Black to the Future (NZ story)

[_Ed_]

Day 3

Dream day for New Zealand

There was stunned silence at the 'Gabba as New Zealand stormed into a match-winning position on the third day of the first Test against Australia.

Resuming on 258-7, New Zealand made it to 307 thanks to Vettori (48) and Mills (25). That left Australia with a first innings lead of 26, a lead that Jaques and Hayden quickly looked to add to. But just before the lunch break Mills struck, having Jaques caught at slip for 13.

Lunch
Australia 27-1
Session score: New Zealand 49-3, Australia 27-1
Session: New Zealand
Star of the session: K.Mills - crucial runs and a huge wicket.

The second session was one of the most remarkable seen in many years, as seven Australian wickets tumbled in the two hour period. Chief destroyer was Jacob Oram, who took out Watson, Katich and Haddin. Patel took the big wicket of first-innings top-scorer Ponting, who was looking extremely dangerous in his 42-ball 40.

Tea
Australia 132-8
Session score: 105-7
Session: New Zealand
Star of the session: J.Oram - three wickets.

Oram returned to add his fourth wicket (Noffke) just after the break, and Vettori took the final wicket.

Chasing 163, Guptill and Spearman began promisingly. But when Spearman left for 19, a mini-collapse followed with the wickets of Fulton (0) and Taylor (4). Guptill steadied the ship though, and was well supported by Vincent through to stumps.

Stumps
New Zealand 75-3
Session score: Australia 4-2, New Zealand 75-3
Session: New Zealand
Star of the session: M.Guptill - battled his way out of a form slump and kept the chase on track.

Stumps Summary
Australia 333
Ponting 103
Katich 71
Vettori 3-57
Patel 3-58

New Zealand 307
Fulton 129
Vettori 48
Johnson 4-80
Clark 3-29

Australia 136
Ponting 40
Lee 28*
Oram 4-49
Patel 2-30

New Zealand 75-3
Guptill 30*
Vincent 22*
Johnson 2-18
Clark 1-14

New Zealand need 88 more runs to win.

Wow! That second session was unbelievable. Feeling pretty good about this!

 

[_Ed_]

Day 4

New Zealand take 1-0 series lead with 5-wicket win

New Zealand wrapped up a stunning win over Australia on the fourth morning of the first Test, reaching the target of 163 with five wickets in hand.

They lost overnight batsmen Vincent (30) and Guptill (42) within the first hour, but Oram & McCullum put on 66 runs for the sixth wicket and guided the team home.

 

[Athlai]

5-88 to Jeeves. Nice.

 

[_Ed_]

Pretty amazing result for us there. I was hoping to draw one Test at best, so I'm really happy to get a win. They'll come back hard at us in the next two though, so can't get too confident.

Guptill's 42 was good, but he was out for 1 in the first innings so he hasn't done enough to be safe just yet. Apart from Taylor, all the batsmen had at least one decent knock. Very happy with all of the bowlers.

So no changes for the next game I think.

 

[_Ed_]

Second Test, Adelaide

NZ: No changes
Australia: No changes

Pitch looks like a typical Adelaide belter, perfect for batting.

Australia won the toss and elected to bat first.

 

[_Ed_]

Day 1

Late comeback keeps NZ in the game

Despite a strong final session by the New Zealand bowlers, Australia have the advantage after the first day at Adelaide. That is mostly thanks to Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey, who both scored centuries in a magnificent 3rd wicket partnership of 212.

The day began brilliantly for New Zealand as Australia fell to 11-2, with Mills and McKay picking up the wickets of Hayden (0) and Jaques (3). But for most of the next four hours Australia were firmly in control. Ponting came out in an attacking frame of mind, bringing up his 50 from just 58 balls.

Lunch
Australia 116-2
Session score: 116-2
Session: Australia
Star of the session: Ponting - 74* at the break

The two picked up where they left off after lunch, and there was nothing the bowlers could do as the score soared. Ponting brought up his second century in his last three innings with a magnificent cover drive for four.

