Black Caps: Where it went wrong

Hordes of New Zealand fans were right to have high expectations of this world No 2 Black Caps side in Melbourne. Sure, they began with a heavy defeat in Perth, a first-up ambush on the world’s bounciest pitch against the unpredictable pink ball. That could be forgiven.

On their last five Australian tours New Zealand on minimal preparation were hammered in the first test, but rebounded strongly, notably in 2011 (a narrow Hobart victory) and 2015 (a high-scoring Perth draw).

So why were things different this time, and how did the wheels fall off so quickly in their first Boxing Day test in 32 years? COIN TOSS

Bowling first was the right decision. On a damp pitch, under leaden skies, Kane Williamson would have been a masochist to expose his top order to the Australian pace trio. It was their big chance, but they needed to strike fast in the first two hours.

When Trent Boult skittled Joe Burns, fourth ball, with a pinpoint inswinger, it was a genius decision. The New Zealanders bowled reasonably well, beat the bat, had some half run-out chances but couldn’t find the edge or snare the prized wicket of Steve Smith early.

So they went to the bouncer barrage with leg theory. Channel Seven statistics showed seven per cent of the Black Caps seamers’ deliveries were aimed at the stumps on day one. Given Boult, Tim Southee and Colin de Grandhomme are swing bowlers, that was too low and their major strength was nullified to a degree.

Neil Wagner was excellent again but at four down at stumps the Australian horse was bolting

Hot and weary: the Black Caps leave the field at the MCG facing a mammoth chase.

out the stable door. SELECTIONS

Jeet Raval was given two tests too many, but that may have been a blessing for Tom Blundell who arrived fresh, without scars from Perth. With no viable options in New Zealand and Will Young (shoulder) still sidelined, Blundell clearly repaid them.

Spin was a different story. Mitchell Santner, after 41 wicketless overs in Perth, was clearly picked for his batting rather than ability to tear through Australia’s batting. That was a negative, defensive move and Australia pounced to smite Santner out of the attack and further demoralise Williamson in the field.

Who knows whether Todd Astle would have been shown confidence by his skipper, but the

accomplished, attacking legspinner simply had to play. And quite why it took them until the third test to summon offspinner Will Somerville is a mystery, too. Experience in Australia, bowling into footmarks created by Boult and Wagner, turning it away from their left-handers . . . he should have been right in the frame. BATTING

Head coach Gary Stead and batting coach Peter Fulton both opened for New Zealand in test cricket. After Perth they had 10 days to get amongst their batsmen, agree on a simple gameplan knowing the bounce wouldn’t be as steep, and help them hone it.

No hard hands outside off stump must have been one mantra, against Australia’s extra

pace. Senior statesman Ross Taylor perished twice in that fashion, edging to the cordon and onto his stumps for a combined six off 32 balls. Tom Latham was dropped on nine in the first innings, then got the nick on eight and was caught second time around.

Williamson, after another marathon stint in the field in Australian heat, lost his cool late on day two. The master batsman showed a rare scrambled mind, pulling at one from Pattinson seaming wider outside off stump, and skying a catch on nine.

It exposed Taylor before stumps, and the slide was on, from which they never recovered.

Blundell, the new man, showed everyone how it was done. Leave well, evade well, let the bowlers come to you and work them into the leg side, and use your feet to Nathan Lyon.

There were glimpses from Henry Nicholls and BJ Watling but they were both fooled by Lyon, and de Grandhomme looked a walking wicket when they needed much more from him.

THE OCCASION

Boult admitted he was very nervous on day one, before 80,000 people, a quarter of them Kiwis. After all, he, Southee and Williamson weren’t even born when New Zealand last played a Boxing Day test in 1987.

The Black Caps were outplayed before 93,000 at the World Cup final at the MCG in

2015. The one-day side then rose to the big occasion at Lord’s in July, in more helpful conditions against more evenly-matched

50-over opponents.

Did they bottle it? Difficult to say, but certainly on day four the Kiwi hordes in Bay 21 who raised the decibel levels to extreme must have lifted the beaten Black Caps rather than froze them. AUSTRALIA, FAIR

This is a very good Australian side who look near unbeatable at home. New Zealand needed to play out of their skins to compete, and hope to snare David Warner and Steve Smith cheaply.

Watching Pat Cummins, James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc live was next level. They were fast, accurate and relentless, giving the batsmen little peace at

15kmh quicker than their opponents. Few other test sides, maybe India excepted, would compete.

At times it looked like men against boys, and Cummins showed why he’s ranked the world’s best with a first innings masterclass. Then there was Lyon, who mopped up the tail.

A slower pitch in Sydney will help the Black Caps, but they need a lot more to go their way to avoid 3-0.

SANTNER CLAUSE