon with the performance of his beloved Kangaroos against the Brisbane Lions tonight. A mad North Melbourne supporter, 'Punter' was delighted to have his favourite football team extend their season to one more week and a possible AFL Premiership. One thing we miss while we are away from home in the winter is our football. Most of the guys follow either the AFL or rugby league and look forward to the weekly updates which will come to an end next week when the Champions are decided for another season.

From Colombo, JL