Wellington, March 19: New Zealand forced Australia to scrap for runs in the middle session as they collected two important wickets before Simon Katich guided the visitors to 163 for 3 at tea. Australia scored 70 in 28 overs after lunch against the disciplined local attack, with Katich unbeaten on 74 after two dropped chances and Michael Clarke on 9.
The hosts removed Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey to have Australia 115 for 3 and achieved their aim of slowing their opponents’ usually fast scoring, but their situation could have been even better. Brent Arnel, the debutant, picked up a wicket in his first over in the morning before Australia recovered through a 79-run stand between Katich and Ricky Ponting.
The combination worked well in sunny conditions until Katich dropped a ball from Arnel on the offside and started to run, thinking Ponting would be alert to his action. Ponting, who was backing up but wasn’t expecting the single, was so far out he didn’t bother sliding his bat and was well beaten by BJ Watling’s under-arm to the striker’s end.
Ponting had just pulled Chris Martin for four in the best shot of his innings and he rocked his head back as he walked off with 41. Michael Hussey started with a crisp cover drive off Martin but fell trying to repeat the shot and edged to Watling, who collected a sharp take to his right at third slip.
Katich was Australia’s ideal man for the difficult situation on a surface that was playing slower after offering the bowlers movement in the morning. Katich was less inclined to chase boundaries than his team-mates – although he forced himself to become more adventurous to Daniel Vettori – and he was rewarded for his composure.
A hook behind square off Arnel brought up Katich’s half-century and he slog-swept Vettori for an awkward six, but mostly he nudged and glanced while taking his time. The approach changed shortly before tea when he gained two reprieves. The first came on 68 when he drove at Tim Southee and a diving Brendon McCullum couldn’t accept the inside edge. Daryl Tuffey was then given a chance when Katich skied a drive off Vettori, but the bowler spilled the tough offering at mid-on.
Clarke entered after Hussey’s dismissal and was under scrutiny following his off-field excursions over the past fortnight. He was unflustered as he got used to the pitch, taking 31 balls for his first two runs, and was intent on a big innings.
Tuffey, who gave up barely a run an over, and Vettori kept the situation tight during the middle session to follow the restrictive efforts of Martin and Arnel after lunch. Arnel, a 31-year-old right armer, delivered a tricky opening spell of seven overs and had 1 for 36 from 12 while Martin’s figures were 1 for 36 off 11.
In the morning Hughes began with a series of drives through the offside, including two in a row off Southee’s first over, but was undone when he slashed a cut and was caught by Ross Taylor at first slip. The score was 25 – 20 of those went to Hughes – and he had missed another chance to confirm his spot when given an unexpected opportunity following Shane Watson’s hip injury.
——-Agencies