New Zealand v Australia, 2nd Test, Day 1 - It was a cracking day!

The ball dominated in the first hour of play. From over number 5 to 16, Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson and Jackson Bird were nagging and incisive. On a greenish deck, they pitched the ball full, on a length and made it cut back in and out to test the New Zealand top order. Hazlewood, Pattinson and Bird leaked just two runs during that period and it was an old fashioned Test cricket where patience is the key.

The Australian bowlers were on top while New Zealand were found reeling at 32 for 3 in 20 overs. Enters Brendon McCullum into the scene and from the word go, he started to counterattack on a track which was not favorable for the batsmen. The next fours was an exhibition of high profile counterattacking batting display where the Australian bolwers were taken to the cleaners. Baz unleashed a mayhem and registered his name in the record books in grand style. At 39, Baz’s dismissal was ruled out due to a no-ball and since then, there was no stopping. Boy, he will not leave the international scene quietly.   

Corey Anderson, BJ Watling and Matt Henry also joined the carnage, but their aggression was overshadowed by the audacity of Baz. From a hapless 32 for 3, New Zealand finished their first innings at 370 all out in 65.4 overs at 5.63 runs per over.

There were some superb bowling display in the first hour and of course, there were athletically breathtaking catches to mark the day, but above all, the day belonged to Brendon McCullum’s jaw-dropping 145 off 79 balls.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar