Pacy Perth not as fast

Ricky Ponting writes in The Australian about adjusting from one-day games to Tests and also deals with the unique aspects of the Perth pitch. “The bounce is still really good and it's still different to any other wicket you will play on in Australia, but I don't think it's as quick as it was once renowned for being.”

The pitch helped Jeff Thomson’s speed and he continues to deliver uncomfortable bursts at cricket administrators. Today’s spray in The Daily Telegraph revolves around “super coaches” and the appointment of Troy Cooley as Australia’s bowling mentor. “I just wonder sometimes how they walk into these jobs. What's up with Bruce Reid? Didn't we have a bloke before who's probably the best bowler we've ever seen in Dennis Lillee? "

Greg Baum wonders why the ICC stepped in with its edict on verbal banter. “The war of words is pseudo, a fake, an exercise in marketing. Call it off and let the real game begin.”