Rain ruins Black Caps' victory hopes

Updated November 13, 2012 07:15:06

New Zealand's hopes of posting a consolation win against Sri Lanka were shattered by rain as the fifth and final one-day international was called off after 28.3 overs in Hambantota on Monday.

Sri Lanka won the five-match series 3-0, with the first and last one-dayers abandoned due to rain.

New Zealand was strongly placed to register its first win of the series as it reduced Sri Lanka to 8 for 123, with fast bowler Tim Southee taking three wickets to put the hosts under pressure.

Southee, who finished with 3 for 18 off 5.3 disciplined overs, was brilliantly supported by seamers Andrew Ellis (2 for 22), Trent Boult (1 for 23) and Adam Milne (1 for 17) to give his team a hope of victory.

Opener Upul Tharanga (60) top-scored for Sri Lanka, cracking eight fours before being caught by wicket-keeper Bradley-John Watling off Southee in the 29th over.

He added 47 for the fifth wicket with skipper Mahela Jayawardene (24), the highest stand of the innings, after four wickets had fallen for 44 runs.

Southee did the early damage when he bowled opener Dinesh Chandimal for no score and then had Lahiru Thirimanne caught behind to reduce Sri Lanka to 2 for 33.

Thirimanne, promoted in the batting order, contributed a 15-ball 17 with three boundaries.

Boult dismissed Angelo Mathews before Milne got his maiden one-day wicket when he had Kumar Sangakkara caught behind for 5.

Sri Lanka made two changes from the side that played the last match, bringing in paceman Shaminda Eranga and debutant spinner Akila Dananjaya in place of Nuwan Kulasekara and Rangana Herath. New Zealand retained the same side.

Sri Lanka and New Zealand will now play a two-Test series starting in Galle on Saturday.

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, sri-lanka, new-zealand

First posted November 13, 2012 07:15:06

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Sri Lanka beat Black Caps in super over

Updated September 28, 2012 07:43:07

Sri Lanka beat New Zealand in a one-over eliminator after the 40-over Super Eights contest was sensationally tied at Pallekele stadium on Thursday night.

With both teams inseparable on 174 runs at the end of 40 overs a 'super over' round was played for the result.

New Zealand paceman Tim Southee restricted Sri Lanka to 1 for 13 but Lasith Malinga managed better, finishing the New Zealand innings five short of his team's total.

It was the seventh tied match in all Twenty20 cricket, with New Zealand involved in four of them.

Tillakaratne Dilshan (76) had put Sri Lanka on course for a successful run chase before New Zealand pulled back through some accurate bowling and fielding.

Sri Lanka were in a spot of bother when they lost Kumar Sangakkara (21) and Jeevan Mendis (eight) in quick succession, needing 38 from the last four overs.

With Sri Lanka needing 21 off the final two overs, Dilshan hit James Franklin for a six off the first ball before he was run out off the next, leaving Sri Lanka to make 15 off the final 10 deliveries.

It boiled down to eight off the final over. Lahiru Thirimanne hit a boundary off Southee's penultimate delivery but was run out off the final ball, luckily for New Zealand the ball hitting the stumps after coming off Ross Taylor's knee.

Dilshan hit three sixes and five boundaries during his 53-ball knock.

Mahela Jayawardene, who scored 44 in the match, showed delight at the win.

"It's nice to have a win under your belt so the pressure eases down," said the Sri Lankan captain.

"Judging by Taylor's reaction on the last ball we thought we had won but it needed a super over."

Taylor said he was proud of his team's fightback.

"To lose tight matches is always disappointing," said Taylor. "But from the situation we were in I thought we fought back very hard and never gave up. I am proud of my team."

New Zealand owed their total to a career best fifty by opener Rob Nicol.

Nicol hit Ajantha Mendis for three sixes in the 15th over during his 40-ball 58 after New Zealand won the toss and batted.

The 29-year-old, who in all hit four sixes and three boundaries, put on a brisk 57 for the opening wicket with Martin Guptill (38) and 42 for the second with Brendon McCullum (25) before he fell in the 16th over.

