Cricket analysts often overstate the importance of a morning session. But in the case of this year’s Boxing Day Test, Friday’s opening two hours will dictate whether New Zealand go home series losers or live to fight on.
Should Australia go beyond 400 and bat well into the second session on Day 2 at the MCG, it would become an almost impossible task for the Kiwis. Of course nothing less than a win will keep them in the series. As such, they must strike early on Day 2, otherwise dreams of replicating the series-winning Black Caps side 1985-86 will slip from their hands.
To do so they’ll need to remove the indomitable Steve Smith, who – likely to the annoyance of Kane Williamson and co – conceded he ‘never felt in’ on the controversial MCG wicket despite peeling off yet another considerable score on the famous ground.
The Kiwis must also work their way through an impressively long Australian tail, a fact that shouldn’t be overlooked in the context of this Test match. With Mitchell Starc likely to bat at No. 10 – a player who averages over 50 at the MCG – one or two early wickets won’t suffice. They need to take wickets in clusters, something they’ve thus far proved unable to do.
(Visionhaus)
The Black Caps fought hard in front of over 80,000 at the MCG on Boxing Day, as they always do. But as they’ve also shown that since arriving in Australia they seemingly lack the cutting edge required to grab the initiative on these shores. Increasingly there are questions whether this attack, on flatter Australian pitches, can take the 20 wickets required to win a Test match. Without a bowler capable of exceeding 140 kilometres per hour or one who can generate sufficient spin to cause issues early in a Test match, they at times lack penetration, waiting for their opposition to blink, rather than forcing eyes shut themselves.
Characteristically the discipline of Kane Williamson’s bowlers was unyielding as the run rate never got away from them on Boxing Day. But when wickets were needed to accelerate a game in which they must force a result they failed to ask enough questions. Having a man dubbed the game’s best ‘problem-solver’ at the other end, of course, doesn’t help.
The Kiwis dared to dream early on Boxing Day. Trent Boult lit up the G while patrons were still strolling in from their Christmas slumber, bowling hard-handed to Joe Burns with a beautiful inswinger. But just one further wicket in the first session meant they wouldn’t capitalise on the decision to bowl first. While Smith went into lunch grumpy at the umpires, Justin Langer would have been more than pleased with his side’s position as the sun broke through the clouds.
Marnus Labuschagne and Smith then edged the patience game, ticking it over to 144 until a stroke of luck for New Zealand saw the Queenslander chop on via the forearm. Ian Smith would say during this partnership that his country were “bowling for a mistake” rather than forcing a breakthrough. Mitchell Santner’s ineffectiveness (0-34 off seven overs) again hurt the tourists as Kane Williamson’s faith in his spinner must be beginning to wane. His figures for the series now read 0-180. Their plan to use him as, at worst, a holding bowler has also not eventuated as runs have flowed at 3.8 an over from the 27-year-old.
The Kiwis would get on top of Matthew Wade later in the day, the left-hander leading a charmed life on his way to a streaky 38. After he departed Travis Head, by contrast, would look fairly comfortable even against the second new ball. It’s not a stretch to say that Friday is perhaps the most important day of his short Test career, a huge opportunity to bed down his spot in the middle order.
The Kiwis know they must strike early on a wicket that is unlikely to give them the assistance they wished for at the toss. Despite the relatively positive feedback about the MCG wicket, Boult would remark during the day’s final drinks break that it was “still on the slower side”. Soon after, a Tim Southee delivery with the new Kookaburra would land well short of BJ Watling behind the stumps. While some have gone early declaring the pitch a pass mark just one-fifth of the way into the Test match, Williamson knows he’s unlikely to get much from the much-discussed 22-yard strip on Friday.
As such, he needs something special from his bowlers. And fast.
Micko
Roar Rookie
He made Allan Border sh*t his pants when he pulled a gun out of his pocket in the changerooms once! :stoked:
Morsie
Guest
Suck it up like a man wigeye, its what we have to endure in the rugby every bloody year!~!!!
Wigeye
Guest
Havnt seen a ball bowled but what an embarrasment being a kiwi i am, home in north bali back wa on 8th work, well done oz,sorry to the fans on both sides,enough from me
Jeff
Roar Rookie
No, I meant it shouldn't have been left too soft before play given what happened last match. So was thinking divots may not have been such in issue this game.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Who is this more reliable opener you speak of?
