1.   Opting to field after winning the toss, Campbell had hoped that an overcast sky would help the bowlers and the first quick wicket appeared to vindicate him.

2.   Earlier, New Zealand had relished the opportunity to bat first on a low and slow wicket which Hussain had calculated would help his bowlers.

3.   Opting to field after winning the toss, Campbell had hoped that an overcast sky would help the bowlers and the first quick wicket appeared to vindicate his decision.

4.   The bowlers were helped by the pitch, which was conducive to quality seam bowling, and they took their chances.

5.   The South Africans are missing captain Shaun Pollock, which makes their bowling line-up a little thin in conditions that may help bowlers in the first session.

6.   The wicket is expected to help fast bowlers and Pakistanis have in their rank two world class players, Akram and Waqar Younis.

7.   Even though the conditions did not help his bowlers, South African captain Mark Boucher could feel satisfied with his decision to send Australia in.

8.   The McLean Park pitch was continuing to help the bowlers during a morning which was twice disrupted by rain.