Stranger things have happened, but it would take a miracle to get anything other than a draw when the second Test between Australia and New Zealand enters its final day at the WACA. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 1:15pm (AEDT).
The batsmen again dominated the proceedings on Day 4, with only six wickets falling across the 90 overs, three of them being lower order batsmen in the morning session.
The WACA pitch has been flat, and realistically not up to Test standards, or one that produces a result anyway. However that is another conversation for another day, as Australia enter the final day with eight second innings wickets in hand, and a lead of 193 on the board.
When they resume from the score of 2/258, with Steve Smith on 131 and Adam Voges on 101 in an unbroken partnership of 212, they will be able to decide if Australia have any chance of forcing a result from the match. However, based on the final session of play from Day 3, you would have to make the assumption it is unlikely at best, that they will either set New Zealand a reasonable total to chase, or give themselves enough time to knock New Zealand over.
Their run rate during that last session reduced to not much more than three runs per over, and was always going to slow the game down, lowering the chance for either side taking victory. At the same time, the partnership from the pair stopped the New Zealand side, who already having two wickets really had Australia in a spot of bother.
So far this match, only two bowlers have had any real penetration. Mitchell Starc for Australia and Tim Southee for New Zealand. Both have managed to look threatening at various times and had the opposition batsmen jumping. If there is going to be a result in this one, then expect these two to be at the forefront.
The other key on Day 5 for New Zealand, has to be Brendon McCullum. It is entirely likely that New Zealand will have some sort of outrageous run chase that you normally wouldn’t think possible. McCullum, particularly on a pitch playing like it is could be the key – if he promotes himself up the order then anything will appear chaseable.
The other thing to take into account here is that New Zealand’s opening bowlers got the ball to swing yesterday afternoon, and got some quite serious movement off the wicket. If the likes of Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood can do the same, then Australia could be left kicking themselves they didn’t accelerate more towards the end of Day 4.
The other thing here is Nathan Lyon. Having a consistent spinner is huge, and Lyon has the ability to knock the Kiwis open if they can get anything out of the wicket.
Ultimately though, it looks like it will all bubble down to a fifth day draw.
Join The Roar for live coverage of the final day from 1:15pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to comment below if you’re following along.
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Bobbo7
Guest
Yes and sadly I expect another concrete road in Adelaide with the team winning the toss not losing. Such a shame too see Australian pitches so flat and boring.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Even though this game ended in a predictable draw, we saw some magnificent batting from Taylor, Warner, Williamson, Smith and Voges. However the final say went to Mitchell Johnson, what a great career and fittingly finishes up on his home deck picking up the last two wickets of the game. The Guptill dismissal was typical of MJ and so happy he finished with a couple of wickets. Also great gesture by the Kiwi lads to provide the guard of honour when he came out to bat. He showed his trademark power with some beligerant hitting. To finish 4th on the all time wicket list behind our 3 greatest ever bowlers shows what a bowler he was, he was a great athlete and a terrific bloke. All the best to you MJ !
Alex L
Roar Rookie
To describe that game as having meandered to a conclusion would be uncharitable to the word meandered..
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
That ends a game that will be remembered for individual performances rather than the spectacle as a whole. In the end a draw was always a likely result with the batsmen dominant and the pitch flat. Warner and Taylor both made incredible double hundreds while Smith, Khawaja, Voges and Williamson all made centuries of their own. Starc and Southee offered some respite for their sides with the ball but were ultimately unable to change the course of the game. The match also signifies the end of Mitchell Johnson's career as he retires at his home ground. He was denied another spell due to bad light, but that in a sense is fitting as his final spell in test cricket was a venomous one that empitomised his career.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Johnson is applauded off the field as Starc and Hazlewood carry him on their shoulders.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
THAT"S IT, THE GAME ENDS IN A DRAW The umpires decide it is too dark, there will not be another Mitchell Johnson today or in international cricket.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
This pair is cruising for NZ and there is nothing Marsh has been able to do about it. It seemed he was trying to hit the crack for a lot of that over but wasn't able to find it. NEW ZEALAND – 2/102 (27th)
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Williamson has picked off anything straight and there works two more runs as Marsh drifts onto his pads.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
NZ are playing Lyon very well, Taylor is playing him very aggressively whereas Williamson is just working the singles. NEW ZEALAND – 2/100 (27th)
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Taylor middles the sweep shot four the first time today and picks the gap as well for four.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Another decent over from Marsh. He has bowled a good line and length in his first two overs but is yet to genuinely trouble the batters. NEW ZEALAND – 2/94 (26th)
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Marsh tried to bounce Williamson, but bowling short to him has simply not worked as he pulls two more runs.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
There is a man next to the pitch in a catching position on the leg side for Marsh.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Lyon started the over poorly but bounced back after being hit for four and managed to pose a bit of a threat with the odd ball getting some spin. NEW ZEALAND – 2/91 (25th)
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
LBW APPEAL Only a half step forward from Taylor as Lyon beat the inside edge with sheer spin. It seems the height of the ball may have foiled the appeal.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Williamson has almost exclusively played Lyon off the back foot and works another ball for a single behind square on the leg side.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Lyon has switched ends but doesn't start well, dropping short and having Williamson pull him for four.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Marsh has started pretty well there though the NZ batters continue to look very assured at the crease. It is strange to think of how out of sorts Ross Taylor looked just a few days ago. NEW ZEALAND – 2/85 (24th)
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Marsh tries a yorker, it tails in a bit as well, but Taylor works the ball well to the leg side for two.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Marsh starts well, though only at 126, as Taylor gets forward to defend.