Australia [416 & 217/9d] beat New Zealand [166 & 171] by 296 runs in the 1st Test, lead series 1-0

[OffDrive]

Australia [416 & 217/9d] beat New Zealand [166 & 171] by 296 runs in the 1st Test, lead series 1-0

Optus Stadium curator Brett Sipthorpe says Australia and NZ batsmen won't be confronted with cracks the size of 'canyons' during the first Test in Perth, but warns there will be plenty of them.

An intense heatwave will hit Perth during the series opener which starts Thursday, with the forecast 40-degree temperatures set to produce numerous cracks in the pitch.

But Sipthorpe says those cracks won't be much more than one inch wide, with the compact nature of the drop-in wicket ensuring the cracks don't "blow wide open".

"Last year the cracks opened up a bit on day one, but they never really exploded," Sipthorpe said.

"I remember two inch cracks that used to be at the WACA running up and down. They crack more like a plate here. It's different.

"And because of the moisture we've got underneath - there'll be plenty of cracks, but I don't expect them to blow wide open. I mean you might see cracks of an inch or something like that.

"I can't imagine them being massive canyons."

Sipthorpe said that because each pitch was in an individual tray, it limited the wideness of the cracks when they appear.

For permanent pitches that are in blocks, the sand around it can pull at the clay when it dries, resulting in larger cracks.

"But when you're in this scenario and we've got trays stacked against each other, there's nothing to pull," Sipthorpe said.

"It's really just the natural drying within that profile and if it wants to expand or contract. I can't imagine them (the cracks) being ridiculously big, but there'll be plenty of them."

Sipthorpe has been giving the pitch about 5-10 ml of water per day.

He said the grass cover on the pitch was better than in the inaugural Test at the venue last year.

In last year's clash, India were bowled out for 283 and 140 on a lively wicket that received widespread praise.

"And because the root system is stronger now, it will hold it together for longer," Sipthorpe said.

"As long as you've got that moisture locked down underneath it, your potential for more consistency is a lot higher.

"We haven't seen any cracking at this point, which is really good. Whereas last year we had cracking showing early on.

"We're in a much better position than we were last year."

https://wwos.nine.com.au/cricket/pe...-curator/23a51ed3-20cb-4a6e-853b-fe70d83be225

 

[jnaveen1980]

Australia vs New Zealand | 1st Test | Perth | 12th-16th December, 2019 | Match Thread

Having swept aside Pakistan, a revitalised Australia will have a harder time of it against a dogged New Zealand.

Overview

Australia v New Zealand
1st Test
Perth Stadium
12-16 December; 1.00pm local, 5.00am GMT

New Zealand last won a Test series in Australia in 1985. Of their 31 matches there, they've won just three. But this time around, as is so often the case between these sides in recent times, it's expected to be a keen contest.

The visitors are, after all, No.2 on the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings, three places above No.5 Australia. They have five batsmen and three bowlers in the top 20. Both Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor have strong numbers in the country, and as the rest of their middle order has proved in recent times, they can be obdurate even if you get past the two big guns.

However, they are coming up against a Tim Paine-led side for whom everything has been clicking, along with the added challenge of a day/night Test in a sweltering Perth.

Moreover, they are still sweating over the availability of their pace bowler Trent Boult, who is recovering from a side strain, and all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme. Boult bowled at the nets, but he is set to be monitored further before a decision is made, while de Grandhomme has been cleared. It could still open up a Test debut for Lockie Ferguson, with his express pace an asset on the pacy Perth surface.

The team had another injury concern with Taylor – who made a double hundred last time in Perth – copping a blow on his right thumb. He left practice early on Tuesday to ice his hand, even as the team confirmed that no scans were needed.

Australia, meanwhile, will retain the same XI – "I'd be a brave man to change the XI," coach Justin Langer said. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins will form the pace attack, with off-spinner Nathan Lyon backing them.

Remember the last time

In 2015, New Zealand lost the series 2-0, although the final game in Adelaide, the first-ever day/night Test, was a close one. Set a target of 187 after Josh Hazlewood picked up six second-innings wickets, Australia were pegged back by a rampaging Boult before Shaun Marsh dug in to top score with 49 and set up a hard-fought three-wicket win for the hosts.

What they said

Gary Stead, New Zealand coach: "We have to be careful that we don't overstate the pink ball. We start an hour earlier than most pink-ball Tests start so it's an hour less of darkness at the end of the day. I think perhaps the bigger factor is the heat we are going to face over the next four or five days as well, just making sure we are aware of that."

