Day 2: Match in the balance

An undefeated Jacob Oram century and a late Aussie fight-back have ensured that the 2nd day of the first trans-Tasman test remains in the balance.

After resuming the day on 7/250, with Jacob Oram on 63 and Daniel Vettori 13, the Kiwis started poorly, losing Vettori to Kasprowicz, caught at first slip by Warne in just the fifth over for 21.

However, Oram was still at the crease and began to make his presence felt as runs began to flow from his blade. He received good assistance from Kyle Mills and the pair built a solid partnership, frustrating the Aussies who looked sloppy in the field.

Ricky Ponting’s ploy to give Oram singles to expose the tail failed as the wicket they had been expecting never came until Mills, who was on 29, edged Warne to first slip, leaving the New Zealanders on 9/317 with Oram still there at the other end eyeing his century on 91.

Luckily for Oram, the number 11, Chris Martin, held up his end, allowing him to bring up his hundred off just166 balls. From that point on, he cut loose with some booming sixes over cover, scoring his last 25 runs off just 11 balls before Martin was finally dismissed by Warne for a duck.Oram’s magnificent undefeated innings of 126 not out included 12 fours and 3 sixes.

The Kiwis would’ve been happy with their tail-end fight back, the last 5 wickets accounting for 215 of a total of 353 runs. Kasprowicz and Warne were the pick of the Aussie bowlers, both taking 4 wickets.

The home side began their innings shakily, Hayden falling LBW to Kyle Mills only 6 overs into the innings for 8. Langer and Ponting set about stabilizing the innings, while maintaining a healthy run rate. They managed to survive until the tea break with Ponting on 39, Langer 34 and the score 1/84.

However, shortly after the interval Langer, having not yet added to his total, was trapped LBW to a Vettori off-spinner, which after hitting a crack came on to Langer quicker than he expected.

The inform Martyn came to the crease and looked right at home. Ponting brought up his half-century with a glorious on-drive but then was immeadiatly caught at square leg by Nathan Astle off a Chris Martin bouncer.

The next man at the crease, Lehman, looked indecisive and Vettori was quick to capatilise, picking him up caught behind after Lehman misjudged a shortish ball outside off-stump.

Australia had now lost 3 wickets in quick succession and were desperate to not lose any wickets before the close of play. Clarke, playing his first Test on home soil, showed maturity beyond his experience and began to build a solid partnership with Martyn who was cruising at the other end.

Fleming’s plan to restrict the scoring through point, both Martyn and Clarke’s strongest areas, failed as both batsmen pierced the gap on several occasions, sending ball all the way to the fence.

The pair helped Australia ended the day on 197 for the loss of 4 wickets, with Martyn on another half-century and Clarke a threatening 31.

Progress Score – Stumps Day 2

New Zealand 353 (Oram 126*, Sinclair 69, Kasprowicz 4-90, Warne 4-97)

Australia 4 for 197 (Martyn 59*, Ponting 51, Vettori 2/49)

Australia trials New Zealand by 156 runs.


Posted by Alex