But just before tea McCullum gave the ball to Oram, who was smashed for 28 from just three overs in the morning session. The change worked perfectly as Oram produced a double wicket maiden, removing Ponting and following immediately with the new batsman Watson.

Tea
Australia 223-4
Session score: 107-2
Session: Australia
Star of the session: Oram - ended the partnership with a magic over

Hussey and Katich threatened to start another meaningful partnership in the final session, but the Kiwis took the new ball as soon as it was available and Mills and McKay both produced sensational spells. Mills removed Hussey and Haddin, and McKay took care of the dangerous-looking Katich with a beauty of a yorker. Lee and Noffke gave the Aussies something to smile about in the last half hour of the day, hitting a few boundaries in an unbeaten stand of 37.

Stumps
Australia 337-7
Session score: 114-3
Session: New Zealand
Star of the session: Mills - two big wickets


Summary

Australia 337-7
Hussey 129
Ponting 117
Not out: Lee 23, Noffke 25

Mills 3-54
Oram 2-60
McKay 2-75

Pretty happy with that, especially after that partnership. Was feeling pretty uncomfortable at 223-2!

 

[Precambrian]

Excellent going. Looking forward to seeing a Kiwi series win in Aus

 

[_Ed_]

Day 2

NZ in trouble despite Oram's heroics

New Zealand are facing a big first innings deficit, despite the all-round brilliance of Jacob Oram.

With Australia resuming on 337-7, New Zealand were looking to wrap the tail up as quickly as possible, but Brett Lee had other ideas. Lee scored a sensational 70 from 79 balls, guiding Australia through to a strong first innings score of 400 all out. Oram took the last three wickets to finish with five for the innings.

In response the New Zealanders started brilliantly, with Guptill and Spearman finding the boundary frequently in a 41-run opening partnership. It was too good to last though, Guptill out lbw to Johnson for a run-a-ball 24.

Lunch
New Zealand 58-1
Session score: Australia 63-3, New Zealand 58-1
Session: New Zealand
Star of the session: Lee - smashed 70.

It was the afternoon session that did the damage to New Zealand's hopes, losing the wickets of Fulton, Taylor, Vincent and Spearman in quick succession. Even the follow-on mark of 201 looked a long way away at tea.

Tea
New Zealand 154-5
Session score: 96-4
Session: Australia
Star of the session: Johnson - his second and third wickets for the innings

After tea things improved for the Kiwis with a partnership of 89 between Oram and McCullum. Both looked to be playing well, hitting regular boundaries, and New Zealand's hopes began to rise again. But McCullum went for 40 and again Australia's 400 looked a long way away. But Oram kept going, playing his way to an excellent 76 before falling to Noffke. New Zealand probably won the final session, but are still a long way behind the Aussies in the match.

Stumps
New Zealand 286-7
Session score: 132-2
Session: New Zealand
Star of the session: Oram - followed his 5fer with a fast 50


Summary

Australia 400
Hussey 129
Ponting 117
Lee 70

Oram 5-82
Mills 3-66

New Zealand 286-7
Oram 76
Spearman 63
Not out: Vettori 23, Mills 1

Johnson 3-73
Watson 2-54

Australia lead by 114 runs.

We're in a wee bit of a pickle here. Think we're going to be chasing something big in the 4th innings, hope we bat a bit better then!

 

[Athlai]

Jeeves to ton up.

 

[_Ed_]

Jeeves to ton up.

He might have if someone had stayed there with him! Stranded on 38 not out.

Our final score was 376, full details of the day's play coming soon.

 

[_Ed_]

Day 3

Australia in command after Jaques ton

Australia are in a dominant position at the end of the third day, leading by 274 runs with 8 wickets in hand at stumps.

