New Zealand blow apart Australia on opening day by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Ground:	Seddon Park, Hamilton
Scorecard:	New Zealand v Australia
Player:	DL Vettori, SM Katich
Event:	Australia in New Zealand 2009/10

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DateLine: 27th March 2010

 

Daniel Vettori's men gave him an almost perfect start to his hundredth Test match as he along with Tim Southee skittled out Australia for 231. New Zealand in reply scored 19 for 1 in 13 overs.

 

Ponting won the toss and had no issue in deciding as to whether he wold bat or bowl on a track that promised runs. That was the only positive event in the day that brought smile on th lips of Ponting but the events that proceeded must have surely soured his mood. The batsmen including him gave away their starts as the wickets fell at regular intervals. Watson (12, 25b, 3x4) fell to an ambitious pull shot of Southee only to be caught in the deep. Ponting (22, 47b, 4x4) ran himself out as he failed to beat the direct his from Vettori while Hussey (22, 48b, 5x4) failed to capitalise on the bright start.

 

Clarke (28, 33b, 4x4) fresh from his century in the first Test had a rush of blood as he tried to deposit Patel over the long-on fence but could find only Southee in the deep. Meanwhile Katich (88, 171b, 11x4) who was playing his fiftieth Test of his career steadied the ship as he calmly pated away the New Zealand bowlers away only to give a simple catch to Watling of a persistent Vettori.

 

The rest of the batsmen failed to show the needed application as the Kiwi bowlers led by Vettori ripped apart the lower order with ridiculous ease. Australians were all out for 231 in 74.3 overs.

 

New Zealand in reply lost the wicket of McIntosh (4, 6b, 1x4) for reasons known only to him left a straight one from Bollinger only to find his off stump pegged back. Watling (6, 31b) and Sinclair (8, 42b, 1x4) then ensured that the hosts did not lose anymore wickets as New Zealand ended the day at 19 for 1.