1st test Aus v NZ

[Occasional Fan]

Not the day they would have hoped for, but adding 108 for 2 between tea and stumps at least means that NZ will not be quite as downhearted as they might have been. And in fact, when you note that they were 2-29 at one point (Beny: you notice this? I'm writing in Australian here as a special concession), 7-250 is not so bad. Like you, though, Zainub, I can't believe that it is enough. NZ must make the most of their last three wickets tomorrow.

[Beny]

I missed basicly everything after Oram came out to bat so I was a little shocked to hear the score. Sounds like he's doing a good job.

I noticed the blazer too, I quite like it.

[Rachael]

This surely can't last:

End of over 116 (13 runs) New Zealand 351/9
MS Kasprowicz 28-5-90-4 (2nb) - Stanley Street End
JDP Oram 124* (173b 12x4 3x6) CS Martin 0* (5b)

 115.6 Kasprowicz to Martin, no run, straighter ball on a length, played
        to the on side
 115.5 Kasprowicz to Martin, no run, short ball down off, left down the
        off side
 115.4 Kasprowicz to Oram, one run, slower ball, pushed away to the off
        side
 115.3 Kasprowicz to Oram, SIX, steps out again and smashed this one away
        over mid wicket
 115.2 Kasprowicz to Oram, SIX, steps out to a full pitched delivery,
        slogged high and hard straight back down the ground
 115.1 Kasprowicz to Oram, no run, steps back, plays and misses to a ball
        thats full down the off side

End of over 115 (13 runs) New Zealand 338/9
JN Gillespie 28-7-83-1 - Vulture Street End
JDP Oram 111* (169b 12x4 1x6) CS Martin 0* (3b)

 114.6 Gillespie to Martin, no run, pitched full and straight, played back
        down the pitch
 114.5 Gillespie to Oram, one run, steps back to a shortish ball, pushed
        away to cover
 114.4 Gillespie to Oram, FOUR, steps abck to a short ball, slapped away
        through point
 114.3 Gillespie to Oram, SIX, short ball, slog pulled over mid wicket
 114.2 Gillespie to Oram, two runs, short ball, pushed away through the
        off side, they take a risky second, the throw from Hayden is a
        poor one, Oram brings up a terrific century
 114.1 Gillespie to Oram, no run, short ball, gets forward to push to the
        off side, Gillespie fields in his follow through, thought of a
        single turned down

Update: hadn't realised it was close to lunch: one uneventful over later I was reading "And that completes an excellent session for the visitors. Jacob Oram has really put New Zealand in a healthy position with his healthy, and at times entertaining, century."

Morning session to NZ: 350 looked way out of reach when Vettori went... and even more so when Mills went: that 35 for the final wicket doesn't look like enough to worry the Aussies. but the extra session batted out should at least ensure, from a NZ perspective, that a draw remains on the cards

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Rachael

This surely can't last:

LOL, I guess we'll never know because Oram ran out of partners! Looking at past results, NZ have a good chance of winning this or forcing a draw. Pakistan were in a similar position in Nov 1999 but Australia hit 575 in their 1st innings and then dismissed Pakistan for 281 in the 2nd innings leaving them an easy target of 74 runs for victory. They wrapped up the match before Tea on Day 5 even though the 3rd session on Day 4 was washed out. The Gabba should be playing at its best for batsmen now and, no doubt, Australia will try and push the run-rate along while accumulating a big score and, ideally, a first innings lead.

[Ernest]

Hmmm we will see what tomorrow brings, New Zealand have done it so far.nor rollong over.

Ern

[Zainub]

Lehman under pressure, didn't get many this time as well, don't know how long Katich will stay out of the team, but I never doubt the wisdom of Aussie selectors : they didn't drop Martyn even when he hadn't score a ton for 17 test matches, the faith paided off, and he scored 2 in a row in Sri Lanka and India, and has already notched up 1000 runs in the calendar year...but they must be be looking at Lehman's performance closely, surely, they must be thinking.

On the match as a whole, I would say NZ did better with the ball than I initially expected, in the last hour or so though Clarke and Martyn really took the momentum of first Oram's 100 and then those 4 cheap wickets away from them, and played some splendid shots, it was truely worth watching even in the highlights. Tomorrow, if NZ can break this partnership quickly and then don't allow Gili to settle down (expose the tail in other words) they would have real good chance of putting Australia under pressure in their 2nd innings (remember that Aus are not renowned for 4th innings chases) and we might be in for a very interesting game...

All that story out of the window though if they can't get atleast 2 of Martyn, Clarke and Gilchrist in the first hour...I'll dream on still though....its relaxing in many ways...

[Beny]

Well my Internet is officaly wierd. I havent been able to post for a day or two.

Originally Posted by CricInfo headline

Clarke and Gilchrist flay sorry Kiwis

Michael Clarke and Adam Gilchrist, who both cracked excellent hundreds, revived Australia's innings and then the batting of Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie left New Zealand on the ropes at Brisbane. Australia closed on 9 for 564, a lead of 211 runs

Great stuff boys.

So much for the short ball theory

NZ were bowling far too short to guys like Clarke and Gilly who just murderd them. Two very special innings and a mention must go to the tail. Gillespie and McGrath out did themsleves. Great 50 McGrath.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Beny

Great stuff boys.

So much for the short ball theory

NZ were bowling far too short to guys like Clarke and Gilly who just murderd them. Two very special innings and a mention must go to the tail. Gillespie and McGrath out did themsleves. Great 50 McGrath.

Depends who is bowling the short stuff Beny Sterner times ahead.

Ern

No excuses internet acting up in 2005

[Mike]

Well the story of Day 3 was the docile pitch and NZ's seam bowling which was exposed as ineffective on that type of surface. NZ did well to get a competitive total in their first innings but despite having Australia in trouble at 5 for 220 couldn't maintain the pressure against an aggressive Michael Clarke who people rate as another Ponting. From the highlights I saw on Sky The NZ seam bowlers were bowling short and wide hoping the batsmen would make a mistake but Clarke and Gilly were up to the challenge. To add salt into the wound McGrath made his first Test 50 and formed a 90 run last wicket partnership with Gillespie. Australia have repeated the scenario I mentioned earlier and should now spin NZ out on a wearing pitch.

I also have to say that serious cricket fans should try and get Sky if they can. I was very impressed this morning after the day's play was over that Charles Colville and Mark Ramprakash did an analysis of Michael Clarke's batting technique. Very interesting stuff.

[Beny]

What was the end result? Clarke was on chanel 9 doing a master class about hooking and then during the game the commentators noted that just watching the guy do it was a masterclass.