The famous WACA wicket is showing signs of cracking but has received a glowing endorsement from both sides after last year's lifeless production.
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Aussies dominate first day
Australia owned day one against South Africa, knocking over the Proteas for 242 before reaching stumps at 0/105 in the first Test.
The first day of the Test summer yielded 10 wickets and nearly 350 runs, in stark contrast to the clash with New Zealand last season. In fact, more wickets fell in the first hour on Thursday than the corresponding day 12 months ago.
Curator Matt Page and his team have been working hard to restore the WACA deck to its glory days - and he could be quietly satisfied with what he has unveiled.
![Whirlwind knock: David Warner salutes after notching his half-century.](/web/20161106004704im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/h/n/3/d/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gshmpl.png/1478181419829.jpg)
There was plenty of bounce and carry, and the early indication is the cracks that had become synonymous with yesteryear may be returning.
There was ball from Dale Steyn to Shaun Marsh that took off from a small plate on a good length, clipping the opener on the shoulder.
The mercury is set to climb into the high 30s on Saturday, which will bake and fast track the deterioration of the pitch.
"Shaun Marsh had one jump up. If the weather is as hot as it's meant to be throughout the week, could see a few cracks by the end," Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc said.
![Full rewards: Mitchell Starc celebrates the wicket of Stephen Cook during day one of the First Test.](/web/20161106004704im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/h/6/p/9/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gshmpl.png/1478181419829.jpg)
The pitch offered assistance to the quicks prepared to pitch the ball up but with a fast outfield there were also runs on offer for batsmen once set.
David Warner made a whirlwind 73 off 62 balls late in the day against a disappointing Proteas attack.
"It's a lot nicer to bowl on than Sri Lanka, that's for sure," Starc said.
"That's all you're after, an even contest between bat and ball. There was something in it throughout the day. If you put the ball in the right area and made the batsman play you felt like your catchers were always in the game.
"There'll be enough in it throughout the whole Test match if you put the ball in the right area often enough.
"At the same time if batsmen get in and want to take on the game like Davey did tonight there's plenty of runs out there as well."
The Australians were aided by an unusually below par performance from Steyn, who bowled too short.
"We saw on the TV at some point that 88 per cent of their balls were too short," Starc said.
"It's something we were talking about - hitting those stumps and bowling that bit fuller and not getting too carried away with that bounce. They were shorter than we were and that's resulted in us being 0/100."