The first session of what is likely to be the final day of the second Test between Australian and New Zealand at Hobart will hold the key to the result of the match.
Early wickets for New Zealand will bring them back into the game but if Australia can ward off the early morning movement, they should make the series a clean-sweep and win the game.
We’ll bring you the live scores and commentary of the action throughout the fourth day, with the game starting at 10.00 am local time to cover for the lost time on the first day.
For the second time in the match, the Australian innings was curtailed because of inclement weather. The easing pitch in the latter sessions of the day may have allowed the hosts to get much closer to the Kiwi target.
Now, Australia will have to negotiate the difficult first session. Six, six and seven wickets have fallen in this session on each of the first three days and New Zealand will hope for an encore.
Dave Warner has done a fine job of stroking his way to a 50-ball 47. A maiden Test fifty beckons but his job will be far more than to just get to that landmark.
Phil Hughes is lucky to be still at the crease but now needs to cash in on the opportunity. He is on 20 and another failure could push him further away from the selection radar.
Two balls were changed in the Australian innings but there wasn’t a repeat of the Kiwi bowling performance from the first innings.
The pronounced movement from the previous essay was missing, presumably because of the lack of moisture. Chris Martin and co. need to extract and exploit it on day four.
With 169 runs being still a steep chase on this pitch, it will be a matter for someone from either team to put their hand up and deliver the goods.
Whether it will be Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey or Chris Martin, Trent Boult and Tim Southee, who takes the bull by its horns, will decide the course of this game.
We will bring you the coverage throughout the second day at Hobart and hope to receive your opinions as the action unfolds.
future selector
Guest
Excuse me but he is the batsmen in the partnership(120 not out)?? You have no argument because we lost!!
future selector
Guest
Excuse me but how so? It's the batsmen job to make runs isn't it???: His 120 odd not out why not take the responsibility and do what is required???
JVGO
Guest
I didn't want him to take the single, bracewell had 5 wickets and Lyon was looking shaky. It would have been a smart move not to. But the emergance of Warner more than counterbalances the magnitude of the loss. I'm enjoying the cricket and the emergence of some exciting young players.
Tommy
Guest
I know Cowan is in good form but with a career average of 39, I just wonder if he has the class to be the long term solution. I'm only going via averages though as like most people I barely watch shield cricket. does any watch watch him play a lot & can you make a comment on this?
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Only if Guptill goes to play for India.
Harry
Guest
Yes and Yes. Steve Waugh, magnificent cricketer and captain, solidified the "play positively" - but 1) his team included some of the best players to ever play the game and 2) when it was necessary, Waugh knew how to guts it out - I'm sure if he would have walked through the gate today instead of Clarke, Australia would have won. We need to get back to knowing when to grind and when to attack ... that was what was impressive about Sean Marsh's innings against Sri Lanka and the 1st innings in SA, he didn't throw his wicket away. And ii'm hopeful that on the bowling from, Lyon and Siddle can develop into bowlers who can keep an end tight
Fisher Price
Guest
And losing Test matches doesn't seem to provide the selectors with said balls.
Rhys
Guest
FP, you forgot to add "I once outscored Matty Hayden in a session".
Fisher Price
Guest
He should've been dropped after West Indies toured here last (before his failed trips to England and India), then it wouldn't be an issue. But, oh, no, the selectors can't drop experienced players who are loved within the group. The experience that has helped Australia win 4 of its last 15 Test matches. At the moment though, Hughes, Punter and Haddin make Hussey look half decent, so replacing him probably isn't that urgent.
Matt F
Roar Guru
If you look at the Aussie top 7's scores in both innings Khawajas 23 was the 2nd highest in the match as was his combined total of 30. No wonder we lost!
jameswm
Guest
When you need 8 to win, hogging the strike and trying to slog 4s isn't that smart either.
jameswm
Guest
Cricketers have to learn how to adapt to the conditions. when I was a younger bowler "hitting the deck" was the thing. I was on the outer a bit as a swing bowler, but no one could play accurate swing. A lot of our test batsmen can't either.
Fisher Price
Guest
"Keep the scoreboard ticking over". "Play your natural game". "Don't let the bowler get on top of you". "Dominate". "Look at my clever dossier".
jameswm
Guest
I think all of Harris, Cummns, Pattinson and Siddle are quality bowlers. Siddle I am backing, 2 are v young and one is a bit hobbled, but I'm happy for any 3 of those 4 to play, esp with Watto as a 4th seamer. Lyon is an underrated spinner - he gets good energy on the ball. Good follow through, good turn and bounce.
Fisher Price
Guest
Ah, the stars of such batting collapses as Leeds, Mohali, Adelaide (x2), Melbourne, Sydney (x2), Cape Town, Johannesburg and now Hobart (x2).
jameswm
Guest
I guess if Marsh and Watto are ready they'd have to come back in. Hughes goes, and I guess Khawaja too, unless the seletors are ready to call time on Ponting or Hussey's career. I don't think they've got the balls for calls like that yet. Dumping Khawaja is the easy option, and he hasn't done enough to force the selectors to keep him. I expect them to take the easy option. Khawaja could then say to Punter thanks for the run out bud, it's cost me my place! But Ponting, Hussey and Haddin have to at least be on notice. Not sure if the selectos do that sort of thing, in case it puts more pressure on.
Ranger
Guest
I know James.... Warner and Pattinson are your form players. Sad that young Cummins is injured. With him in the team, you will have a very decent test side.
Matt F
Roar Guru
"Play positively" is Justin Langers trademark advice and seemingly his only bit of coaching. No wonder the batting keeps collapsing. It's sad that something as simple as "bowl more full balls" which is really junior cricket advice seems to be revolutionary to the current team........
Fisher Price
Guest
And is Punter standing outside the door even? Has he been for two years?
Fisher Price
Guest
I'm pretty sure that's the case. This unhelpful sycophancy is rife throughout Cricket Australia and some sections of the media.