New Zealand cricket has been given a huge boost after the Black Caps ended the agonising wait for a Test win over their neighbours, says All Out Cricket’s New Zealand correspondent James Henderson.
Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, Steve Waugh, Sir Donald Bradman, Richie Benaud – are you reading? Your boys took one hell of a beating! Kiwi paceman Doug Bracewell made history as he ripped through the heart of Australia to claim a seven-run win and ensure the Black Caps’ first Test victory across the ditch for 26 years.
Unsurprisngly, the Aussie press have focused their attention on their own side’s shortcomings rather than the stunning comeback from their rivals, but over here in New Zealand, Ross Taylor’s men are receiving due praise – and in particular their matchwinner Bracewell who returned match figures of 9-60 after a shaky start to the series in Brisbane.
Journalists in Hobart blamed another middle-order collapse for Australia’s defeat, but that doesn’t do justice to a devastating performance from the Kiwi seamers that saw Clarke, Ponting, Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin fall for less than 50 runs collectively in a chaotic rush of wickets.
It looked as though even two balls delivered at once would have struggled to dismiss David Warner, who roared to an unconquered 123 and provided the only resistance in a toothless final innings for the hosts. But even the short-format specialist couldn’t win the Test single-handedly. Desperate to shield Nathan Lyon from the strike, he was powerless to prevent Bracewell nipping one back off the seam to breach the spinner’s defences and send waves across the Tasman.
Bracewell’s performance was undoubtedly the stand-out as the 21-year-old proved both menacing and economical and provided welcome support to the old warhorse Chris Martin, who led the attack superbly and the made the crucial inroads in Australia’s first innings.
Youngster Trent Boult, thrust into Test cricket on the morning of the match after Daniel Vettori succumbed to a hamstring injury, also deserves praise for four wickets and some very handy tail-end runs, while Dean Brownline built on a promising to start to his Test career with a backs-to-the-wall half-century in the first dig.
There was an element of risk in introducing inexperienced cricketers to face New Zealand’s old foes in a crunch Test series but the move paid dividends for the selectors and it is that combination of youth and experience that should stand the side in good stead for the future. Kiwi fans are now eager to see how their side get on in the one-off home clash with Zimbabwe in January before the huge test of South Africa in February.
As the crowds dispersed from Hobart in disbelief, Taylor’s troops returned to the field to spray bubbly and celebrate a victory that has been a long time in coming. Granted, the result does not suddenly make New Zealand world-beaters and the top-order in particular is prone to folding alarmingly, as witnessed in both Brisbane and Hobart. The Kiwis remain ranked eighth in the world in Test cricket but the skill, persistence and passion demonstrated at the Bellerive Oval bodes well for the future.
A drawn series may have seen Australia retain the Trans-Tasman Trophy but New Zealand regained something more substantial with a famous win in Hobart – their cricketing pride.
Click here to read an Englishman living in Melbourne’s reaction to Australia’s defeat.
Long Awaited Victory Over Rivals Restores Kiwi Pride
New Zealand cricket has been given a huge boost after the Black Caps ended the agonising wait for a Test win over their neighbours, says All Out Cricket’s New Zealand correspondent James Henderson.
Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, Steve Waugh, Sir Donald Bradman, Richie Benaud – are you reading? Your boys took one hell of a beating! Kiwi paceman Doug Bracewell made history as he ripped through the heart of Australia to claim a seven-run win and ensure the Black Caps’ first Test victory across the ditch for 26 years.
Unsurprisngly, the Aussie press have focused their attention on their own side’s shortcomings rather than the stunning comeback from their rivals, but over here in New Zealand, Ross Taylor’s men are receiving due praise – and in particular their matchwinner Bracewell who returned match figures of 9-60 after a shaky start to the series in Brisbane.
Journalists in Hobart blamed another middle-order collapse for Australia’s defeat, but that doesn’t do justice to a devastating performance from the Kiwi seamers that saw Clarke, Ponting, Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin fall for less than 50 runs collectively in a chaotic rush of wickets.
It looked as though even two balls delivered at once would have struggled to dismiss David Warner, who roared to an unconquered 123 and provided the only resistance in a toothless final innings for the hosts. But even the short-format specialist couldn’t win the Test single-handedly. Desperate to shield Nathan Lyon from the strike, he was powerless to prevent Bracewell nipping one back off the seam to breach the spinner’s defences and send waves across the Tasman.
Bracewell’s performance was undoubtedly the stand-out as the 21-year-old proved both menacing and economical and provided welcome support to the old warhorse Chris Martin, who led the attack superbly and the made the crucial inroads in Australia’s first innings.
Youngster Trent Boult, thrust into Test cricket on the morning of the match after Daniel Vettori succumbed to a hamstring injury, also deserves praise for four wickets and some very handy tail-end runs, while Dean Brownline built on a promising to start to his Test career with a backs-to-the-wall half-century in the first dig.
There was an element of risk in introducing inexperienced cricketers to face New Zealand’s old foes in a crunch Test series but the move paid dividends for the selectors and it is that combination of youth and experience that should stand the side in good stead for the future. Kiwi fans are now eager to see how their side get on in the one-off home clash with Zimbabwe in January before the huge test of South Africa in February.
As the crowds dispersed from Hobart in disbelief, Taylor’s troops returned to the field to spray bubbly and celebrate a victory that has been a long time in coming. Granted, the result does not suddenly make New Zealand world-beaters and the top-order in particular is prone to folding alarmingly, as witnessed in both Brisbane and Hobart. The Kiwis remain ranked eighth in the world in Test cricket but the skill, persistence and passion demonstrated at the Bellerive Oval bodes well for the future.
A drawn series may have seen Australia retain the Trans-Tasman Trophy but New Zealand regained something more substantial with a famous win in Hobart – their cricketing pride.
Click here to read an Englishman living in Melbourne’s reaction to Australia’s defeat.