A day for cork hats and crowd calls

Adelaide is a throwback to old cricket-watching days. Television news bulletins encourage people to get to the ground and make a celebrity out of the curator. Eskies are still allowed; terry-towelling hats are optional. The confiscated drink and sandwich coolers at Brisbane looked like a parking lot, but at the Victor Richardson Gates containers are checked at the turnstiles and taken to the hill.

Wayne Phillips, the South Australia coach, and David Hookes used to plop balls over that entrance in the 1980s, but left-hand batsmen must aim more carefully now to clear the Chappell Stands of Richardson's grandchildren. Justin Langer quickly woke those spectators with four boundaries from James Franklin's first over. In a garden fountain behind them a sulphur-crested cockatoo cooled off while pelicans stayed close to the River Torrens. It was tempting to join in.

The morning was so hot it was possible to burn before the completion of New Zealand's national anthem, and members' voices echoed under the rust-coloured roof as they Advanced Australia Fair. Rising to 37 degrees today, the heatwave will continue through the weekend and any sessions under 35 will be toasted. Australia almost topped 100 by lunch. New Zealand's players walked back slowly through the George Giffin Stand to the dressing-room. Few things can sap a touring team as much as the thought of two days' fielding in winds blowing from the northern deserts.

Walking around the ground, flies buzz around eyes and give lips annoying tingles. In this match the Australian wave will probably replace the Mexican to brush away the pests. It is a week for cork hats and crowd calls along the 1932-33 lines of "Leave our flies alone, Fleming". The only thing that seems to be missing is Ian Chappell from the television commentary team. A South Australian favourite, Chappell has been rested for the match in favour of England's Mark Nicholas.

Everything else is in place from the corporate marquees to the crowd beach ball. Jamie Siddons, another great South Australian batsmen and a state assistant coach, knows plenty about Les Burdett's pitches and is impressed with its hardness. New Zealand have picked two spinners and the amount of turn is in doubt as he leaves the lift for the SACA offices. It is definitely a day for air-conditioning.