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
Republican
Guest
......good effort by Oz bowlers this arvy but I fear Kane and Tail may wag tomorrow, so all their hard yakka will be in vain. I still sense a draw.
Scott Pryde
Expert
No problems Digger, They have the talent to build a big score. Have to get past the follow on mark first and foremost.
Digby
Roar Guru
Cheers Scott. Up to Kane and BJ again. Am hoping!!
JoM
Roar Rookie
He certainly is that.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me today (and yesterday) here on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2015/2016 Summer of cricket and the first two days of the Australia vs New Zealand Test Series. I'm out for the rest of this Test, but The Roar will still have you covered so be sure to check in from 11am (AEDT) tomorrow for all the live coverage. I will be back at some point during the second Test! Good Evening.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Looked smaller than expected. Hard to tell.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Day 2 of the First Test Match has seen another dominant day for Australia as the chances of New Zealand being able to come back into the game slumped even further. Resuming play at 2/389, Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith set about building on the dominance from Day One. However, after some good shots and just looking like he was starting to get settled Smith was dismissed by a cracker of a ball from Trent Boult. A full ball, just short of a yorker length with a hint of late swing went straight between bat and pad and sent him back to the change room. Adam Voges and Usman Kahwaja would then combine for a long 157 run partnership. Before lunch they seemed to struggle a little bit to get the run rate up, particularly against the pace bowlers of Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Doug Bracewell. However Southee would go off with an injury, Mark Craig and Kane Williamson were introduced into the attack and the runs started to flow a lot more freely. After lunch though it was a different story for Australia. Kahwaja and Voges put the hammer down, Voges going past 50 and Khawaja 150. They were happy to take on any and all bowlers, showing lots of intent. However, as the scored reached about 530, Steve Smith had his whites on and clearly a declaration wasn't far away. When Kahwaja got out to a reverse sweep on 174, Australia would declare immediately leaving Voges on 83 not out and plenty questioning whether Smith should have waited to call the declaration. New Zealand would come out to bat and have an hour, or 13 overs as it turned out to be until the Tea interval. Australia didn't bowl brilliantly up to tea, not making New Zealand play enough and not extracting any movement. At Tea it was 0/43 with Martin Guptill and Tom Latham going along beautifully. However, after tea Guptill would be dismissed by the pressure built up from Hazlewood and a small lapse in concentration. Hazlewood bowled brilliantly to set the wicket up, building lot's of pressure. Latham then combined with Williamson and they built a 46 run partnership. However when Latham got himself out, the next couple of batsmen cam and went very quickly at the hands of Mitchell Starc and MItchell Johnson who wreaked havoc. Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum and James Neesham the batsmen to depart as both Starc and Johnson picked up two wickets. BJ Watling then joined Williamson and the pair batted excellently, having an unbeaten partnership of 39 at stumps, Williamson going past 50. At stumps, New Zealand in a precarious position and what looks like just one wicket away from possibly having to follow on with a tail that would be exposed to Starc, Johnson and Hazlewood.
Magic Man
Guest
Any word on the crowd?
Bobbo7
Guest
Williamson is a rare mix of talent, maturity and temperament.
Scott Pryde
Expert
No problems Liam! I think they will, but Australia must get rid of this partnership first. If they get back in tomorrow morning they could put on quite a score.
Scott Pryde
Expert
What a day for the Australian's then. New Zealand with a late fight back to bring themselves some respect. Report from the day to come shortly. Thoughts Roarers?
Liam Sheedy
Roar Guru
Thanks for the coverage. NZ will be praying for rain.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Lyon back over the wicket, tosses it up full and Williamson forward in defence to complete the day. STUMPS NEW ZEALAND - 5/157 (45) Williamson 55, Watling 14, Lyon 0/22 (8)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Just a little bit fuller now from Lyon and pushed outside the off stump as Williamson comes forward in defence once again. Then it is shorter, spinning towards the leg side and Williamson looks to put it into the leg side but can't get a run for it. Last ball of the day coming up. NEW ZEALAND - 5/157 (44.5)
Scott Pryde
Expert
The first one from Lyon is full, on the off stump and Williamson turns it into the leg side with no run coming from it. The next one is a bit shorter and makes Williamson really reach for it as he is unable to properly get to the pitch of it. He controls his defensive shot well though. Then Lyon goes shorter and Williamson can't get it away. NEW ZEALAND - 5/157 (44.3)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Last over of the day.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Johnson now with a really good short ball at Wattling and he ducks under it, letting it go over the stumps. Well played. The final ball of the over, with a lets go Johnson chant in the background is just back of a good length, straight and on the middle stump as Watling comes forward and defends getting squared up a fraction. NEW ZEALAND - 5/157 (44) Johnson 2/52 (12), Williamson 55
JoM
Roar Rookie
Like CA said on twitter, the guy is a freak. Don't think anyone would dispute that.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Johnson short this time at Watling and he goes back, across and plays a technically good defensive shot controlling into the ground. Johnson back on a good length this time and angles it across Watling who lets it go through to Nevill outside the off stump. In the final overs of the day, Australia must make the New Zealand batsmen play. NEW ZEALAND - 5/157 (43.4)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Johnson bowling to Williamson now and the first one is full, looked to be down on pace and outside off. Williamson with a lovely cover drive in perfect placement and they run three. The next one is a bit shorter, on a good length and angling very wide of the batsman. NEW ZEALAND - 5/157 (43.2)