BLACKCAPS In Australia. Second Test. WACA. Day Three.
Heroism, thine name is Ross.
After day one of this test, the BLACKCAPS looked like they were in for another demoralising demolition, such a massively disappointing way for such a hyped tour to unfold. But after some much better bowling (and some reckless/complacent Aussie batting) got them out of the first innings with a tiny shred of decency, the lads have gone about things with such impressive proficiency that after day three we’re pretty much on level terms again.
What that means in terms of getting a result in this test is an unanswered question. Right now that doesn’t matter. This was a game that was on the verge of embarrassment and now we’ve hauled it all the way back. It cannot be understated how superb this has been.
There were a number of contributors with the bat. Tom Latham’s efforts in getting things rolling yesterday were important (though out for another start, that’s frustrating). Then Doug Bracewell sticking around for almost an hour. Mark Craig getting to stumps. Brendon McCullum’s battle with Mitchell Starc.
Of course, two men deserve the most praise. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor re-emerged at the start of day three and picked up where they’d left off. Between their equal ability to milk singles and put the bad ball to the fence the runs kept ticking over. Ross passed fifty. Kane passed 100. Ross passed 100. Kane passed 150. They were already the most prolific run-scoring partnership in NZ test history and they added to that record with the country’s largest ever partnership against Australia for any wicket. 265 they added in the end, passing Nathan Astle and Adam Parore’s 253 for the eighth wicket in Perth way back in 2001. That was the game we scored four centuries in, it was a goodie.
It’s funny, because when Australia were thumping the ball to all parts, it was down to poor bowling, defensive fields and prodigious batting talent. When the kiwis started doing so it was because of a flat pitch. It definitely was a flat pitch, though. Ross the Boss and Prince Kane strolled along at a solid clip, offering almost no chances. A couple that snuck past the bat, maybe.
But Australia had an ace up their sleeve in the new ball. Williamson, who had worked his way to another clinical and sublime big century, finally misjudged one, getting around a short one far too soon off of Hazlewood and popping it up to Mitch Johnson for a simple catch. 166 he scored, coming in at 6/1 and departing at 352/3. It was beautiful, it was wonderful. It was Pure Kane.
In came Captain Mac and suddenly it was a different game. Mitch Starc was firing in and he wanted McCullum’s wicket. He thought he had it when he edged him to slip but Nathan Lyon floored a sitter. Then Mitch Marsh couldn’t hold one at backward point off Rossco's bat. More than a bit of luck but McCullum and Taylor fought hard in brutal conditions. Starc hurled one down at 160 km/h, which Taylor was able to dig out at his toes. Whether or not that was a case of a misguided speedometer, who knows (it was 5 km/h quicker than anything else he offered up) but Starc was firing lightning all the same. He actually broke Brendon’s bat with a Yorker. No kidding, he broke his freakin’ bat. On another day we’d have been skittled by that kind of bowling. Not on this one.
"I don't know, maybe someone in the truck was having a bit of fun but that delivery came out of nowhere and looked pretty similar to a lot of deliveries throughout the day that were closer to 150 than 160." - Craig McMillan
McCullum did get done for 27 a while later, castled by Marshy (anyone else feel that Mitch Marsh is a liiiiittle bit overrate by the Channel Nine team?). However the rest of the order, as long as that tail looks, was able to stick it in there. There wasn’t a partnership (aside from the first one) that lasted fewer than five overs. The bowlers lost that second wind, things settled down.
And Ross Taylor kept on chugging along. He passed Martin Crowe’s score of 188 to achieve the highest test score by a NZer against Australia. He then made it into the first double ton by a kiwi vs Aussie. Bloody marvellous for a guy who looked all at sea at times in Brisbane after a bit of a break from international cricket with that unspeakable injury he sustained in Zimbabwe. The commentators tried to make a thing of that without going into specifics – hearing Ian Smith say “Testicles” was a moment of unintentional comedy gold.
Man, Kane may be the crowned prince of NZ Cricket but Ross Taylor is still the King of this batting order. What an innings. And he’s still going, 235 not out. By this stage in David Warner’s innings the home support were already talking about Brian Lara’s record 400*, we’re not that dumb. But a triple century is not off the cards. 510/6, goddamn. Who thought we’d make it this far, anyone?
Ross Taylor also sneakily passed 5000 test runs in the process, joining Fleming, Crowe, Wright and McCullum in that company. Ka-ching.
Talking strategy now, you’d assume we come out and bat for as long as we can from here. Up against pace (and a bit of bounce) you can’t really expect the lads to hang in like they did today (once more: what amazing application) but so long as Ross is still there, nobody needs to get reckless. Should he find himself with Southee or Boult then maybe it’s time to start launching a few slog sweeps. Presumably Southee will be in next ahead of Henry, though maybe not. Craig can hold a bat anyway so there’s no reason to go out on the attack. Hopefully haul in that lead, maybe even get to 600 and try bowl the Baggy Greeners out cheaply.
It’s not impossible. If Khawaja bats, then he’ll be batting in discomfort (they’ve already said he’ll miss a few tests with that poor hamstring – you’d almost have thought it was fatal the way it was covered yesterday in the coverage). Dave Warner spent a short amount of time in the sheds too, he’s bound to be exhausted. Warner and Smith are the key wickets. Find a way to get them out cheap and early and there is a vulnerable batting line up beneath them. Much easier said than done. Most likely bet is that this one peters out into a draw. We’ll take it too.
What was so great about Taylor’s innings was how composed he was throughout. Just the one big heave, and the premeditated paddle sweeps were limited too. What he really dined on was anything too full and straight, absolutely crushing boundaries down the ground and through extra cover. Plus he knew where his gaps were and was happy to work singles. His defence off the back foot looked as shaky as Mark Richardson under the high ball last test but here he was safe and sound. Sometimes all it takes is time at the wicket.
Make no mistake, this is going down as one of our greatest ever innings under any proceeding circumstance. It’s already our ninth highest ever. With so many people sleeping on all that he’s done in the past, this was a timely reminder where he belongs.
Australia missed those two catches. They also missed a couple run out chances and fluffed a couple appeals and referrals. Kane Williamson seemed to flick a short one with his glove at one stage. Also it was a little odd that Steve Smith didn’t bowl himself a bit more. This was a tough day for the young captain. Hey but it was about time that they spent a long, steaming day in the field. How d’ya like them apples, ya smug buggers?
Also, whoever the hell set up the sight screen should maybe start checking the want-ads. It took 15 minutes to move them across, the remote controls not working and apparently you can’t just push them without hitting MANUAL OVERRIDE. And that’s obviously way harder than it sounds. They took drinks in the middle of an over while that was sorted. Slightly shambolic. Also the balls keep going out of shape. Hopefully the pink ones are made of stronger stuff.
But let’s leave this one to the man of the moment. Two hundred and thirty five not out and counting.