Heroics and high drama
The Black Caps have given themselves a royal chance to end 31 years of test hurt at home to Australia.
New Zealand enjoyed a day three for the ages at Hagley Oval in Christchurch yesterday to put them in a commanding position for a rare test win over Australia.
As Semisonic’s hit tune Closing Time blasted out over the ground speakers with 40 minutes left in the day’s play, it felt apt with Australia 38-4.
The last time New Zealand beat Australia in a test at home (March 1993 at Eden Park) most of this playing XI were either in nappies or not born. New Zealand have won just eight of the 62 tests in history against their trans-Tasman rival.
At stumps, Australia were 77-4, needing a further 202 runs to pull off victory and a 2-0 series sweep. New Zealand will likely have to do it a bowler down too with Scott Kuggeleijn not bowling in the second innings with a foot issue.
With Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head at the crease, Australia will still fancy their chances of a fightback win. New Zealand cricket fans will know they’ve been burned too many times to remember in powerful positions against the old foe over the years.
Set 279 to win, New Zealand made a dream start with the ball late in the day with Steve Smith’s horrible series continuing and Marnus Labuschagne also falling cheaply.
Henry picked up his eighth wicket for the test, trapping Smith in front for nine.
Debutant Ben Sears thought he had
Labuschagne with his second ball, but he was shelled at first slip by Daryl Mitchell, his second drop of the test.
Sears was elated when two balls later he held onto a leading edge from Labuschagne on his follow through. He had another when first test century-maker Cameron Green dragged onto his stumps.
Australia were in further strife at 30-3 after Henry struck again with Tim Southee pulling in a ripper, one-handed diving to his left at third slip, to send Usman Khawaja on his way.
New Zealand enjoyed a pleasing day with the bat, adding a further 238 runs after starting the day at 134-2. Having fallen to 296-6 (a lead of 202), New Zealand’s lower order could have easily crumbled.
New Zealand needed to stand up with the bat in their second dig after being rolled for under 200 in all three previous innings in the series.*
With the test effectively on the line, they did just that, reaching the 300 mark for the first time in 10 innings against Australia.
Ravindra (82) and Mitchell (58) anchored New Zealand’s batting with the pair teaming up for the second century stand of the innings. It was some partnership from the duo, who played positively and were able to score freely. They refused to let offspinner Nathan Lyon settle, while also frustrating the Australian quicks.
Ravindra and Mitchell added 88 runs together before lunch from just 137 balls, ticking over the runs.
The second new ball was always going to be pivotal for Australia and that’s how it played out with Ravindra and Mitchell both dismissed quickly. When Tom Blundell fell to a diving Labuschagne at cover, New Zealand had slumped from 278-3 to 296-6, losing 3-18.
Australia were suddenly smelling blood with the lead at 202 and four wickets to go.
Kuggeleijn and Glenn Phillips teamed up a critical 53-run seventh wicket stand from just 72 balls. Kuggeleijn clubbed two sixes, smacking Green over cow corner, then depositing Mitchell Starc into the crowd.
He was the last wicket to fall, held at deep midwicket, with New Zealand losing their last three wickets for one run.