It’s 26 years since the BLACKCAPS last won a cricket Test in Australia but many believe that the time has arrived for that record to be updated later this week.
A brilliant bowling performance by Richard Hadlee, later knighted, enabled the Kiwis to gain the early impetus in the first test at the Gabba and after posting a first innings total of 553-7 dec. New Zealand were always in the box seat. Hadlee took 9 for 52 and that remains the best-ever bowling performance by a New Zealander in a Test. While there is no Hadlee in the current New Zealand side, there appears to be enough firepower to concern a relatively inexperienced Australian side in the first test, starting at the Gabba, in Brisbane, on Thursday.
The pleasing thing for new captain, Ross Taylor, is that all of his top order batsmen, have put runs on the board in the past month. Martin Guptil, Dean Brownlee and Kane Williamson, scored big runs before the team left for Australia, while Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder, were outstanding in the four-day match against Australia A. The big decision will be whether to take six specialist batsmen into the test or to bolster up the bowling and leave out Brownlee. Doug Bracewell. Chris Martin and Tim Southee will shoulder the pace bowling responsibilities with Trent Boult waiting in the wings, while Daniel Vettori will lead the spin attack and, likely, bat at number 7.
There is enough experience in the Australian team to make the BLACKCAPS realise that this will be a tough battle over the five days. While the bowling attack is well short of tests, the batsmen are a proven combination. Ricky Ponting, captain Michael Clarke, and Mike Hussey, are all world class, and David Warner is the Australian equivalent of Jesse Ryder. The only bowler in the Australian side with a proven record is Peter Siddle, the remainder have next to no experience at this level of the game.
There has been enough early money on the BLACKCAPS to suggest that punters reckon a 26 year gap is long enough to wait.
Reported by TAB Update