Justin Langer, Australia coach: "We talk about continuity, they've certainly got that. They've got a seasoned bowling attack with the aggressor in Wagner and potentially Ferguson. They've got guys in the top 10 in test cricket and one of the great players in their captain who not only plays with great skill but great humility. We have huge respect for the New Zealand cricket team and for New Zealand in general."

Conditions

It won't be easy for the teams. Perth is sweltering and temperatures are expected to hit 40°C during the Test, with clear skies. Then there are the unique conditions of a day/night Test, with the pink-ball under floodlights adding a different challenge. The pitch is likely to offer pace and bounce, with the out-and-out quicks relishing what they can get from it.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1526677

 

[andy0204]

No boult, Newzealand missed the chance in daylight conditions,
Good to see Lockie Ferguson.

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

Wow....Lockie is pacy...serious pace 147 kmph + ....good to see young new paceman

 

[Justcrazy]

Aussies so far have managed well here

 

[Slog]

Wow....Lockie is pacy...serious pace 147 kmph + ....good to see young new paceman

He's 28

 

[Justcrazy]

Southee has bowled tight spell , but yet to take wicket

 

[andy0204]

Man Warner is beast in home conditions against any attack.

 

[Aman]

This is going to be a long 2 days.

Our bowling attack looks as good as Pakistan's.

 

[Justcrazy]

Good partnership developing here.

 

[minamino]

There are a lot of empty seats for this match as well.

 

[andy0204]

There are a lot of empty seats for this match as well.

It's day night test match people will come at night.

 

[Justcrazy]

Burns gone

 

[Gilly]

Dar makes another mistake, standard of umpiring is poor.

 

[minamino]

African duo bowling for NZ currently. South African and Zimbabwean.

 

[andy0204]

Dar makes another mistake, standard of umpiring is poor.

Burns should have taken the review.

 

[andy0204]

De Grandhomme bowling better than Abbas in Australia.

 

[Gilly]

Dar has made so many mistakes in Australian matches CA should ask the ICC to not select him for their matches.

 

[Justcrazy]

Labhuchange looking solid here.

 

[Aman]

Dar has made so many mistakes in Australian matches CA should ask the ICC to not select him for their matches.

Surprised to see you complaining about an official.

Aren't you a known ICC/CA apologist?

 

[Justcrazy]

Warner looking very good here.

 

[Gilly]

Surprised to see you complaining about an official.

Aren't you a known ICC/CA apologist?

Not complaining, just wondering why such an important series has been allocated a sub standard umpire.

 

[Justcrazy]

Warner approaching another fifty.

 

[Justcrazy]

Warner perishes

 

[Aman]

Stunning catch from Wagner.

 

[minamino]

It has written Smith 200 all over it.

 

[omairsiddiqui]

I'm backing NZ to get Smith out before lunch.

 

[andy0204]

What a bowler Wagner is!

 

[Justcrazy]

Lunch

76 . 2

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Toss was crucial for NZ here especially now that they don't have Boult.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Aussies starting to build well here 105/2

Kiwis need to get rid of these two in the middle as soon as possible.

 

[tyron_woodley]

What a bowler Wagner is!

he is only good in n.z, s.a and England.

 

[Kroll]

So NZ had Aus at 80/2. Already doing 4x better than Pak.

 

[Aman]

Really missing Boult here.

Wagner and CdG pick of the bowlers.

Southee too slow to trouble the Aussies.

 

[andy0204]

from labuschagne

 

[Space Cat]

Wagner boucing out Smith. Hes having a fantastic year and its nice to see him swinging the ball too.

 

[Space Cat]

Ferguson apparently off to get an MRI on his calf. Didnt last long.

 

[King_Kohli]

1000 Test runs for Labuschagne

 

[Space Cat]

New ball here. NZ need to take a couple of wickets here and they are in the game. Aussie make it through last hour unscathed they will be in great stead for tomorrow

 

[Varun]

Loosebuschange has improved by leaps and bounds.

Another century for him.

 

[Space Cat]

Southee needs to strike the conditions right now are the best he will get all tour

 

[Space Cat]

And he strikes with a hooping full ball that Wade leaves.

 

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

This labuschagne guy is a real deal. Rock solid

 

[Omer2002]

Just shows you what a flat batting track the aussies have now...burns wasnt out...warner was a freakish catch..Smith was strangled down legside

 

[Space Cat]

NZ have had to work very hard and shown a lot of patience and they are an experienced attack. I cant imagine throwing a couple of teenagers out there.