Nicol's previous Twenty20 highest was 56 against Zimbabwe at Hamilton earlier this year.

Mendis, who took 6 for 8 in the first round match against Zimbabwe to register the best bowling figures in all Twenty20 internationals, went for 48 runs for his only wicket in four overs, his last costing 24.

In contrast newcomer Akila Dananjaya took 2 for 32. Taylor chipped in with a brisk 23.

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, sri-lanka

First posted September 28, 2012 07:43:07

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Hogg baffles Black Caps in warm-up

Updated September 15, 2012 18:08:07

The evergreen Brad Hogg took three wickets as Australia thrashed New Zealand by 56 runs in a low scoring warm-up for the Twenty20 World Cup.

The Aussies made just 6 for 139 after being put in at the Nondescripts Cricket Club in Colombo but the Black Caps collapsed to 83 all out.

Hogg's haul including the wickets of the two Kiwi top-scorers Ross Taylor (22) and Kane Williamson (17).

The frontline seamers all bowled well with Clint McKay on his comeback from a hamstring injury taking 2 for 14, Shane Watson 2 for 7 and Pat Cummins 2 for 13.

This venue is not one of the three venues which will be used when the tournament gets underway on Tuesday and it remains to be seen whether the other wickets will prove as difficult to score on.

Earlier, just as they did in the third Twenty20 clash against Pakistan, openers Watson (27) and David Warner (24) gave Australia a good start, with the latter hitting two sixes and a four from 14 balls before departing with the score at 1 for 28 off 4.1 overs.

Thereafter the innings fell away until Glenn Maxwell (24), Matthew Wade (25) and Dan Christian (11 from 3 balls) salvaged a defendable total with late order hitting.

Mike Hussey departed for five while Cameron White, who is likely to battle for a place in the side with David Hussey, was caught at deep square leg for 8.

Skipper George Bailey was fourth man out with the score on 62, caught sweeping for 3.

The prize wicket came in the 12th over when Watson, with wickets tumbling all around him, popped a simple catch to mid-off from the bowling of Doug Bracewell (2 for 31) at 5 for 71.

Maxwell then continued his good form while Christian and Wade smashed 22 from the last one-and-a-half overs.

Adam Milne claimed 2 for 27 while spinners Daniel Vettori and Nathan McCullum took one wicket each.

ABC/AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, australia, new-zealand

First posted September 15, 2012 17:43:37

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India defeats Black Caps in first Test

Updated August 26, 2012 21:00:25

India defeated New Zealand by an innings and 115 runs on the penultimate day of the opening Test in Hyderabad to gain a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

New Zealand, following on after conceding a 279-run lead, was bowled out for 164 in its second innings in the final session.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took six wickets and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha three for India, while Kane Williamson top-scored for New Zealand with 52.

The second and final Test starts in Bangalore on August 31.

AFP

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First posted August 26, 2012 21:00:25

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Black Caps under pressure as Windies strike

Updated July 29, 2012 09:46:07

New Zealand was up against it at stumps on the fourth day of its second Test against West Indies in Antigua after two breakthroughs for the hosts left the Kiwis at 3 for 199, just 28 runs ahead.

Looking to erase a 171-run first-innings deficit, opener Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum strove manfully to move the Black Caps towards positive territory but both fell after taking the tourists to 1 for 170 at one stage in the final session.

West Indies spinner Sunil Narine, who pulled out a maiden five-wicket Test haul in the first innings, made the first breakthrough in the second innings after trapping Daniel Flynn lbw for 20 in an early blow for the Kiwis.

But thereafter Guptill, who just missed a century in the first innings, and McCullum piled on the runs before falling for 67 and 84 as Narine and Kemar Roach claimed their respective scalps.

Guptill and McCullum had put on 123 for the second wicket before spinner Narine had opener Guptill caught by Assad Fudadin at short leg.

Kemar Roach then bowled McCullum to leave nightwatchman Neil Wagner on four not out with skipper Ross Taylor on 11.

West Indies had earlier made the Kiwis' opening tally of 351 look modest as they made 522 all out with skipper Darren Sammy instrumental in helping his compatriots to pass the 500 mark for the first time since Mumbai last year.

