NZ in OZ Land: On the Edge of Their Seats

by Shreyas S. Bhide

Despite the fact that Ross Taylor still offers New Zealand a glimmer of hope, the match seems to be tilting in Australia's favour. The only factors that could swing it back New Zealand's way, are either Ross Taylor or some uninspired wayward bowling from the Australians.

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New Zealand started their second innings chasing a target of 327, but soon collapsed to a measly 4-49. Ross Taylor was unbeaten on 67, but the rest of the batsmen came undone against Stuart Clark's disciplined line and length bowling. At the end of the third day, the visitors were left reeling at 143 for six in 44 overs.

During the process Brett Lee picked up his 300th test scalp when he dismissed opener Jamie How in the first over itself. Stuart Clarke completed a smart juggling return catch off Aaron Redmond and snapped another one with a positive lbw shout when Brendon McCullum tried to leave a deliver that was well outside off stump but nipped in late and stayed low. Johnson chipped in with Jesse Ryder's wicket, lbw for 24.

The loss of both Daniel Flynn and Grant Elliott in the final five overs of play were crucial blows for New Zealand. Flynn was bowled by Mitchell Johnson for 29 after helping Taylor add 84 for the fifth wicket and Elliott went to Stuart Clark for zero, giving Clark figures of 3-23 at the end of the day.

For now, the the result looks more or less clear as not much can be expected from New Zealand's late order (except Daniel Vettori). If they could dig in show some character, like the Australian lower order did in their second innings, New Zealand may still find themselves on the winning side. The target of 327 looks distant, but not yet impossible.

Earlier in the day, Simon Katich's unbeaten century helped Australia take control of the match. The left-hander was left stranded on 131 as Australia were bowled out for 268 in 81.2 overs in their second innings setting New Zealand a stiff target of 327 to win the match. Resuming the day on 131 for six, Australia found themselves in trouble yet again as Brad Haddin (19) and Brett Lee (7) fell cheaply to left-arm spinner and Black Caps' skipper Daniel Vettori.

But Katich gave Australia hope with a 53-run partnership for the ninth wicket with Mitchell Johnson (31 from 59 deliveries). Some late fireworks from Stuart Clarke also helped Australia further push the ante. Katich became the first Australian to remain unbeaten through a completed Test innings since Mark Taylor in Adelaide in 1997-98. Taylor had accomplished the feat against South Africa at the Oval, Adelaide. The left-hander's century took him 179 balls, but he had two slices of luck on 70 and 86, with Iain O'Brien failing to hold a return catch and Jesse Ryder dropping a chance at short leg off Vettori's bowling.

Australia, however, were taking nothing for granted after play had concluded. The game is well and truly not over yet. Vettori has made runs in the past, Taylor's batting beautifully at the moment, so they're both danger men. Hopefully we can get through that partnership and then chip away at the tail as Katich reiterated.

One of the highlights of this match has been the failure of top orders of both the sides. It remains to be seen as to how both the sides take measures to counter this problem for the second test match.