Australia v New Zealand – Third Test: Day 1 at the SCG

 

With the Kiwis playing for pride in the third and final Test of the Trans-Tasman series, having already lost the series, it was evident before a ball was bowled that they were really ‘up against it’.

 

A virus wreaked havoc as Mitchell Santner, Henry Nicholls and captain Kane Williamson were forced to withdraw from the team, while Trent Boult was already sidelined with injury.

 

But perhaps the most baffling omission was that of Tim Southee. Stories abounded that he was dropped, or rested, or simply excluded from the team for the reason that he had shouldered too much of a burden in recent times.

 

Whatever the reason, Southee’s omission was baffling given that a depleted New Zealand team already missed its other opening bowler, and could have done with Southee’s experience.

 

Tom Latham took over the captaincy, with Glenn Phillips named to debut while Jeet Raval, Todd Astle, Will Somerville and Matt Henry were recalled.

 

Interestingly, Somerville had played first-class cricket for NSW at the SCG, and had played with and against various players from the Australian team.

 

Although the Kiwis have disappointingly not lived up to their reputation as the second-ranked team in the world, another strong crowd proved that interest in the series had not wavered by any means.

 

After the Melbourne faithful turned up in droves to watch the Kiwis play a Test at the MCG for the first time in 32 years, the Sydney faithful has done likewise after New Zealand’s most recent Test appearance at the SCG was 34 years ago.

 

After Australian skipper Tim Paine won the toss and chose to bat, the Kiwis looked vastly different as the new opening bowling partnership comprised Matt Henry and Colin de Grandhomme. To their credit, they tried hard early on, although lacking penetration.

 

A change of ends for de Grandhomme paid dividends as Joe Burns was squared up with the first ball of his second spell, and edged a catch to first slip as the match was an hour old.

 

Having struggled repeatedly since scoring 97 in the first Test against Pakistan several weeks ago, Burns had squandered a golden chance to return to form against a second-string attack.

 

But with the big guns of David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne at the wicket while Steve Smith was still to come, the Kiwis were yet to make any real inroads.

 

The score didn’t stay 1-39 for long, as Labuschagne leg-glanced his second delivery to the boundary and then glided his fourth delivery to deep mid wicket for four more.

 

New Zealand received further setbacks as Henry and Somerville suffered finger injuries and were forced to spend time off the field.

 

The Australians were well set as the score was 1-95 at lunch, but the Test took a dramatic turn just three balls after play resumed.

 

The left-armer Wagner came around the wicket and speared the ball wide of Warner’s leg stump, only for the left-hander to steer a catch to leg gully. Out for 45, and continuing Warner’s recent habit of making starts without converting them into big scores.

 

The next 46 minutes produced one of the most bizarre periods of the series as Smith – rated alongside India’s Virat Kohli as the top two batsmen in the world – took 39 balls to open his account.

 

After Smith belatedly relieved the pressure with a few boundaries, Labuschagne used his feet and lofted Somerville for 6.

 

Although not in peak form, Smith kept the 12th man busy as the former Australian captain repeatedly changed his gloves.

 

With Labuschagne having scored regular centuries already this season, he reached 60 when TV commentator Simon Katich remarked: ‘Big hundreds. He’s on his way again today.’

 

So it proved. On 99, Labuschagne produced another leg glance to the boundary. What has been distinctive about Labuschagne is that many of his runs have come on the onside, both behind and in front of square.

 

Desperation or foolishness (or both) was evident as the Kiwis used the DRS when Labuschagne was on 106, with replays showing there was no chance that an appeal for lbw should be upheld.

 

Smith advanced to 63 before he became the second batsman to edge de Grandhomme to Ross Taylor at first slip. Thus ended a 156-run third wicket stand, with the second new ball just 19 deliveries old.

 

It was not surprising that Wagner returned to the bowling crease to continue his rivalry with Matthew Wade, but the left-handed batsman was in no mood to let the ball hit his body this time.

 

Wade fiercely pulled two fours and a six in the 87th over of the day, and even more impressive was that the combatants bumped fists in a sign of mutual respect at the end of the over. Wagner obviously didn’t get too flustered, as he promptly signed autographs while fielding on the boundary.

 

And so Australia finished the day at 3-283, with Labuschagne on 130 and Wade on 22.

 

There were few highlights for the Kiwis, although Wagner was economical for the most part as he put in another wholehearted effort despite being out of the attack for a prolonged period at one stage. Leg-spinner Astle toiled away honestly, but didn’t look like posing any real threat.

 

Despite the occasional play-and-miss and mistimed shot from an Australian batsman, the Kiwi bowlers lacked bite and penetration. It was not until the 82nd over that someone other than Wagner delivered a maiden over.

 

Will the Australians get bowled out, or amass a huge score and then declare?

 

Tune in to day two to find out.

 

 

The Tigers Almanac 2019 is out NOW.
Order copies HERE.

Orders will be posted from Dec 11.

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

Do you really enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.

Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE
One off financial contribution – CLICK HERE
Regular financial contribution (monthly EFT) – CLICK HERE