The first day of post-Argus Test cricket left Australia with more questions than answers. Winning what looked like a decisive toss and batting first, the tourists stumbled to 273 all out at the close, with only Mike Hussey passing 50.

On a wicket with more cracks than the government's immigration policy and drier than a Mormon pub, it was always going to be a test of how Australia's batsmen coped with Sri Lanka's spin attack. That answer at least came swiftly, when Shane Watson was smartly caught at the wicket to Rangana Herath's opening delivery - the first ball of spin for the match, and just the 37^th of the Test.

From pre-match projections of a target in excess of 500, Australia's first-innings quickly resembled a rearguard action.

Philip Hughes added further grist to the mill of the Simon Katich fan-club, predictably fending a short ball to the slip cordon. In his defence, he received a ripsnorter of a delivery, and, like his opening partner's dismissal, credit should go to the bowler more than condemnation to the batsman. Regardless, the Sri Lankans penetrated the young opener's well-known weak spot and if he fails to address that flaw his Test career could be over before it has properly begun. Again.

In more positive news for Australia, Ricky Ponting looked more like his old self. The temporal lobe is prone to ascribing patterns to human behaviour (often where there are no patterns to be seen) but the former captain exuded a different air than of late. Like a cartoon character no longer under an animated storm cloud, the Tasmanian looked effervescent and energised at the crease. His bat swing looked more assured and purposeful, his footwork was nimble and positive and the willingness to score his way out of sticky situations hinted at a return to pre-2007 heights.

Ponting fell when set, as did his successor as captain, Michael Clarke. Clarke's dismissal highlighted the flaws in the ICC's implementation of the UDRS system, whereby Sri Lanka were allowed to refer an LBW decision in their favour. This despite Hot Spot technology not being available for catches and England and India being unable to use predictive tracking technology in their recent series. The lack of standardisation is a serious blight on the current game. International series are being played concurrently to different rules. This should not be allowed to happen.

The middle and lower order failed to cope with the unpredictable surface. Usman Khawaja got a good cherry but made it look like the ball of the century with a lack of application. Brad Haddin's tour does not yet look like it has begun.

Around his compatriots, Mike Hussey looked like he had brought his own surface to play on. Like a twitchy mother rabbit, Mr Cricket's nervous glances and scampered runs protected the less able from returning to the hutch earlier than scheduled. Once in, he swept confidently and deserved his 14^th Test hundred.

Australia's fate now rests with its bowlers, including two debutants, in a side led by a skipper in his first Test as full-time captain. Worryingly for Clarke, Sri Lanka looked a spinner light with two recognised tweakers and the part-time Tillakaratne Dilshan. Australia has just Nathan Lyon on debut and Clarke's own left-arm options to turn to.

Aware of this, Sri Lanka's batsmen will doubtless hunt the young Lyon. Bowler and captain need to be prepared for this onslaught and stand resolute in the face of it. The South Australian has been selected for his wicket-taking abilities, not his economy rate and his success should be measured accordingly. On this pitch, Lyon is Australia's most dangerous bowler. Against such accomplished players of spin he is also the greatest liability. It will be a test of Lyon's skill and Clarke's nerve as to the outcome.

From the seam-bowling viewpoint Australia's attack looks balanced if possibly overstaffed. Trent Copeland's accuracy should prove effective on a wearing wicket rewarding bowlers capable of delivering in the right areas consistently. Allied with Mitchell Johnson's occasional miracle ball and Ryan Harris's grunt, Australia will be disappointed to suffer more than a minor first-innings deficit.