Magrat Garlick
Rather Mad Witch
2nd Test: Cricket Web XI vs New Zealand
at CWBCC Stadium
Scorecard
Ball By Ball
A grim ending on a dour fifth morning in front of low crowds; everything went wrong for the Webheads in the second Test today. Failed opportunities and overall reckless play resulted in an upset victory for the tourists, who worked hard and ground out every run, especially the lower order batsmen.
Cricket Web XI failed to take the advantage after batting first on a placid wicket, ending the first session at 100 for three with three soft dismissals and generally circumspect batting. This continued after lunch, when Brendon Hiini got two wickets with two balls and the Webheads had crashed to 129 for five. Hiini suddenly had three wickets with his slightly above military pace, and a large partnership was required.
It came. Mike Wilson has struggled to show his full potential with the bat, but finally got past cameo appearances when he smacked a run-a-ball century in the fightback. Chris Butler continued a fine resurgence in the middle order, registering 55, and Dave Richards also supported well from eight. Wilson ended with a career-best 125, while Hiini closed out the day with a fine caught-and-bowled; a five-for in his second Test.
A brace from Martin closed the innings for 374, and the situation seemed similar to the first match. New Zealand lost a wicket with the first ball, and should have had the other opener gone in the third over, but Mørk grassed a crucial chance, leaving Cumming to forge a fine partnership with the in-form Sinclair. A frustrated Demeza decided a yorker was the way to go in his next spell, and Cumming duly obliged with pad; gone for 27.
Demeza's strike force was really the only thing that got through the stolid New Zealanders, and Sinclair refused to be dislodged. Once again, he built a big innings, making 106 before another lbw decision went in favour of the hosts. 234 for five, with Oram also well settled on 60.
The much-needed breakthrough did not arrive in the evening session, though, with Oram and McCullum adding a further 85 to reduce the Cricket Web lead to shreds. Oram continued, gobsmacking Demeza, and it took Chris Butler to show the professionals how to do it; first ball a length delivery which Hiini inside edged, after Mørk had held a good catch to dismiss McCullum. Demeza, when given the chance, closed off the innings; two men, Sinclair and Oram, had provided 276 runs, and New Zealand held a lead of 52.
Like in the first Test, Cricket Web fought back with ease. Fulton shelled Mørk on nine, a crucial error, as Young was caught shortly afterwards by Ryder - it could have been 37 for two. Instead, Mørk dug in for another vital half-century. When he went at 72, though, dragging on a quicker one from Vettori, it seemed like New Zealand had gained the upper hand.
Butler and Jasotharan rebuilt, though, adding 78 before stumps. Everyone who came to the ground on the fourth day expected Jasotharan fireworks; yet, it took nine overs before Jasotharan got the first boundary, and that was off his thigh after a Mills short ball. Next over, he slogged out, and missed the ball cleanly - lbw for 43.
The new ball took care of the seventh wicket, Butler for 88, but by now the target had at least been elevated to levels that could be difficult for New Zealand to attain. That was good, because the next three wickets only yielded two runs: Collins and Pickup caught behind, Demeza caught at fourth slip.
273 to win. Bell went early, yet the Cricket Web bowlers failed to utilise helping conditions; Cumming played his best knock of the series, making 48 before Demeza cut things short again. Fulton, Sinclair and Ryder all stuck together, and with the Cricket Web bowlers too wide and too short, they were unable to capitalise. New Zealand took a memorable victory, while for Cricket Web the 1-1 series result will be a considerable step backwards.
Cricket Web XI 374 all out (95.2)
MW Wilson 125, DP Richards 57, CR Butler 55; BC Hiini 5/81, CS Martin 3/98
New Zealand 426 all out (115.5)
JDP Oram 170, MS Sinclair 106, BB McCullum 55; TJ Demeza 5/134, AAA Collins 3/68
Cricket Web XI 324 all out (86.1)
CR Butler 88, H Mørk 72, CS Martin 5/85, KD Mills 3/91
New Zealand 273 for five (70)
PG Fulton 94; TJ Demeza 3/31
New Zealand won by five wickets
Man of the Match: J. D. P. Oram (New Zealand)
at CWBCC Stadium
Scorecard
Ball By Ball
A grim ending on a dour fifth morning in front of low crowds; everything went wrong for the Webheads in the second Test today. Failed opportunities and overall reckless play resulted in an upset victory for the tourists, who worked hard and ground out every run, especially the lower order batsmen.