Sammy helped himself to a six over deep midwicket to bring up his third Test half-century before falling next ball to Daniel Vettori.

They reached the mark when Narine hit a boundary off Vettori before getting himself run out two balls later.

It then fell to Doug Bracewell to end the West Indies' first innings as he trapped Ravi Rampaul lbw for one before Guptill, who scored 97 in the first innings for the New Zealanders, and Flynn padded up to start chasing down the target.

Although Guptill and McCullum made light of the loss of Flynn their own demise suggested the West Indies looked the likelier victor.

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, antigua-and-barbuda

First posted July 29, 2012 09:43:19

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Black Caps secure first win of tour

Updated July 12, 2012 12:20:52

New Zealand bowled out West Indies for just 161 to earn an 88-run win, its first victory on the tour of the Caribbean, in the third one day international in St Kitts.

After suffering defeats in the two Twenty20 internationals in Florida and then the opening two one-dayers, the Black Caps needed a win to keep alive their hopes in the five game ODI series.

Half-centuries from opener Rob Nicol and Nathan McCullum helped the tourists to 9 for 249 from their allotted 50 overs.

That total looked to be modest on a flat track at Warner Park with the short boundary an inviting one for the big-hitting West Indies batting line-up.

New Zealand's injury problems on the tour continued with wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling having to be replaced behind the stumps by Tom Latham after suffering a leg injury while running during his innings.

But West Indies never recovered after losing their opening pair of Johnson Charles (15) and Chris Gayle (11) cheaply as New Zealand's bowlers stuck to their task.

Gayle, who had struck 125 and 63 in the two games in his hometown of Kingston, Jamaica, was caught by Nicol at slip off Tim Southee's medium pace after Charles had been trapped lbw by ODI debutant Trent Boult.

The heart of the West Indies top order then self-destructed with Dwayne Bravo run out trying to make an improbable third and Marlon Samuels dismissed in the same fashion via some outstanding work from Martin Guptill.

The two run outs left West Indies at five for 62 and the pressure on their middle order but Kieron Pollard's ill-advised slog over mid-wicket was pocketed by substitute Dean Brownlie and when skipper Darren Sammy was caught and bowled by McCullum (7) the home side were in deep trouble at 95 for seven.

An unbeaten 42 from 40 balls from Andre Russell came too as the Caribbean side offered a glimmer of hope to New Zealand in the series.

Reuters

Tags: sport, cricket, saint-kitts-and-nevis, new-zealand

First posted July 12, 2012 12:12:25

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Black Caps build lead over India

Updated September 03, 2012 09:39:25

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin bagged five wickets to throw the second and final Test against New Zealand wide open on the third day in Bangalore.

Ashwin finished with 5 for 69, his fifth haul of five or more wickets in a Test innings, as New Zealand reached 9 for 232 in its second innings at stumps for an overall lead of 244.

New Zealand paceman Tim Southee earlier grabbed a maiden seven-wicket haul as India was bowled out for 353 in its first innings in the morning in reply to the tourists' 365.

The 23-year-old finished with 7 for 64, the best by a New Zealander in a Test innings in India.

New Zealand was struggling at 5 for 140 before James Franklin (41) and Kruger van Wyk (31) added 55 crucial runs for the sixth wicket to boost its team's hopes of setting a competitive fourth-innings target.

Ashwin struck vital blows when he had Franklin stumped and then trapped van Wyk lbw before accounting for Southee in the last session.

"I don't think the wicket is doing so much that we have to be worried about the target. If we bat three-four sessions, we should be in a good position to win the match," said Indian batsman Virat Kohli, who scored a century on day two.

Indian paceman Umesh Yadav did the early damage when he removed both the openers in his successive overs. He bowled Martin Guptill (7) with a full-toss and had Brendon McCullum (23) caught behind.

Skipper Ross Taylor, who scored an aggressive 113 in the first innings, contributed 35 this time as he was trapped leg-before while attempting to sweep left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha.