New Zealand resumed at 286-7, and managed to add 90 runs for their last three wickets thanks to Mills (51) and Patel (38*). Those were crucial runs, shrinking Australia's first innings lead to just 24 runs.

Lunch
Australia 16-0
Session score: New Zealand 90-3, Australia 16-0
Session: New Zealand
Star of the session: Mills & Patel - partnership of 77

Things started badly for Australia in response, losing the early wickets of Hayden (18) and Ponting (17). But, like in the first innings, a big third wicket partnership got things back on track. Jaques was playing particularly well, making his way through to 72 at the end of the session.

Tea
Australia 146-2
Session score: 130-2
Session: Australia
Star of the session: Jaques - chanceless half-century

Jaques continued his spectacular innings after the break, and was ably supported by first-innings star Hussey. No wickets were lost in the final session as Australia moved through to a position from which it is hard to see them losing.

Stumps
Australia 250-2
Session score: 104-0
Session: Australia
Star of the session: Jaques - brilliant century


Summary

Australia 400

New Zealand 376
Oram 76
Spearman 63
Mills 51

Watson 4-66
Johnson 3-97

Australia 250-2
Jaques 133*
Hussey 72*

Patel 1-44
Mills 1-61

Not looking good for NZ.

 

[_Ed_]

Day 4

Good day for NZ but still a long way to go

A good bowling performance was followed up by a scintillating 95 from Martin Guptill to ensure that the fourth day was a good one for New Zealand, but they still require a further 255 runs on the last day with six wickets in hand.

The early part of the day was won convincingly by Australia, with Phil Jaques carrying on from his overnight score of 133 to a career-best 182. But then Oram came in and continued his superb all-round match with three wickets, including that of Jaques, to hugely improve New Zealand's mood at the lunch break.

Lunch
Australia 358-6
Session score: 108-4
Session: New Zealand
Star of the session: Oram - 3 wickets

Wickets continued to fall after the break, and New Zealand's wish of batting before tea was granted. Chasing an imposing 429, the Kiwis began well but lost the wicket of Spearman (16) near the end of the session.

Tea
New Zealand 49-1
Session score: Australia 46-4, New Zealand 49-1
Session: New Zealand
Star of the session: Mills - 2 wickets

The third session was all about Guptill. He clubbed 15 fours in his career-best knock, which came from just 111 balls, and it looked like he was heading for a magnificent maiden century but fell just five runs short when caught by Hussey off the bowling of Noffke.

Stumps
New Zealand 174-4
Session score: 125-3
Session: New Zealand
Star of the session: Guptill - 95 (111)


Summary

Australia 400

New Zealand 376

Australia 404
Jaques 182
Hussey 81
Mills 4-89
Oram 3-90

New Zealand 174-4 (Target: 429)
Guptill 95
Vincent 21*
Not out: Vincent 21, McCullum 3
Noffke 2-24
Johnson 1-42

New Zealand require another 255 to win.


We've got a shot I guess, but it's pretty tough. One real positive was the innings of Guptill, I was wondering who I was going to replace him with if he didn't start making runs. Don't have to worry about that now.

 

[Somerset]

So long as your batsmen retain their wickets I guess you've got a chance, even if it is a long shot, of winning the game. Good luck for day five.

 

[_Ed_]

Day 5

NZ go down swinging

The series is all tied up after Australia wrapped up a 59-run win over New Zealand on the fifth day.

The New Zealanders went out with a bang though - Oram hit 47 off 58 balls, Vettori 31 off 52, Mills 43 off 63 and Patel 29 off just 15.


We never really had a chance after losing Vincent and McCullum early in the day, so I thought I'd get them to hit out a bit and see what happened. Was a bit of fun at least. Noffke ended up getting hit for 70 from just 10 overs!

Oram was NZ's best player in the match - 5-82, 76, 3-90 and 47. Great performance.

A reason why ICC is better than real life - there's a 3rd Test!

