Almanac Cricket: NZ v Aust – Second Test, Day 1: Aotearoa Dispatches

 

After a number of days around the magnificent South Island it was time to reconvene in Christchurch with the others. I again was blessed enough to visit the wonderful Dunedin stepped in old architecture, the Speights brewery and academia all set to an 80s Indie jangly guitar soundtrack. A city that looked like it had been surgically removed from Scotland and shifted granite block by granite block to Otago. Then there was Wanaka and the West Coast with it’s epic waterways, glaciers and mountain passes. A trip more enjoyable than last time in New Zealand when the world was about the close down for the foreseeable future in 2020.

 

The scars of Christchurch’s recent tragedies are still there to see. Condemned buildings, large roads that lead to empty lots and shining new buildings next to old grey buildings that some how survived. Their message throughout the city is how great the reaction was from the community and New Zealand people in general and how they continue to rebuild. Not about death tolls and what was lost.

 

The walk on day one to the ground was along the river and through the many green spaces. Almost as good as the walk through Queens Gardens to the WACA, almost. The Hagley Oval is something remarkable and inside it is quite unremarkable. Grass banks and a small modern stand and corporate boxes relegated to marquees. All very much like the old Lilac Hill summer opener. Perfect for red ball cricket.

 

 

 

 

Australia won the toss and sent in the hosts. The hosts again won the national anthems. The New Zealand openers went on the attack putting Australia on the back foot initially. Captain Pat though then changed things around introducing himself to the attack locking up the scoring. A new spell from Starc snared Young before Hazlewood was rewarded for his consistency removing Latham and Ravindra before lunch. Ravindra’s shot was stupid at best.

 

After a wander on the field at lunch taking in the perfect playing surface in bare feet and seeing Daniel Vettori get asked by a cocky aussie what it feels like to be on a winning side for once it was time for the second session where Australia really tuned the screws.

 

Williamson failed again caught on his pads with a desperate appeal doing him no good. Mitchell and Phillips were out cheaply and then Cam Green warmed the cockles of West Australian hearts removing the dangerous looking Blundell. Kullejin went for a golden duck before some resistance from Southee and Henry gave the locals some voice. Both were eventually  removed with the debutant Sears left on 0 the Kiwis were all out for a suspect 162.

 

After tea Australia were in again and Smith again failed with the bat caught by Sears with only his third ball in test cricket. Marnus came to the pitch to comments from the crowd that were witty as they were cynical regarding his form. Like a cricketing episode of Yes Minister.

 

Uzi fell cheaply and both Green and Head fell to top notch consistent bowling (again) from Henry to bring the Kiwis back in to the game. From here, Lyon and Marnus guided Australia to stumps, the latter’s confidence growing with every shot. 14 wickets and another great day of cricket in the Canterbury sun.

 

Australia will hope to bat all day tomorrow. New Zealand will hope to find something. Anything.

 

 

 

 

 

More from Denis Gedling can be read Here.

 

 

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