Ashwin, who took 12 wickets in his team's win by an innings and 115 runs in the opening Test, also had Kane Williamson (13) and Daniel Flynn (31) caught by Virender Sehwag in the slips.

New Zealand earlier struck with the second new ball, which was taken immediately after it was due, as India added 70 runs to its overnight total of 5 for 283.

Southee, playing his 19th Test, claimed four of the five wickets that fell in the morning, including those of middle-order batsman Kohli (103) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (62).

He took all of his wickets with the second new ball, conceding 28 runs in his lively eight-over spell.

"I think he (Southee) really bowled very well. It was a wonderful performance. Seven wickets in India is not just something that he would remember, that's what we all would remember as well," said New Zealand assistant coach Bob Carter.

"Now we have a handy lead and that has given us an opportunity in this game. We have three young bowlers who are raring to go. We are going to look to make the ball swing and get into a good enough position to press for a win."

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, india

First posted September 02, 2012 22:03:38

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Black Caps fend off hostile Proteas

Updated March 26, 2012 13:53:52

Martin Guptill and Daniel Flynn battled hostile pace bowling to guide New Zealand to 0 for 65 loss at the close of the third day's play in the third Test against South Africa at the Basin Reserve on Sunday.

The pair's opening stand was the highest of the series against South Africa and only the second time New Zealand's openers have passed 50 in the southern hemisphere summer.

Guptill and Brendon McCullum posted 124 against Zimbabwe in Napier in January.

Guptill was on 28, while Flynn, who was struck at least twice on the body as he tried to duck, weave and bob his way past the short-pitched bowling, was on 35 after the first full day's play in the weather-hit match.

The first two days of the Test had been badly affected by rain with more than seven hours of play lost, while both days also ended early due to bad light.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith had declared the visitors' first innings closed at 9 for 474 shortly after tea, with Mark Gillespie taking 6 for 113.

Vernon Philander (29) was the final wicket to fall when he was caught on the boundary by Flynn to give Gillespie his sixth victim, following up his 5 for 59 in the second Test in Hamilton.

Alviro Petersen top scored with 156, while JP Duminy scored 103 for the visitors, who look to have batted New Zealand out of the Test and series.

South Africa resumed the day on 2 for 246 with Petersen on 96 and Duminy on 76 with the pair wasting little time to bring up their centuries.

The 31-year-old Petersen, who had accumulated just 66 runs at an average of 16.5 in four Test innings in New Zealand, punched a Chris Martin delivery through the covers for two then cut him square for his 13th boundary.

Duminy followed him to the milestone shortly afterwards when he flicked a Gillespie delivery behind square for his second Test century.

His celebrations were short lived, however, as he went hard at a good length delivery in Gillespie's next over and was caught by Ross Taylor at first slip, just after he and Petersen had brought up their 200-run partnership.

Duminy was the only wicket to fall in the first session, before New Zealand had some success after lunch.

At one stage the hosts took four wickets for 42 runs, before Mark Boucher and Philander steadied the innings.

South Africa upped its tempo after tea with Boucher caught by Kane Williamson in the gully for 46 before Philander holed out on the boundary to force Smith to end the innings.

Reuters

Tags: cricket, sport, new-zealand

First posted March 25, 2012 18:30:42

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Black Caps seal series sweep

Updated February 10, 2012 06:28:52

New Zealand has completed a 3-0 whitewash over Zimbabwe in their one-day international cricket series, helped by a century from captain Brendon McCullum.

The Black Caps won the final ODI in Napier on Thursday by 202 runs after the tourists never threatened to chase down the target of 374.

Only captain Brendan Taylor, with 65, offered any real resistance as Zimbabwe was bowled out for 171 in 44 overs.

It was the fourth successive heavy defeat for the tourists, after they were beaten by an innings and 301 runs in the one-off Test, and by 90 and 141 runs in the first two one-dayers.

McCullum won the toss at McLean Park and had no hesitation in batting on a good wicket.

New Zealand's total of 8 for 373, its highest on home soil, was set up by a another century partnership from openers Martin Guptill and Rob Nicol.

