The game of forever? by Jim Ellingham

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Scorecard:

New Zealand v Australia

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DateLine: 14th January 2006

 

Cricket fans would have thought that one-day cricket couldn’t eclipse what was seen during the second one-day match at Wellington. It had to be impossible. Well, just three days later the same two sides produced just as good a match (better, if you’re a New Zealand supporter) on another belter of a pitch at Christchurch. Australia made two changes to their line up with White and debutant left arm seamer Mitchell Johnson replacing Hogg and the injured Brett Lee. For New Zealand, Fleming came back into the side as super sub at the expense of James Marshall and Chris Martin returned from four and half years one-day wilderness to replace the overawed James Franklin. Daniel Vettori was retained as captain.

 

This time New Zealand won the toss and as per the game plan, although at the time inexplicably, they choose to field first. As has been the norm for Australia in this series, Gilchrist departed early. This time he lasted just three balls as Kyle Mills bent one back into the left-hander and debut umpire Gary Baxter raised the index finger for the first time in internationals. The Australian innings mirrored their Wellington effort as they struggled in the middle stages. Styris and Vettori tied the batsmen down before Australia’s barn storming finish. After Simon Katich also departed early to Chris Martin, Ponting and Hodge played contrasting but important innings. Ponting was all style and looked in the form of his life while Hodge displayed good patience as the pair brought up their respective half centuries. Upon their dismissal and that of Symonds cheaply, Clarke and Hussey were brought together and they showed their class. Again New Zealand bowled poorly at the death, with Chris Martin’s shortcoming and inexperience in this area showcased. Michael Hussey’s 88 not out of 56 balls was every bit as good as Symonds’ Wellington innings. His not out meant that his average in one-day cricket makes even Bradman look a shade human.

 

New Zealand’s reply started badly as super sub Fleming and Nathan Astle succumbed early. Lou Vincent again batted like a cat with nine lives. The first of these lives occurred when he survived a confident caught behind appeal in the first over. He struck 39 runs but all New Zealand’s top order apart from Scott Styris batted poorly. Marshall for once got a start. McMillan was just awful and not in the words original context. He was out edging to the ‘keeper as he tried to run a Symonds off break to third man. Styris in contrast was peerless. His innings had all the style of Mark Waugh’s effort against New Zealand at the 1996 World Cup Quarter Final when Australia overhauled a huge total at Madras. His partnerships with Oram then McCullum were crucial. Oram put his bowling woes behind him with another important innings. This time his swash buckling 42 included a six that cleared the stand at Jade Stadium. The honours were left to captain Vettori as he swung Mick Lewis, very much yesterday’s hero away for four. Vettori and McCullum, who scored a remarkable fifty of twenty-five balls, displayed a coolness under pressure that had been lacking for most of the season. Another remarkable match ensured the future of the Chappell – Hadlee series. New Zealand’s one day unit still has problems though and continuing good performances from the likes of Walmsley, Harris, Ryder, Sinclair, Taylor and How will ensure that the selectors can’t ignore them for much longer.

 

 

(Article: Copyright © 2006 Jim Ellingham)