A green pitch, overcast conditions at Allan Border Field, and four quicks desperate to press claims for Test selection.
The scene set was for carnage as New Zealand's cricket tour began in Brisbane on Thursday.
Australia A captain George Bailey duly inserted the tourists as the coin fell his way and the carnage began - from the bat of Black Caps keeper-batsman Brendon McCullum.
The tattooed opener smashed 146 from 115 balls and was a beacon on a weather-interrupted opening day of the four-day Test precursor.
When bad light forced an early finish the Black Caps were 4 for 290 from 67 overs. Captain Ross Taylor will resume on 45 alongside Perth-born Dean Brownlie 21.
Play started half an hour late on a day that loomed as a Test audition for Australia's best young quicks but turned into a confidence boost for the tourists under a canopy of Brisbane cloud.
McCullum's first 50 came at a run-a-ball and the onslaught accelerated from there.
He registered his 11th first-class century from just 85 deliveries and by the time he nicked Ben Hilfenhaus to keeper Matthew Wade he had hit 21 fours and half a dozen sixes.
The foil was Auckland right-hander Martin Guptill who was relatively untroubled posting 43 in the opening partnership of 148.
Despite the Albion ground's relatively short boundaries square of the wicket, there was no hiding the calibre of McCullum's innings.
Despite the battering he gave the bowlers there was a wry sense of delight in the crowd as McCullum will become a 'local' later in the summer as one of Brisbane Heat's key signings for the T20 Big Bash.
The 58-Test veteran's knock exacerbated the mystery surrounding the make-up of the hosts Test attack so close to the traditional Australian international opener at the Gabba.
Mitchell Johnson's foot and form is a worry. Ryan Harris is keen to play but it seems the Australian selectors are keener to ensure he is fit for Boxing Day.
It is a tough call for selectors when there is a team in need yet an unreliable body carrying the bravado of an undoubted
competitor.
Reports from the Apple Isle suggest Hilfenhaus is getting back to his best and NSW left-armer Mitchell Starc was impressive in the recently completed Sheffield Shield match across town.
Neither leapt to the front of the queue with their day-one performances.
Ben Cutting's domestic form has been irrepressible for the Bulls but there is strong word he started this match fourth in line for higher honours of the Australia A pace battery.
The fact Michael Beer was given three overs before Cutting was thrown the ball on the opening morning did nothing to dispel that line of thought.
James Pattinson might be the closest from those playing at Border Field.
He was picked in the Test squad for the Sri Lankan tour and on Thursday claimed 2 for 65 from 12 overs where his aggression was evident but at times climbed on by one of world cricket's cleanest hitters.
While not in sight at the tour match, Trent Copeland is far from out of mind.
He carried the drinks in South Africa and his skill to move the ball makes him a difficult proposition at the Gabba.
Only a year ago Peter Siddle was an Ashes hat-trick hero in Brisbane but now solidity, fitness and work ethic may be enough for him to see the opening Test of this Australian summer.
A sore hamstring is preventing the prospect of Doug Bollinger getting another chance despite his impressive first innings bowling display against the Queensland last week.
At least the family of Patrick "Kid" Cummins can book their flights to see the 18-year-old make his first appearance for Australia on home soil if his heel recovers adequately from his Johannesburg heroics.
The discussion of 'pick your team' has rarely has so much fuel and variety - and that is only the bowling.
Messers Warner, Cowan and Wade could confuse or clarify things even further as this tour match continues.
Tags: cricket, sport, albion-4010, qld, australia First posted November 24, 2011 18:44:27
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