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Coupla differences though, McMillan was a far better bat and a world class sledger!
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Not exactly sure what you mean, Jeff, but divots result from soft surfaces. Not sure if you're inferring it was deliberate, if so, no I don't think it was left soft. I believe the curators are struggling between developing a track with early life, with a thought to lasting 5 days and an eye on the temp gauge. I don't however believe they were trying to create divots.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
That's harsh. He got the delivery every left armer strives for, where you create the gate to hit the stumps. Burns has an average of 40, 4 tons opening with a hs of 180. He deserves his spot, he just got a pearler.
Paul
Roar Guru
spot on Jeff. I thoroughly enjoy listening the Kiwi cricket commentators when they're calling the Black Caps games. They're interesting, relevant and have just that hint of bias without being boorish.
dungerBob
Roar Rookie
Patto bowled well today. The makeshift opener made a mess of Starcs figures but he looked dangerous as well and Cummins was his usual self. If they bowl like that again tomorrow it could be a tough day for the Kiwi's. Hopefully Lyon will be on song just to round it out. If not, give Marnus and/or Travis a bowl. .. The pitch definitely has more life than usual, especially from the end Starc was bowling to, but a few have kept low as well. Hopefully it will continue to deteriorate.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Do you think the wicket was left soft enough before start of play to result in divots though?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Yep. Leave Labu as the #3. Move Burns to the middle order IF a spot presents itself - not sure Wade deserves to lose his spot to Burns at this stage though based on performances by each.
badmanners
Roar Rookie
You might want to have a look at who has the better bowling average. Batting averages are almost identical.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I rate Ian Smith as a commentator. Some may consider he doesn't come across as the sharpest tool in the shed (which would be unkind and I think unfair). And he certainly wears his heart on sleeve; I don't mind that so long as one is objective - and I think he is. What I like most though - as you noted Paul - is he doesn't leave anyone guessing as to what he is thinking; he calls it like he sees it. Opinions are best served objectively; natural bias/preference is fine for mine, that's sport - you plant your flag in the ground in a tribal sense. Just so long as the opinions are not being delivered one-eyed, because that's boring and tiresome IMO and that's not Smith in my view; he's just passionate.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Yeah they probably did. But it was the correct decision to bowl first. Execution is another matter.
Micko
Roar Rookie
I'm convinced Burns is a better middle order player than opener. Labuschagne could be an opener now, but it would seem silly to move him as he's having so much success at #3.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Brian McMillan could get the pace up though, and could trouble the batsmen.
Micko
Roar Rookie
1) NZ did the wrong things pre-tour. Should’ve picked their best team capable of beating Australia here, which means England games should’ve featured Ferguson on debut in place of Southee, (who only got three cheap wickets due to Aussies going into T20 mode today) plus a proper attacking Test spinner like Somerville (especially) and Patel, who might actually take wickets (unlike Santner). Plus Ravel should’ve been dropped before he even arrived in Australia. 2) Wade is only in short term due to the dire shortage of in-form quality batsmen at Shield level , and the bizarre epidemic of “mental illness” that plagues young prodigy Will Pucovski, whose been tipped to make his debut for more than a year now, then opting to leave to deal with his personal issues when approaching possible Test selection. Kurtis Patterson seems to have disappeared, apparently he suffered a bad hamstring or knee injury or something?
Morsie
Guest
I'm beginning to wonder if perhaps this is the nucleus of another GREAT Australian team. Its easy to say "Its only New Zealand", but they rated at 2 in the world. I guess next summer will be the real test. A more reliable opener than Burns would be good. Tim Paine is a fine and reliable captain, keeper, and batsman, and should have the place until he's given a tap, or retires, but Carey is a real long term prospect. Plenty waiting to take Wade's place and that just about wraps it up. Boom, bring on India, bring 'em on anyway!!!
John
Guest
Terrible decision by Williamson to bowl first such a negative thing to do. This series is over Australia will win this game easily. Don't remember the last time sending a team in to bat has worked in Australian conditions especially when you are 1 nil down in the series.