Such is the importance of winning the toss, especially in this pink-ball Test, that if that didn’t go New Zealand’s way on the first day, they were going to face a dreadful set of events on the third.
Arriving in Australia, the expectations were sky-high for the Black Caps. They had a superior ranking to the Australians. They hadn’t lost (and still haven’t, yet) a Test series since 2017, but all the positive build-up was overshadowed by their resounding defeats Down Under over the years.
The visitors had a side with all the ingredients in it, especially the maturity they found since their 2015 defeat in Australia during Brendon McCullum’s captaincy.
Nevertheless, as things stand at the end of the third day, optimism about the results this series have been the opposite to their performances.
Their bowling display was lion-hearted, despite being one bowler short. The Kiwi pace spearheads laboured for precisely 146 overs without letting the home side completely get away. Instead, Neil Wagner and Tim Southee made sure to bowl out the Australians in the first innings and caused a late-night collapse in the second.
Sadly, the duo are the ones still keeping the visitors in the game.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
It has always been their bowling that has put in the hard yards when they come across the Tasman. The Kiwis managed to script their three victories in Australia to date with sensational bowling performances.
Unfortunately, the overreliance on the attack has continued. Scoring only 160 on what was a relatively easy deck to bat on has left them to facing a large fourth-innings target when the pitch should allow Nathan Lyon and Marnus Labuschagne to spit fire.
Both the sides faced problems with short-pitched bowling. In addition to this threat, though, Nathan Lyon seemed threatening right from the outset in New Zealand’s first innings.
But New Zealand’s pacemen kept digging deeper and deeper in the final session to help their batsmen as much as possible, with their uninterrupted spells of seven and ten overs by Southee and Wagner respectively. It was as if the more he kept banging the ball in short, the more energy and intensity Wagner received.
Should New Zealand wrap up the tail quickly in another sweltering fourth day of heat, their batsmen would have a shot at finishing what Pakistan couldn’t in a similar Test back in 2016.
But time will tell whether it’s a battle of survival or if Kane Williamson’s men soar above the demonic patches in Perth to engrave a new chapter in Black Caps history.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The marketing campaign rose, the mystery of Pakistan first, then our greatest rivals according to Bruce Macavaney. Going to Perth without a lead in match is absurd. Pakistan were understrength with players not bothering to come, and to top it all of you now have crickets musical mercenary coming to Big Bash , can he launch an Aussie musical career now that Bolywood has passed up on him.
JamesH
Roar Guru
What are you talking about? New Zealand lost precisely half of their wickets in the daylight sessions, losing 5/57 early on day 3 (including Taylor, Watling and de Grandhomme) and then 5/98 before tea on day 4. That's a total of 10/155 in daylight hours and 10/182 in the final sessions where shadows and lights are a factor. Statistically, their batting was worse in the sunshine. Plus, they didn't really even face Hazlewood, while the number one bowler in the world, Cummins, only took 3 wickets for the match. There's no hiding the fact that their batting in Perth was a horror show, no matter what excuses we might make for them. They're a far better batting unit than this last test showed. I fully expect their batting to bounce back on the flatter MCG wicket, where they won't have to deal with pace and bounce, but then Australia's batsmen will also find it easier.
Matt
Guest
Well, you were correct on one point. They performed better second time around, by a whole 5 runs. The test team rankings are a joke. NZ have played 8 out of the last 10 test series at home, with 8 of those series being only 2 tests ( Aus have had 4 ), meaning a victory is worth a lot more points than in a 4 or 5 test series which Aus have played. They have also not played India in the last 10 series, whereas Australia has twice. As well as home series twice against Bangladesh and once against the West Indies. Vastly overrated, and I think crowds will show it. A lot of Kiwis apparently coming for the Boxing Day test, and there are enough of them living in Sydney to lift the numbers, but I think they will be a lot less than India next year. I expect a better fight but the same result in the next 2 games. All the carry on about the pink ball under lights is a bit much. Both teams batted for 2 night sessions, and the margin was still nearly 300. Apart from the last night, NZ lost the vast majority their wickets while the sun was still shining. And while some are complaining about NZ not being used to the heat and bouncy pitches, maybe tour and see the world a bit more and get used to foreign conditions. If NZ can tour India, England and South Africa and still be number 2, I will gladly admit I am wrong about them. I really doubt it though.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Stop pretending to be Australian: you're not fooling anyone!
Republican
Guest
.......we are also under strength now, with no Hazelwood, so a very even contest ensues.
Republican
Guest
What a load of bull. The Kiwis, had they been in the position to bowl at us under lights, would be in in the box seat, as we are and potentially further in front. This will be realised in the harsh light of day in both the Melbourne and Sydney Tests, when these sides are pitted on a more level playing field. NZ will perform far better than us with bat I believe, as ours continue to underperform, which is what they have done for yonks, relying on one good batting innings and our bowling pedigree to ensure we remain competitive.
PB
Roar Rookie
Yeah, agree w /paul. A bit too early to tar this team with the (justified) brush of the past.
Aayushman
Roar Guru
How does it appear me writing off New Zealand? The series part is clearly not written by me. This is me merely headlining New Zealand's issues with pace, bounce, and even spin despite touring Australia since long.
Tanmoy Kar
Roar Rookie
The Kiwis have batted poorly in the first innings and conceded a lead of 250 was too much to recover.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
I don’t want to get into all that stuff about luck and swings and roundabouts but I do think it’s a pity we couldn’t have played and beaten a full strength Kiwi team with no excuses. Eg with Boult fit and no questions about advantage in the pitch and conditions- having a crack at the Kiwis with the new ball under lights, and with their openers playing on a half light / half shade pitch - don’t agree that batting was easy. in defence of their batsmen I would say they were a tad unlucky with the de Grandhomme decision and Nicholls’s strangle down the leg side: Head tried and failed to do the same thing about ten times with a leg side field set against him in the first innings, while Nicholls’ just did it against a loose ball. Catching also a difference in Australia’s favour- Smith’s catch vs Latham’s drop of Smith.
Paul
Roar Guru
So after 3 days of cricket, you appear to have written off the Black Caps chances for the series, Smudge? Yes the toss was a good one to win, but the real issue for the Kiwis was losing Lockie Ferguson after less than a dozen overs. Starc and Cummins showed what could be done with pace & accuracy and I suggest if Ferguson had been fit to bowl, he'd have given some of our guys some real hurry up. You also left two words of the following sentence "Both the sides faced problems with short-pitched bowling. " At night. Taylor played the short ball very well yesterday morning and both Burns & Warner seemed to have no issues until Warner lost patience. I'm sure the Black Caps batting will give a much better account of itself, second time round. Coming out to bat for the first time this tour, after two days in century temperatures, at night, against a pink ball and well rested bowlers was simply a tough ask. Yes the pitch will be playing more tricks but Australia will be asking 3 or 4 guys to shoulder the burden of 4 or 5. The last 2 days will be a real test of both side's fitness & character.