After the sugar rush frenzied end to Day 1, the three of us decided to err on the side of caution.
“Maybe Hazlewood gets through and over?”
“Four balls at best.”
“Let’s just get them in now while there’s cloud cover.”
The previous night was spent after a few beers in the many numerous bars with a night cap and watching youtube vidoes of the Kiwis’ 1992 World Cup campaign. We drank in all of Day 1. We arrived at the ground thinking anything over 250 was a bonus. The Kiwis were hopeful and still chirping. Then in the first session the tight and consistent bowling and fielding of the day before from the hosts went out the window.
The bizarre field arrangements, the bowling at everywhere but the wickets, the body language. Arms folded and hands on hips like a trans -asman game of Simon Says. It gave Hazlewood confidence and let him bat. A glorious morning saw the ninth wicket wag and records tumble. There was murmuring sound around us, then silence, then anger at the bowlers from the locals. Green started doing what he had to do to stay on strike but then the lines blurred on who was the all rounder out there. Hazlewood smashed the ball around with abandon and a far cry from that dear in the headlights against the Windies.
One random Aussie gave it “we’ll have a bowl thanks!” In a mocking tone aimed at Southee. Finally the Kiwis broke through to finish the extended first session. In the second session we did to them what they did to us tenfold.
The first wicket came and many of us salivate at the thought of seeing Kane Williamson. The only time I’d seen him was in a day night Test in Perth where in the night session the Kiwis capitulated. Here they did too.
In a comical run out, players collided and Marnus finally contributed something running out Williamson. This was followed by more wickets before Phillips and Co fought back. The foot was on the throat. Lyon was introduced maybe two overs too late and despite his mediocre bowling New Zealand gifted him two wickets.
The Kiwis were decimated in one and a bit sessions. With the rain coming Sunday surely we force the follow on but that’s not captain Pat’s modus operandi. Smith was skittled early and then soon followed by Marnus who again offered no contribution. We were seething and could have easily been more than two down.
Lyon did his thing as night watchman as Uzi defended and created a calm. I realised some cans in and in a cheery mood that this was the first time seeing Australia play a Test away from home and taking the beauty and majesty of The Basin.
Australia finished up two down and with a questionable decision the bat again. Tomorrow offers a day of more questions than answers. Get to a 400 lead and make them bat? Just bat the game away? It’s intriguing again tomorrow.
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