Australia vs New Zealand - Christchurch

Getting into Jade Stadium in Christchurch for the first test against New Zealand was straightforward minus the usual security hang-ups as detailed in the diary, but the gates opening at 9.30am meant there was only 30-mins before the toss, and an hour before the teams took the field. 25Flaggers positioned themselves at backward square leg in the Paul Kelly Stand, and soaked the roasting sun for the first 2sessions, after which the sun was extinguished and we froze our collective bananas off.

Getting into Jade Stadium in Christchurch for the first test against New Zealand was straightforward minus the usual security hang-ups as detailed in the diary, but the gates opening at 9.30am meant there was only 30-mins before the toss, and an hour before the teams took the field. 25Flaggers positioned themselves at backward square leg in the Paul Kelly Stand, and soaked the roasting sun for the first 2sessions, after which the sun was extinguished and we froze our collective bananas off.

But well before the weather was an issue, Australia won yet another toss and elected to bowl. This was something of a shock from our side as the pitch didn’t look anything menacing. It appeared a good flat track, but The Flag was seated some 100yards away so our judgement was impaired somewhat. And that too had little to do with the get together we had last night in my apartment!

It was not Australia’s greatest bowling performances, or the Blackcaps did play well above themselves. I tend to think it was the former. With Australia bowling it was expected that the pitch must have had something remarkable for Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, and Michael Kasprowicz. Going through the day with only 3 Kiwi scalps was something we never expected. Not since Bangladesh in Cairns 2003 has a batting side surprised me by surviving the day against Australia’s attack. But the Kiwis did just that, and to their credit too.

Stephen Fleming again failed to impress with 18 in a weak first session that yielded 64 runs. Thankfully the sun was shining so it wasn’t as bad as it might have been if in Wellington. NZ got a wriggle on in the 2nd session putting on almost 100 for one wicket, Hamish Marshall again the stalwart opponent for Australia playing through for 103. The 3rd session was again New Zealand’s, our bowlers unable to inflict great measure on the home side that added 108 runs for the session that ended at 5.31pm after a monumental 94overs in the day with NZ 3/265. Yes, we had more than 90overs. Unbelievable. Some might argue that we only had 3-wickets fall, but whether there’s 1, 10, or 20 wickets fall, there still has to be the time equivalent of 90 in a day and we got our monies worth for sure! (Below Jade Stadium was never entirely full!)

So we lobbed into the Holy Grail to celebrate the first day of the new test series for The Flag, but kept it to a minimum so to back it up over the ensuing weekend, and what we hoped would be a better day 2 for Australia. It was! NZ didn’t fall into a heap but the pressure became too much for some. NZ did all right to add another 168, but losing 7-wickets was not good enough. Marshall looked like he would make a big hundred, until Warney bowled him through his legs for 146, McCullum’s 29 the only other innings of note before Australia went to the crease 25-mins to tea, to chase a total I’m sure they didn’t think likely when electing to bowl!

Alfie and Haydos survived until the break but added only 48 for the first wicket when Alfie played on for 23. Always a disappointment when that happens. The day was firmly won again by NZ as Australia went through the final session to end 3-141 with Haydos and Marto back in the shed also, Marto unlucky to be given out LBW after getting an inside edge that would have scored 4 had it not hit his pads. But bad decisions go both ways and Marto was showering just before stumps letting Dizzy and Punter front up for day 3 and something special…. We hoped!

It was a special day for Australia, because again 2 of the lads stepped up to take the game to the Kiwis. At 6-201, with Dizzy, Punter, and Clarkey watching from the sidelines, NZ should have torn out Australia’s jugular. I guess they probably tried, but they lack bowling depth, and some 212 runs later Australia was 7-413 with Adam Gilchrist walking back after a belligerent 122. How Gilly can do that time and time again, suggests he is the greatest wicket-keeper batsman the game has ever seen. He is such an astonishing pleasure to watch. And in that same breath, who is Simon Katich? An unheralded batting genius!

Kato now has his deserved permanent place in the Australian side and like so many times before he has quietly stepped into the role granted and performed. What I like so much about Kato is that you ask him to bat numbers 1-7 he does so, adjusting his game accordingly to the position, and to the state of the game, and just gets on with it. He is so good to watch, and was so good to see him score his 2nd test hundred, unfortunately being dismissed for 118 shortly after Gilly, leaving Australia 8-418. The last three batsman added only 14runs and handed NZ a 1-run first innings lead, they who survived the last 6overs of the day to end 0-9 with 2-days to play. (Below: The game was played in uncharacteristic glorious weather, though too cold for some after tea!)

As it transpired, the game only went one more day as Australia came out firing and ripped through the Kiwi top order to have them reeling in the dark stuff at lunch 5-78 and all out for a pathetic 131 shortly after, leaving Australia 133 runs to win, and yet another world record under their belt, this time 7-LBW’s in their favour. I don’t know how close or not any of them were as we didn’t have a replay screen at the ground, but they are in the scorebook, and another credit goes into the history books, and my diary!

Unlike day 2, Matthew Hayden didn’t make the tea, and was out on the 2nd last ball of the session, Australia going to tea 1-25 with The Flag enjoying the balmiest final session weather of the game. Alfie and Punter, as efficiently as you like, rolled off the runs needed after tea, Alfie adding another 50 to his resume ending 72, with Punter 47 as Australia crossed the line 1-135 taking a 9-wicket win to start the series on the best of notes!

Yes, it was the coldest I have been at a game of cricket for many years, and even if it was just the final session of each day except the 4th day, it was bearable with the win… in hindsight of course. At the time it was crap, but if there’s a consolation, the Holy Grail was open until late to keep the insides warm with celebration, and the Basin Reserve ion Wellington where the 2nd test starts next Friday is colder than Jade, the entire day! The Flaggers will be the ones in the ‘Flag Ski Apparel!’ See you in the Basin soon!

Luke Gillian 14/03/2005 09:46:04