The pair put on 153, at seven runs an over, to go with their 131-run stand in game two in Whangarei, when Nicol made a century and the Black Caps ended on a similar score of 6 for 372.

Nicol got 61 before the stand was broken, while Guptill fell in the next delivery after making 85 from 69 balls in his third half-century of the series.

Zimbabwe was able to slow down the scoring during the middle stages of New Zealand's innings, before McCullum, batting at number four, picked up the pace on the way to 119, his fourth ODI ton.

He had a life on 48 when Regis Chakabva spilled a regulation catch at long-off.

There was also a stutter when batting partner Andrew Ellis was run out as he tried to make it home for the run that would have got his captain to three figures.

McCullum made no mistake the next ball, driving to long off for a single.

He was dismissed on the final ball of the innings as he went for one last slog to try to improve his tally of seven fours and five sixes.

Zimbabwe completes its tour with two Twenty20 internationals, the first in Auckland on Saturday.

AAP

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First posted February 09, 2012 20:05:55

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Rain halts Black Caps' charge

Updated January 27, 2012 17:18:56

Torrential rain dashed New Zealand's hopes of building an imposing first-innings lead in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe, with an injury to captain Ross Taylor further frustrating the home side.

The Black Caps began the day at 5 for 331 and looked to be comfortably approaching Taylor's stated target of 450-plus as they advanced to 392 without further loss.

But a downpour ended play mid-way through the first session and officials abandoned play late in the afternoon when it became apparent the weather would not clear.

In a further setback for the Black Caps, Taylor was forced to retire hurt early in the day after taking his overnight score of 111 to 122.

He took off for a quick single but pulled up mid-wicket clutching his right calf and limped to the non-striker's end, unable to continue despite on-field treatment from the team physio.

Under rule changes introduced in October, Taylor was unable to call for a runner, bringing tail-ender Doug Bracewell to the crease.

Bracewell should have been dismissed two overs later but was given a life when Forster Mutizwa grounded an easy catch at extra cover.

BJ Watling, shouldering responsibility as the last established batsman, upped the tempo after previously contenting himself with a support role and brought up his half-century just before the heavens opened.

Watling ended the day on 52 not out, with Bracewell on 11.

With fine weather forecast for Saturday, New Zealand will be looking to add runs early and hoping an attack that includes four seamers can find the penetration that has so far eluded Zimbabwe's bowlers.

There have only been two results in nine Tests at Napier and New Zealand has never won at the venue.

AFP

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First posted January 27, 2012 17:12:38

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Taylor ton gives Black Caps advantage

Updated January 26, 2012 17:05:18

An unbeaten century by captain Ross Taylor gave New Zealand the upper hand after the first day of the one-off Test against Zimbabwe in Napier.

At stumps on Thursday, the Black Caps were 5 for 331 in their first innings, with Taylor on 112 and BJ Watling on 15.

Taylor has hit 13 fours and two sixes, and his century is his sixth in Tests and his second at McLean Park.

He and former captain Daniel Vettori shared in an 82-run fifth-wicket partnership that helped to steady the ship after the Black Caps lost two quick wickets to be 4 for 196.

Both sides had expected the pitch to be bowler-friendly and it was no surprise when Zimbabwe skipper Brendan Taylor elected to field when he won the toss.

But there were few apparent terrors as openers Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill put on a century stand against an attack that lacked penetration.

The pair reached 124, before the tourists made a double breakthrough.

Guptill, on 51, was the first to go when he was caught behind for debutant seamer Shingirai Masakadza's first Test wicket.

Kane Williamson, on four, was then run out in a mix-up with McCullum.

McCullum and Taylor consolidated to get New Zealand to 2 for 195 before Zimbabwe again struck twice in quick time.

McCullum, who had hit eight fours and two sixes, was on 83 when seamer Kyle Jarvis trapped him LBW.

Jarvis should have had new batsman Dean Brownlie in the same over as well, but Brendan Taylor spilled a chance at second slip and wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu could not grab the rebound.

Brownlie's luck ran out in the next over when he edged a ball from medium-pacer Hamilton Masakadza to Taibu for a duck.