 

[Space Cat]

Has been plenty of swing around today such a shame Boult wasnt ready to go.

 

[andy0204]

Just shows you what a flat batting track the aussies have now...burns wasnt out...warner was a freakish catch..Smith was strangled down legside

They all got that wickets because they were keeping tight and made a pressure on batsman.
Colin de Grandhomme, Southee were getting swing,it's just Pakistan were not bowling at right lengths.

 

[tyron_woodley]

decent performance by the kiwis. Wagner solid. I underestimated this man. He is pretty good.

Still don't rate southee. Needs to be replaced. Very conditions specific bowler.

 

[Ab Fan]

Aussies in strong position, Labu as usual, continues his great run of form.

NZ havent been bad either, probably missing Boult but as expected, Aussies are ahead in the game right now.

 

[Abdullah719]

Labsuchagne's third straight ton keeps valiant Kiwis at bay

Spoiler

On an enervating day and balmy night, during which fortune deserted a brave New Zealand, Marnus Labuschagne stamped himself as Australia's number three batter for the ages with his third Test ton in as many innings.

Labuschagne's unbeaten 110 was both the foundation and the flourish in his team's 4-248 on day one of the Domain Test series against the Black Caps on which the mercury was the only other entity threatening to exceed one hundred.

But whereas that heat reading was made under the old Fahrenheit measure, Labuschagne has revealed himself to be the very essence of a modern cricketer having adapted from budding allrounder, to middle-order concussion substitute, to red-ball dominator, to pink-ball specialist.

He crowned his latest achievement in the most emphatic fashion, moving from 95 to 101 with a single blow before clenching his fists in triumph and embracing his batting partner and mentor, Steve Smith.

Most tellingly the 25-year-old, whose previous Test knocks against Pakistan this summer have been 185 (in Brisbane) and 162 (Adelaide), was the only Australia batter after David Warner's shock dismissal to look comfortable against the tirelessly toiling New Zealand attack.

The loss of Matthew Wade (12) who offered no stroke to a violently swinging delivery with the second new ball left Labuschagne and vice-captain Travis Head (20 not out) to negotiate a challenging last half-hour.

However, honours ultimately rested with the hosts, who resume their first innings on what is forecast to be another scorcher on day two.

Making the Black Caps' effort more admirable, and their onward task more daunting was the bittersweet debut experienced by fast bowler Lockie Ferguson who limped from the field after the second session with a calf injury.

Ferguson should have spent his first evening as a Test cricketer celebrating the rare achievement of dismissing the world's second-top ranked Test batter Smith for just 19, which would have been the case if Tom Latham had held the chance that flashed from Smith's errant cut shot and flew to second-slip.

Instead, the 28-year-old, who earned his Test call-up by bowling some blistering spells in short-form cricket, was awaiting the results of MRI scans on his injured right leg to learn whether he'll take any further active part in his debut match.

Misfortune had visited them a night earlier, when strike bowler Trent Boult was deemed unavailable having failed to fully recover from a side strain which meant fellow quick Ferguson was handed his Test cap in a low-key presentation at the team's hotel.

Then, when they convened at the cauldron-like Perth Stadium where the temperature nudged 38 degrees Celsius, the Black Caps were consigned to the field when skipper Kane Williamson called incorrectly at the coin toss.

The ramifications of being forced out into the day's heat were mitigated by the knowledge conditions are expected to be replicated across the subsequent three days.

What became more crucial was the visitors' need to capture Australian wickets when the ball was new and their bowlers fresh.

But while the pink ball swung teasingly for Tim Southee, and flew at speed from the green-tinged surface for Ferguson, the breakthrough needed to stop their spirits sapping vapourised more readily than the last remaining moisture in the Perth pitch.

The Black Caps frustration was encapsulated by Southee when, having bowled a delivery that was bunted back to him by Joe Burns, he saw the opener had left his crease and hurled the ball at the stumps only to strike a startled Burns on the pad.

It prompted Australia's other opener, David Warner, to query the Kiwi quick's rush of blood and remind him of his team's reputation as 'the nice guys of cricket'.

Against the run of play, it was an error of judgement that brought a wicket after an hour.

Burns had resumed his role as support act to the ever-busy, utterly unhurried Warner and reached nine from 42 balls when he played across his front pad and was adjudged lbw to Colin de Grandhomme's gentle 122km/h seamers.