Cricket Web XI failed to take the advantage after batting first on a placid wicket, ending the first session at 100 for three with three soft dismissals and generally circumspect batting. This continued after lunch, when Brendon Hiini got two wickets with two balls and the Webheads had crashed to 129 for five. Hiini suddenly had three wickets with his slightly above military pace, and a large partnership was required.
It came. Mike Wilson has struggled to show his full potential with the bat, but finally got past cameo appearances when he smacked a run-a-ball century in the fightback. Chris Butler continued a fine resurgence in the middle order, registering 55, and Dave Richards also supported well from eight. Wilson ended with a career-best 125, while Hiini closed out the day with a fine caught-and-bowled; a five-for in his second Test.
A brace from Martin closed the innings for 374, and the situation seemed similar to the first match. New Zealand lost a wicket with the first ball, and should have had the other opener gone in the third over, but Mørk grassed a crucial chance, leaving Cumming to forge a fine partnership with the in-form Sinclair. A frustrated Demeza decided a yorker was the way to go in his next spell, and Cumming duly obliged with pad; gone for 27.
Demeza's strike force was really the only thing that got through the stolid New Zealanders, and Sinclair refused to be dislodged. Once again, he built a big innings, making 106 before another lbw decision went in favour of the hosts. 234 for five, with Oram also well settled on 60.
The much-needed breakthrough did not arrive in the evening session, though, with Oram and McCullum adding a further 85 to reduce the Cricket Web lead to shreds. Oram continued, gobsmacking Demeza, and it took Chris Butler to show the professionals how to do it; first ball a length delivery which Hiini inside edged, after Mørk had held a good catch to dismiss McCullum. Demeza, when given the chance, closed off the innings; two men, Sinclair and Oram, had provided 276 runs, and New Zealand held a lead of 52.
Like in the first Test, Cricket Web fought back with ease. Fulton shelled Mørk on nine, a crucial error, as Young was caught shortly afterwards by Ryder - it could have been 37 for two. Instead, Mørk dug in for another vital half-century. When he went at 72, though, dragging on a quicker one from Vettori, it seemed like New Zealand had gained the upper hand.
Butler and Jasotharan rebuilt, though, adding 78 before stumps. Everyone who came to the ground on the fourth day expected Jasotharan fireworks; yet, it took nine overs before Jasotharan got the first boundary, and that was off his thigh after a Mills short ball. Next over, he slogged out, and missed the ball cleanly - lbw for 43.
The new ball took care of the seventh wicket, Butler for 88, but by now the target had at least been elevated to levels that could be difficult for New Zealand to attain. That was good, because the next three wickets only yielded two runs: Collins and Pickup caught behind, Demeza caught at fourth slip.
273 to win. Bell went early, yet the Cricket Web bowlers failed to utilise helping conditions; Cumming played his best knock of the series, making 48 before Demeza cut things short again. Fulton, Sinclair and Ryder all stuck together, and with the Cricket Web bowlers too wide and too short, they were unable to capitalise. New Zealand took a memorable victory, while for Cricket Web the 1-1 series result will be a considerable step backwards.
Cricket Web XI 374 all out (95.2)
MW Wilson 125, DP Richards 57, CR Butler 55; BC Hiini 5/81, CS Martin 3/98
New Zealand 426 all out (115.5)
JDP Oram 170, MS Sinclair 106, BB McCullum 55; TJ Demeza 5/134, AAA Collins 3/68
Cricket Web XI 324 all out (86.1)
CR Butler 88, H Mørk 72, CS Martin 5/85, KD Mills 3/91
New Zealand 273 for five (70)
PG Fulton 94; TJ Demeza 3/31
New Zealand won by five wickets
Man of the Match: J. D. P. Oram (New Zealand)