 

[_Ed_]

Third Test, Somewhere (Perth maybe? Since there's no 3rd Test in real life it could be anywhere...let's say Alice Springs!)

NZ: Gillespie in for McKay - McKay bowled poorly at Adelaide, Gillespie has been in good form for Wellington.
Aus: No changes

The pitch is an absolute road.

Australia won the toss (3rd time in a row) and have, hugely surprisingly, elected to bat.

 

[_Ed_]

Day 1

Australia throw it away after great start

Australia had the chance to stamp their authority on the third and deciding Test after losing just one wicket in the morning session. But instead they collapsed to a precarious 265-7 on a perfect batting pitch.

The first session went perfectly to plan, despite losing the early wicket of Hayden. Jaques and Ponting not only steadied the ship after that early loss, but put their feet down on the accelerator.

Lunch
Australia 120-1
Session: Australia
Star of the session: Jaques - 69*

But after lunch it all went wrong. Vettori had Jaques lbw for 75 and Oram, who had been expensive in the first session, returned to the attack in style with the wickets of Ponting (who was within sight of his third century of the series) and Watson, both clean bowled.

Tea
Australia 199-4
Session score: 79-3
Session: New Zealand
Star of the session: Oram - two wickets

The final session went much the same way as the second, but this time it was Vettori doing the damage - Katich caught at short leg, Lee stumped. When Mills removed the stubborn Hussey (36) with the new ball, Australia were in deep trouble.

Stumps
Australia 265-7
Session score: 66-3
Session: New Zealand
Star of the session: Vettori - two wickets


Summary

Australia 265-7
Ponting 81
Jaques 75
Not out: Haddin 41, Noffke 6
Vettori 3-60
Mills 2-50
Oram 2-56

I was pretty depressed at 120-1, but wow. Terrific last two sessions. Hope we can clean up the tail reasonably quickly on the second morning and get a good score on the board.

 

[_Ed_]

Day 2

Late collapse brings Australia back into the game

Peter Fulton and Ross Taylor put on 129 runs for the 3rd wicket, setting New Zealand up for a substantial first innings lead. But Australia came back in the last session with five wickets, bringing back to life their hopes of winning the game

Australia resumed on 265-7 and were bundled out for 289, with Jeetan Patel taking two of the last three wickets and Oram the other one. The New Zealanders started their reply well, losing only Guptill (19) in the remainder of the first session.

Lunch
New Zealand 48-1
Session score: Australia 24-3, New Zealand 48-1
Session: New Zealand
Star of the session: Patel - two wickets

Spearman was dismissed early in the afternoon session, but that brought Fulton and Taylor together. They batted out the rest of the session for no further loss, and scored at a good rate.

Tea
New Zealand 167-2
Session score: 119-1
Session: New Zealand
Star of the session: Fulton - 84*

Soon after the break Taylor reached 50, and shortly afterwards Fulton brought up his second century in the series and third of his career. But then came the collapse - Fulton, Taylor, McCullum, Oram and Vettori all fell in the last hour of the day as Australia fought back strongly.

Stumps
New Zealand 304-7
Session score: 137-5
Session: Australia
Star of the session: Johnson - three wickets


Summary

Australia 289
Ponting 81
Jaques 75
Vettori 3-60
Oram 3-74

New Zealand 304-7
Fulton 114
Taylor 57
Not out: Vincent 44, Mills 5
Johnson 4-69
Watson 1-59

New Zealand lead by 15 runs.


It was looking so good at 211-2, but not so great now. We've still got a bit of a lead though, and both Mills and Patel are in good form with the bat so we might be able to add to that lead on the third day. Hope so.

 

[Precambrian]

Go Jeeves!

 

[Somerset]

Looking good at the moment, hopefully you can extend that lead on day three and then go about bowling Australia out relatively cheaply.

 

[inbox24]

I think in ICC, Johnson does best by coming around the wicket to the right handers, that way he can remove the tail quickly.