3rd Test - Auckland

It was the result we (as Australians) were all hoping for. A big win for Australia in the final match of the series played at Eden Park, to take the series 2-0. And as it was in Christchurch, it was Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer at the end to hit the winning runs, the final partnership yielding 148 runs in less than 24overs, Australia wining the match by 9-wickets, under lights, under rain, yet under no pressure whatsoever. And this being my 100th test match, it was the result I too was looking for. Happy days pour moi!

It was the result we (as Australians) were all hoping for. A big win for Australia in the final match of the series played at Eden Park, to take the series 2-0. And as it was in Christchurch, it was Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer at the end to hit the winning runs, the final partnership yielding 148 runs in less than 24overs, Australia wining the match by 9-wickets, under lights, under rain, yet under no pressure whatsoever. And this being my 100th test match, it was the result I too was looking for. Happy days pour moi!

The Flag started the day taking the bus from the front of the hotel, the expectation of a good match getting us to the ground well before the gates opened, and they weren¡¯t run floodgates either. New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat and what a woeful expression of interest they had for the entire day. Less than 200 runs were scored in 90overs for the loss of 5-wickets. It was by definition of many, boring. Yes, it was. I never thought I¡¯d say that about the game, but alas, it was the only thing that could be said about it.

New Zealand squandered a perfect opportunity to get a solid score on the board on a pitch that was, by history, an absolute belter yet they dicked around scoring 67 in the first session, 75 in the second, and a paltry 57 in the 3rd, the batsmen closing up shop 15-overs from the end scoring only 20runs in the last hour¡¯s play. There¡¯d be no chance of us staying awake tonight, and if it weren¡¯t for the day¡¯s play ending at 5.30pm, we¡¯d probably have gone home straight to bed. That¡¯s how sleepy the day was.

Day two we hoped would be better, knowing Australia would at some point be batting, and our bowlers would snare another 5-kiwi wickets. Also knowing the gates do not open before 9.30am, we didn¡¯t rush to the ground, arriving just as the lock was taken off the gate and the 12 people waiting to enter flooded into the ground to choose their seats from many. The game kicked of at 10.30am and by 12.30pm, on the eve of lunch, the Blackcaps were all out for a larger than expected 292, just after a public announcement was made regarding my 100th test match. It was rather touching to stand there looking out to the field to see all the Australian Team looking up to me, applauding. Gee, I could handle these milestones! (Below: The Flag loved our vantage from the West Stand)

Overcoming my pleasure, the 2nd session was like a Twenty20. Runs galore! Disappointingly, Justin Langer was out for 6 in the 2nd over, and I think I could have cried. I hate it when Justin goes out. Really hate it! And at 1/8 the Kiwis had a small rush of inspiration, but it didn¡¯t last, as Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden (until he was out) and Damien Martyn carved up the Kiwis to the tune of 143 runs to tea and Australia was well over half way to erasing the deficit.

The final session was rather weird. After the run machine that was the 2nd session, Australia added only 76 runs and a Ricky Ponting 100, and like the Blackcaps yesterday, the last 15 overs were a virtual shut down, Australia doing one better, scoring 21 runs in the last hour. The difference was Australia were only 4-wickets down with Clarkey at the wicket and Kato and Gilly still to come. Australia went to stumps 4-219, within reach of the Kiwis and a big lead looking ominous. But funny things happen in the game, and the weather is one of them.

The weather on day three was appalling. We made it through the first session unscathed, taking the lead by one into the break. The 2nd session was frustrating with rain taking 90-mins of play from us. Off they went, on they came, off they went, and on they came back and forth, the tea break gobbled up, but play starting on time at 3.30pm. Then the strangest thing came; an announcement that tea would be taken at 4.10pm with the 3rd session going from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. Why? Haven¡¯t we just had tea? And how would there be any play beyond 6pm?

There¡¯s some absurd rule that no session can last more than 2.5-hours of scheduled play. Yet there¡¯s also a fact that Auckland the sky is dark at 6pm, so how the umpires expected play beyond 6pm is a mystery. Yet, though the rain fell during what was the new tea break, we had to watch the players go off for tea then come back for a ¡®2-hour session¡¯ and play for no more than 45-mins due to rain and that was end of that. During this time, Australia was bowled out with a lead of 91, and by the time NZ was 2-11 in very dark conditions, play was called off at 6pm and we went home rather disgruntled, to get some sleep for an early start the next morning, and what for hopefully was an Australian win. (Below: The number 1 field behind Eden Park is a popular destination for many spectators during the lunch break.)

There¡¯s some absurd rule that no session can last more than 2.5-hours of scheduled play. Yet there¡¯s also a fact that Auckland the sky is dark at 6pm, so how the umpires expected play beyond 6pm is a mystery. Yet, though the rain fell during what was the new tea break, we had to watch the players go off for tea then come back for a ¡®2-hour session¡¯ and play for no more than 45-mins due to rain and that was end of that. During this time, Australia was bowled out with a lead of 91, and by the time NZ was 2-11 in very dark conditions, play was called off at 6pm and we went home rather disgruntled, to get some sleep for an early start the next morning, and what for hopefully was an Australian win.

Ok, the game started at 10am but the gates still opened t 9.30 so it was in, seated and the game was underway. The way it should be! But being day four, the potential for the game to end today was rather high with New Zealand already on the back foot, and not looking like getting forward. In a flash they were 4-23 after 15th overs, and an innings defeat, and the sweep entrants tipping New Zealand to be out for less than 80 were getting excited.

The excitement was short lived as Vincent and Astle added 70runs for the 5th wicket. McCullum was out on the 3rd ball and the stage was set for Australia to rip through they rest, but that man Vettori came in and smacked a very confident 65, and with a swashbuckling 23 by Wiseman, and another solid 23 by Franklin, set Australia 164 to win, with one session to play.

33-overs minimum to bowl, with rain and shade covering the ground, the sweep was made waged for an Australia win today, and those backing the visitors were well rewarded. After being offered the light a few times and refusing it, Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer went troppo. Punter made a cracking 86, and Justin a confidence building 59 to ensure that The Flag was excited for the entire night, and at least my night in the dressing room was a very joyous one.

The presentations were made and it was touching to have Ricky Ponting make a special mention of my 100th test, and then after saying farewell to the Flaggers to meet them later, to be asked to join the team in the shed, and then to sing the team song was an incredible feeling. I was the first outsider as Justin Langer mentioned to everyone, to be asked to join the song and it will live with me for a very long time. It wasn¡¯t the best cricket, but it was a great series to be part of weather aside and already I look forward to the next tour to New Zealand.

Luke Gillian 26/03/2005 08:14:50