New Zealand sliding to defeat

Jacob Oram and Brendan McCullum delayed the inevitable by taking the Second Test into a fifth day as New Zealand headed for another defeat on the back of a clinical Australian bowling performance. New Zealand finished the day on 5/149, needing an improbable 315 more runs to win on the fifth day.

Resuming on 57 without loss, Australia's openers slowly consolidated their position, before first-innings double centurion Justin Langer fell LBW to Paul Wiseman on 46. Matthew Hayden reached his second half-century of the match but was again unable to score three figures as he feathered a catch to wicketkeeper McCullum on 54. That was to be the last wicket Australia lost, as Ponting declared the innings closed on 2/139, an overall lead of 463. Curiously, all of New Zealand's wickets during the match were taken by the spin duo of Wiseman and Vettori.

After the declaration New Zealand may have entertained thoughts of batting out the minimum 143 overs to secure a draw, but the Kiwi top-order was again confounded by the Australian quicks. Sinclair fell LBW to Gillespie for 2, his entire match tally, before McGrath picked up the crucial wicket of Stephen Fleming, who had troubled Australia in the first innings with a composed 83. Fleming was bowled off his pad for only 3 - McGrath, not initially realising the ball had deflected onto the stumps, appealed for LBW, before realising what had occurred.

Mark Richardson's dismal tour continued as he edged Kasprowicz to slips for 16, as did Styris off Warne for 8. At 4/34, it was entirely likely that the match not reach a fifth day. Astle (38), Oram (40*) and McCullum (34*) however at least saved the tourists this indignity, but almost certainly will not be able to continue their resistance throughout the remainder of the match.

Progress Score - Stumps Day 4
AUSTRALIA (1st inns) 8/575d. off 155.2 overs
(Langer 215, Lehmann 81; Vettori 5-152)
NEW ZEALAND (1st inns) 251 all out off 88.1 overs
(Fleming 83; McGrath 4-66)
AUSTRALIA (2nd inns) 2/139d. off 56 overs
(Hayden 54; Vettori 1-35)
NEW ZEALAND (2nd inns) 5/149 off 53 overs
(Oram 40*; McGrath 1-14)

Posted by Adam