If Australia vice-captain Brad Haddin thinks his side dodged a bullet after rain washed out day three's final session of the second trans-Tasman Test, he should think again.
Haddin almost breathed a sigh of relief when the openers fighting for their futures - Phil Hughes and David Warner - did not return to the field after showers drenched Bellerive Oval late on Sunday.
"I don't think the rain was that bad for us," he said.
"If you look at the Test match the last session has been quite overcast and it (the ball) has started to move around again - so I think we are in a good position."
Warner (a Test-best 47 not out) and Hughes (20 not out) will resume at 0 for 72 chasing 241 for victory on Monday after both survived close calls against New Zealand.
But statistics show their biggest test is yet to come.
A total of 19 wickets have fallen in the first session over the first three days, ensuring a tough initiation for two openers yet to find their feet in Test cricket.
Hughes has averaged eight in his past four innings while Warner is looking to finally flex his muscles in just his second Test.
Both are likely to be discarded ahead of the four-Test series opener against India starting on Boxing Day with Shane Watson and Shaun Marsh returning from injury.
However, Haddin believed the all-NSW combination had shown they belonged in Tests.
"It has been hard work batting at the top of the order with that new ball.
"I thought they applied themselves well, they hit the balls that needed to be hit but they also left well which I think is important.
"The wicket is starting to play a lot better ... we have just got to make sure we are on (form)."
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, hobart-7000, tas, australia First posted December 12, 2011 09:09:12
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