Vettori showed a willingness to play his strokes, hitting seven fours in reaching 38, but fell to a slick stumping by Taibu off leg spinner Graeme Cremer.

Hamilton Masakadza had the best figures of the Zimbabwe bowlers, with 1 for 33 off 16 overs.

AAP

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First posted January 26, 2012 16:57:30

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Arnel to boost Black Caps attack

Updated December 04, 2011 18:00:13

Seam bowler Brent Arnel will join the New Zealand squad for the second Test beginning in Hobart on Friday.

The Black Caps struggled in the first Test, losing by nine wickets in three-and-a-half days in Brisbane.

New Zealand coach John Wright says it is important to add bowling depth.

"Brent has been bowling well in the Plunket Shield for Northern and offers us another seam option," he said.

"The conditions in Hobart are likely to be slower so he comes into the frame."

Arnel will bring squad numbers up to the full complement of 14 players, joining the team in Brisbane on Monday before travelling with the side to Hobart for the second Test.

AAP

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First posted December 04, 2011 18:00:13

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Cairns excited about Black Caps' chances

Updated November 29, 2011 21:06:45

Former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns has declared the Black Caps have their best chance of beating Australia in a Test series since 1985.

The Black Caps tackle an injury-hit and inexperienced Australia line-up in a two-Test series starting on Thursday in Brisbane.

They have won only one series in Australia, a Sir Richard Hadlee-inspired 2-1 win in the 1985/86 summer, which also provided them with their only Test victories on these shores.

But Cairns, the Black Caps' third highest wicket-taker after claiming 218 scalps from 64 Tests, believes Australia is vulnerable given they have selected a youthful bowling attack.

Uncapped trio Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson and Ben Cutting are vying for two spots alongside spearhead Peter Siddle and off-spinner Nathan Lyon for the Gabba Test.

"Since 85 when Hadlee took nine-for ... we had a draw in 2001, but other than that it's almost been just about trying to get a game to go three or four days, which we've struggled to do," Cairns said.

"This New Zealand side is not overawed. They shouldn't be because this attack Australia has at the moment is very inexperienced. They've just got to put pressure on them."

Cairns says the selection of Starc, Pattinson and Cutting is a risk and that he is surprised Australia did not call-up Tasmania quick Ben Hilfenhaus to take on the Black Caps.

"Personally, you've got Siddle, I would have put Hilfenhaus in there as well," he said.

"At least you know he's played Test cricket, you're going to have two guys that have never played Test cricket.

"If they don't get it right in the first session, it plays on your mind.

"To expect the two young guys to come in, and you've also got the spinner Lyon, whose pretty inexperienced as well.

"New Zealand's just got to weather it for a little bit and then put the pressure on them."

Cairns says the series also represents a chance for captain Ross Taylor as well as star batsmen Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder - who all scored centuries in the warm-up match against Australia A last week in Brisbane - to set new standards in their careers.

"It's time now for McCullum, Taylor, Ryder to move into being excellent Test players," he said.

"Going from being very good, which they are, into excellence."

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, australia

First posted November 29, 2011 20:10:04

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Black Caps maintain advantage

Updated November 03, 2011 12:38:49

New Zealand maintained the upper hand in its one-off Test against Zimbabwe, despite the hosts fighting back strongly throughout the second day at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

Zimbabwe went to stumps at 1 for 82 with opener Vusi Sibanda unbeaten on 53, as it responded to New Zealand's first innings total of 426.

Fast bowler Chris Mpofu claimed career-best figures of 4 for 92 as New Zealand lost its last five wickets for just 25 runs, leaving it short of the hefty total it looked destined for when it resumed on 3 for 275 on the second morning.

Although Zimbabwe opener Tino Mawoyo was trapped lbw by Daniel Vettori in the left-arm spinner's second over, Sibanda put on an unbroken stand of 58 with Hamilton Masakadza to leave Zimbabwe 344 runs adrift at the close of play with nine wickets in hand.

AFP

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First posted November 03, 2011 12:38:49

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Black Caps see off auditioning quicks

By Quentin Hull

Updated November 25, 2011 08:01:06

A green pitch, overcast conditions at Allan Border Field, and four quicks desperate to press claims for Test selection.