Aleem Dar, who today broke West Indian official Steve Bucknor's record of most Test matches umpired by standing in his 129th match, had little hesitation in raising his finger although Burns seemed keen to review the ruling when he consulted Warner.

It was decided a challenge would be imprudent, and replays then showed the ball would have missed the luckless opener's leg stump by some margin.

Fortune seemed to be swinging decidedly in NZ's favour come the end of the opening session when Warner was removed in circumstances that neither he nor the intrepid fans could quite believe.

Warner had cruised to 43 in ominously smooth fashion after his historic triple-century in Adelaide two weeks earlier, when he appeared momentarily deceived by a low full-pitch from Neil Wagner.

In shovelling the ball as it dipped towards the crease line, the former Australia vice-captain offered a similarly low chance to the bowler who claimed it cleanly in his outstretched right hand while sliding on his knees.

By the time umpires Dar and Nigel Llong had conferred and sought clarification on whether the ball had grazed the grass, Warner was headed for the sheds and Steve Smith was being welcomed to the middle.

It was the tonic that the tourists needed before the day's long break, given their potency with the pink ball had been so reduced that left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner was summoned to the attack with a half-hour to play in the first session.

Williamson has been known to deploy Santner for a sneaky over before breaks in the hope of stealing a wicket, but his early arrival at the bowling crease today suggested he was to play a significant role in his team's bowling plans.

That need became more acute during the middle session as Labuschagne and Smith held firm, in the face of some appropriately 'dry' bowling that played on the Australia pair's patience.

While Labuschagne was able to regularly release the stranglehold by finding the boundary with inventive strokes like the upper-cut over slips that brought his half-century (from 102 balls faced), Smith was clearly battling for the rhythm and surety that had defined his Ashes campaign.

After an hour's batting, Australia's best batter had eked out 11 runs from 58 balls.

An hour later, as the teams trudged off for cold showers and the dinner break, he had faced 100 deliveries and scored 31.

If the Australians were feeling frustrated, their rivals must have been bereft when Ferguson was sent to hospital for scans on his damaged calf and it became clear they would have to somehow prise out the bulk of the home side's batting with two specialist seamers and Santner's spin.

Even though the spinner found demonstrable turn in his spell immediately after dinner, it was not sufficiently daunting to prevent Labuschagne from skipping down the pitch and lifting him beyond the rope at long-on to reach his third Test century.

In joining that sizeable coterie of players who reach a Test hundred with a six, Labuschagne added his name to a far more exclusive group as the ninth Australia batter to have posted centuries in three consecutive Test innings.

That list includes Warner's name twice, but remarkably does not feature Smith whose struggle to find fluency ended in suitably exasperating fhasion on 43 when he fell to Wagner's clearly flagged plan of attack.

The left-armer, who has collected more than a third of his 189 Test wickets from short-pitched deliveries, banged in a bouncer that Smith obligingly swung to Southee placed strategically at backward-square leg.

The anguish on Smith's face as he stalked from the field, throttling his bat mid-blade, encapsulated the theme of trying and fluctuating day.

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/mat...ive-stream-scores-video-highlights/2019-12-12

 

[MMHS]

Aussies are slightly ahead, but Kiwis have done remarkably well to control the run rate - 248/4 in a full day’s play of 90 overs. Old WACA was the fastest scoring ground in Australia, but this new one should also be good enough n terms of scoring rate.

Without rain, this Test will have a direct result. Tomorrow’s first session is key - with 2nd ball if Kiwis can get Aussies 8/9 down by dinner, they are in the game. Australia would love to bat till Tea and start bowling in twilight period with 450+ in first innings.

 

[Aman]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">INJURY UPDATE: An MRI scan has confirmed a right calf muscle-tendon strain for Lockie Ferguson which will prevent him bowling in the remainder of the 1st Test, although he is available to bat. Awaiting a further report which will inform the next steps of his recovery <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvNZ?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvNZ</a></p>— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) <a href="https://twitter.com/BLACKCAPS/status/1205312678098432001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



Going to be tough with 4 bowlers.

 

[aloo paratha]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">INJURY UPDATE: An MRI scan has confirmed a right calf muscle-tendon strain for Lockie Ferguson which will prevent him bowling in the remainder of the 1st Test, although he is available to bat. Awaiting a further report which will inform the next steps of his recovery <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvNZ?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvNZ</a></p>— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) <a href="https://twitter.com/BLACKCAPS/status/1205312678098432001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



Going to be tough with 4 bowlers.

Bad luck...

