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Australia take on New Zealand in the second Test match of the two-match series at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. We’ll bring you the live scores and commentary of the action throughout the day, with the game starting at 10.30 am local time.
Despite nearly half the side changing because of injuries, Australia did well to take the lead in Brisbane at the Gabba in the First Test.
Michael Clarke’s century in the first innings and James Pattinson’s five-wicket haul in the second were cornerstones of the side’s success.
New Zealand were woeful when they batted, and dropped chances and wickets off no-balls did not help their cause.
Daniel Vettori continued to wage a lone battle, with Dean Brownlie showing some promise with the bat. But the top-order collapses in both innings undermined their effort.
Pace bowler Ben Cutting did not feature in the first game and copped an injury while bowling for Queensland afterward. He was replaced by Daniel Christian in the squad for this game.
Christian’s was a surprise selection but he will need to wait a little longer before he wears the Baggy Green.
Clarke has confirmed the same starting XI as the previous Test, the first time they have retained the team since winning the Perth Test match last year.
Phil Hughes will know he is the focus of much attention. The critics have panned his wobbly technique and streaky strokes through (or to) the slips, while others have exhorted for some patience while dealing with him.
Talks of Ricky Ponting’s retirement have subsided after his consecutive half-centuries but a Test match century has been elusive. A hundred at home will be a perfect way to set himself up for the India series.
Both the New Zealand captain and coach have slammed the Kiwi batting in the first game. But expect no changes to the line-up and BJ Watling should continue to sit out.
The forecast is for no rains but it could start off as a cloudy day at Hobart that may aid the swing bowlers. Clarke admitted that it was a greener-than-usual pitch and batting could be difficult on the first day.
Both sets of seam bowlers would like to fire in off this deck on the opening day. How they perform when the pitch flattens out will hold the key to their sides’s success.
We will bring you the coverage throughout the day and hope to receive your opinions as the action unfolds.
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