The scene set was for carnage as New Zealand's cricket tour began in Brisbane on Thursday.

Australia A captain George Bailey duly inserted the tourists as the coin fell his way and the carnage began - from the bat of Black Caps keeper-batsman Brendon McCullum.

The tattooed opener smashed 146 from 115 balls and was a beacon on a weather-interrupted opening day of the four-day Test precursor.

When bad light forced an early finish the Black Caps were 4 for 290 from 67 overs. Captain Ross Taylor will resume on 45 alongside Perth-born Dean Brownlie 21.

Play started half an hour late on a day that loomed as a Test audition for Australia's best young quicks but turned into a confidence boost for the tourists under a canopy of Brisbane cloud.

McCullum's first 50 came at a run-a-ball and the onslaught accelerated from there.

He registered his 11th first-class century from just 85 deliveries and by the time he nicked Ben Hilfenhaus to keeper Matthew Wade he had hit 21 fours and half a dozen sixes.

The foil was Auckland right-hander Martin Guptill who was relatively untroubled posting 43 in the opening partnership of 148.

Despite the Albion ground's relatively short boundaries square of the wicket, there was no hiding the calibre of McCullum's innings.

Despite the battering he gave the bowlers there was a wry sense of delight in the crowd as McCullum will become a 'local' later in the summer as one of Brisbane Heat's key signings for the T20 Big Bash.

The 58-Test veteran's knock exacerbated the mystery surrounding the make-up of the hosts Test attack so close to the traditional Australian international opener at the Gabba.

Mitchell Johnson's foot and form is a worry. Ryan Harris is keen to play but it seems the Australian selectors are keener to ensure he is fit for Boxing Day.

It is a tough call for selectors when there is a team in need yet an unreliable body carrying the bravado of an undoubted
competitor.

Reports from the Apple Isle suggest Hilfenhaus is getting back to his best and NSW left-armer Mitchell Starc was impressive in the recently completed Sheffield Shield match across town.

Neither leapt to the front of the queue with their day-one performances.

Ben Cutting's domestic form has been irrepressible for the Bulls but there is strong word he started this match fourth in line for higher honours of the Australia A pace battery.

The fact Michael Beer was given three overs before Cutting was thrown the ball on the opening morning did nothing to dispel that line of thought.

James Pattinson might be the closest from those playing at Border Field.

He was picked in the Test squad for the Sri Lankan tour and on Thursday claimed 2 for 65 from 12 overs where his aggression was evident but at times climbed on by one of world cricket's cleanest hitters.

While not in sight at the tour match, Trent Copeland is far from out of mind.

He carried the drinks in South Africa and his skill to move the ball makes him a difficult proposition at the Gabba.

Only a year ago Peter Siddle was an Ashes hat-trick hero in Brisbane but now solidity, fitness and work ethic may be enough for him to see the opening Test of this Australian summer.

A sore hamstring is preventing the prospect of Doug Bollinger getting another chance despite his impressive first innings bowling display against the Queensland last week.

At least the family of Patrick "Kid" Cummins can book their flights to see the 18-year-old make his first appearance for Australia on home soil if his heel recovers adequately from his Johannesburg heroics.

The discussion of 'pick your team' has rarely has so much fuel and variety - and that is only the bowling.

Messers Warner, Cowan and Wade could confuse or clarify things even further as this tour match continues.

Tags: cricket, sport, albion-4010, qld, australia

First posted November 24, 2011 18:44:27

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Buchanan to help Black Caps

Posted April 15, 2011 16:15:00

Former Australia coach John Buchanan has been confirmed as the new director of cricket for trans-Tasman rival New Zealand.

The 58-year-old Buchanan coached Australia from 1999 to 2007, when it won two one-day World Cups and had a world record of 16 successive Test victories.

He also acted as a consultant for England before its recent Ashes series in Australia, which the tourists won 3-1.

Buchanan, who will be in charge of the high performance program and implement consistent coaching and talent identification programs, will take up his position in May.

- Reuters

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