At least De Grandhomme is a bowler who can keep it tight and get through overs.

 

[cricket.mad]

Didnt aussie declare before dinner? They were perfectly placed according to the norms set by resident expert of PP.

 

[Justcrazy]

Labuschange gone

 

[Justcrazy]

Can Kiwis get through the lower order fast here.

 

[jnaveen1980]

No Boult. One bowler short due to Ferguson's injury. Lion hearted stuff from Wagner. What a champion bowler he is.

 

[world cup captain]

As opposed to Pakistani "captain's" intent, you can see the difference it makes to go in with a bit of planning. The field placements and experimentation being done make the game great to watch.

 

[Danyaalr01]

No one ever talks about Wagner. He has to be the fittest fast bowler at the moment. If there ever was a work horse it is Neil Wagner. He is like a machine.

 

[shah_1]

Wagner is a type of bowler that every team would want

 

[Space Cat]

Wagner never stops charging in but he is also a very clever bowler.

 

[jnaveen1980]

106 overs in total. 30th over by Wagner !!!

 

[jnaveen1980]

Paine won't last long against Wagner. He will eventually bounce him out.

 

[Justcrazy]

Runs have dried up , tight bowling here.

 

[jnaveen1980]

31st over 77 runs by Wagner. That is meager. For comparison. Yasir shah bowled 32 overs and conceded 197 runs lol

 

[jnaveen1980]

CDG Economy is impressive 1.76!!

 

[andy0204]

CDG Economy is impressive 1.76!!

That's why Hardik Pandya should be there in test squad.

 

[Justcrazy]

Kiwis need one more wicket here to get into tail.

 

[Justcrazy]

for head here.

 

[Justcrazy]

Southee strikes

 

[MenInG]

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of bowling for the rest of their Test against Australia after picking up an injury on day one in Perth.

Ferguson bowled just 11 overs on Thursday, 12 December, before going off the field in the second session. He was sent for scans, with the team later confirming a right calf muscle-tendon strain. It means he won't bowl any further in the Test, but is available to bat.

His forced absence adds to New Zealand's concerns. Ferguson's debut came because Trent Boult, New Zealand's premier pacer, is still recovering from a side strain. It now leaves Tim Southee and Neil Wagner as the team's main pace bowlers, with all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme backing them up. The visitors fought hard, but Australia finished the first day comfortably on 248/4.

"Gutting, ain't it," Wagner said after the first day's play, about his teammate's injury. "It's just one of those things. It's pretty heart-breaking for him. I know he'll be devastated as well. We all obviously get right behind him ... He's a quality player and we would have loved to see him bowl more and see what he could have done."

Marnus Labuschagne, who finished the day unbeaten on 110, admitted that it gave Australia an advantage. "They do have an all-rounder in their side so it does lighten the load a little, but it's a massive advantage if we can really bat well tomorrow and keep them out there," he said. "We just have to keep putting those runs on the board."

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1530561

 

[Amjid Javed]

Big injury below that for kiwis in rest of this test. They need to get through Aussie tail quickly.

 

[Aman]

Can't afford Fielding like this is Aus.

3 dropped catches/chances and 2 possible run outs.

 

[Junaids]

Tim Paine must be getting all the luck he missed out on from 2011-2017.

Three times in a row that the Aussie quicks get to use a Pink New Ball at sunset!

Anyway, we are about to see whether I’m right about the value of height for quick bowlers.

 

[MenInG]

416 All out

 

[Belawal2014]

And that's how you bowl, Pakistan.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Tim Paine must be getting all the luck he missed out on from 2011-2017.

Three times in a row that the Aussie quicks get to use a Pink New Ball at sunset!

Anyway, we are about to see whether I’m right about the value of height for quick bowlers.

I thought height didn't matter for pink ball tests since you were asking PCB to beg Aamir to comeback for the Adelaide pink ball test?

 

[Ab Fan]

NZ have done brilliantly with the bowl but unfortunately they may still lose this test because they didn't won the toss and had to bowl first.

 

[Junaids]

I thought height didn't matter for pink ball tests since you were asking PCB to beg Aamir to comeback for the Adelaide pink ball test?

It matters less than in Day Tests in Australia because the Day/Night Pink Ball Tests reward both Swing and Lift, whereas Day Tests reward Lift only.

Amir would have made a huge difference to Pakistan at Adelaide. Musa and Yasir went for 5 an over. Amir would have saved 30 runs per session and taken wickets.

 

[Aman]

What on earth was that from Latham..

Played all around a straight ball