NZ in danger of tossing it away
The sage words of former Australian captain Ian Chappell were almost audible when Kane Williamson generously offered the home batsmen first use of the Canberra pitch.
Nine times out of 10 you bat first, and the 10th time you think about it but still bat.
The New Zealand skipper certainly thought about it when he called correctly in the centre of Manuka Oval before the second oneday cricket international yesterday.
He thought so hard he followed through, leaving counterpart Steve Smith barely disguising a grin.
Who knew what bowling humiliation was to follow.
Four hours later, Australia were a mind-boggling 378-5, their secondhighest ODI total at home and fourth-highest anywhere. One yellow-sleeved hand now rests on the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, already 1-0 up from the Sydney opener.
Handed a golden opportunity, opener David Warner cracked his 10th one-day international century; his third in five innings, and Australia never looked back.
He and Smith (72 off 76) grabbed the reins and added 145 for the second wicket as New Zealand shoulders slumped and boundary riders were heckled by boorish, bellowed taunts.
The ground fielding fell away and Matt Henry, particularly, was savaged. The world’s fifth-ranked ODI bowler conceded 0-91 after Mitchell Marsh went 6, 6, 6 in the final over to finish with 76 off 40.
Needing to make a bold and positive call to try and get back in the series, Williamson went for the safe option and lost the initiative.
Worse, he gave Australia what they wanted, as they always follow the Chappell maxim at home.
Taking Australia out of their comfort zone and giving the in-form Martin Guptill a chance to seize control, along with Williamson himself, had to be the best option.
New Zealand didn’t bowl badly early on. There was just very little in the pitch and Australia built up the momentum of a freight train.
All Williamson could do was rotate his six bowlers and hope for a batting blunder or a brilliant piece of fielding. There was little of either.