We all trooped off to the MCG on Boxing Day wrapped up in as many layers of clothing as we could find with great anticipation in the hope of seeing two world records. In the end we witnessed one record, couldn't quite beat the second and suffered freezing temperatures and a soaking in the rain.

89,155 spectators (or patrons as they are called over here) just failed to beat the record crowd of 90,800 back in February 1961 (Australia v West Indies) but we did see the mercurial Shane Warne take his 700th Test Wicket in mid afternoon.

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At the point of delivery...

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Ball between bat & stumps...

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Strauss bowled - bail & ball in view...

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Warne celebrating!

It was a classic 'we were there moment' although Strauss will probably want to forget it as the moment will undoubtably be replayed thousands of times around the world. The weather deterred many MCG members from attending so the record will have to wait for another day - not very hardy souls these Australians!

An interesting statistic has been highlighted in the local press. Murali is widely expected to overtake Warne in the near future and possibly reach 1000 wickets but of the 674 test scalps he has taken so far, 137 have been against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. Of Warne's 704 victims, only 17 have been taken against these two countries.

Thousands of new arrivals have arrived in Melbourne having escaped the fog and cold weather in England. The Barmy Army arranged a BBQ on Christmas Day and over 2,000 put up with the rain and the coldest day ever recorded on Christmas Day in the City. On the outskirts snow fell to give the locals a proper White Christmas.

Some friends (aka the Lancs CCC Member by birth and Notts CCC by adoption plus the Novice) arrived on Christmas Eve. They are both rookie tourists and we had promised to provide the Christmas Day champagne by the pool in the sun. Best laid plans and all that!! The Champagne was consumed in our room and Christmas lunch was a Chinese in Chinatown! The hot weather is due to return in a few days.

Not much can be said about England's opening day batting. The conditions were good for bowling but at 101-2 the hard part had been completed. Then that man Warne came on and as Peter Roebuck wrote, "It is not just about the ball. Warne creates confusion, crowds and tantalises and torments. He is a master of the mind games." From the moment he came on England lost 8 wickets for 58 runs and Warnie picked up another five-for. The appreciation for a true great was immense and it is unlikely there will ever be another like him. On with the sweaters and off to day two we go.