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With Australia in a dominant position heading into Day 2 of the first Test match against New Zealand, it’s going to to take a mighty turn around for the likely outcome of the match to change. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 10:45am (AEDT).
On Day 1 Australia came racing out of the blocks to compile a monster score.
At stumps on the first day of the summer of cricket, Australia were two wickets for 389, all in just 88 overs. New Zealand finished two short of the required 90 overs and Brendon McCullum faces a potential suspension from the next Test.
At the crease for Australia are Usman Khawaja, on 102, and captain Steve Smith, who sits on 41 from 54 balls.
The scariest thing for New Zealand is probably the fact that Australia went at about four-and-a-half runs per over all day. In fact the only batsman with a strike rate of less than 70 was Joe Burns, and that was due in part to scoring no runs from his first 17 balls.
An inability to flow the stem of runs generally indicates you have no control in the field and yesterday was no exception to that. David Warner was uncontrollable and played one of his most patient and controlled innings to score 163, while Burns was dismissed on 71.
Tim Southee ended up with 1-63 to be the only bowler who even looked like taking a wicket. Trent Boult bowled reasonably in patches, while the others – Doug Bracewell, James Neesham and Mark Craig – were poor.
Captain McCullum must be blamed in part for New Zealand’s bowling woes, particularly in the first two sessions. He made massive changes to the field at every opportunity, and adjusted where his bowlers were aiming, meaning they could never settle into a rhythm.
New Zealand begin Day 2 with a ball that’s eight overs old and already appears to have lost its ability to swing. There was a bit of bounce in the pitch at various points during Day 1, but was ultimately a nice batting strip. The Black Caps have to use this bounce and pick up early wickets or it will be another long day.
After scoring rapidly without even appearing to try, the Aussies would likely be aiming to declare early in the second session, particularly with rain expected throughout the rest of the match.
Join The Roar for live coverage of Day 2 from 10:45am (AEDT) and don’t forget to comment if you’re following.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde