Australia secure early advantage

Michael Kasprowicz justified his place in Australia's starting XI with three top-order wickets to put the home side in control on Day 1 of the First Test against New Zealand and the Gabba. The New Zealand batsmen struggled after opting to bat first on a good pitch, though half-centuries from Matthew Sinclair and Jacob Oram enabled them to reach 7/250 at Stumps.

Mark Richardson began in typically defensive fashion, prodding his way to 19 from 49 deliveries. Michael Kasprowicz, retained at the expense of 12th Man Brett Lee, reaffirmed his worth by removing Richardson with a leg-cutter edged to Ponting at slip. This wicket heralded the arrival of Kiwi Captain Stephen Fleming, no doubt wary of the pre-match taunts of Glenn McGrath. He needn't have worried though, as Kasprowicz required just three balls to remove Fleming for nought, in similar manner to Richardson.

From 2/26, Sinclair and Styris began a subdued recovery but were on the back foot again as Kasprowicz took his third wicket shortly after lunch. Styris was the victim this time, edging to 'keeper Adam Gilchrist. New Zealand averted a collapse thanks mainly to two uncharacteristic dropped catches by Kasprowicz and Darren Lehmann, both from the blade of Nathan Astle.

Astle failed to capitalise on being dropped on 16 and 18, adding only one further run before Michael Clarke brightened Australia's lethargic fielding efforts. Running in from point, Clarke threw down the stumps at the non-striker's end to see Astle soundly beaten. Sinclair's resistance ended finally on 69, as Jason Gillespie induced an edge which was caught low to the ground by Ricky Ponting.

Craig McMillan, retained in favour of young star Hamish Marshall, attempted to give the innings some much-needed impetus by targeting Shane Warne. A bizarre innings of 23 followed, which included two fours, a six over long-on and ended ultimately when he danced down the track only to edge to Gilchrist, who stumped him to make doubly sure. Warne struck again soon later as McCullum fell for just 10, albeit to a contentious stumping.

Allrounder Jacob Oram brought with him a sensible batting display, in contrast to McMillan, and a positive batting display, in contrast to the NZ top-order. An impressive array of pull shots and drives enabled him to resuscitate New Zealand's innings from the perils of 5/138 and later 7/206, reaching 63* in the process. Support from Vettori (13*) lifted the visitors to 7/250 at Stumps, though even 300 would seem to be below-par on an impeccable Gabba wicket.

Progress Score: Stumps Day 1
NEW ZEALAND 7/250 (90 overs)
MS Sinclair 69, JDP Oram 63*
MS Kasprowicz 3/54, SK Warne 2/65

Posted by Adam