BLACKCAPS In Australia. Third Test. Adelaide. Day One
Go on, ya twat.
Watching the evening session of the first day/night Test, it was hard not to get caught up in the buzz. The pink ball nipped around under lights and over 40,000 cricket fans found their voice as they cheered every Australian run and sung the odd song/chant. You could feel the excitement in the air; not only was history being made, everyone was having fun while doing so.
Australia hold the advantage after the first day. Steve Smith and Adam Voges are not out, although unlike in previous Tests Smith, especially, saw the ball miss his outside edge enough times to keep the kiwi bowlers full of hope. Apparently batting will be easier in the afternoon today and this gave batting under lights another angle as Smith and Voges worried less about scoring quick runs and more about fighting off swing and seam.
It was a tidy bowling display from the BLACKCAPS, Trent Boult and Tim Southee both stepped up to the plate under lights. You always felt like they could produce a wicket-taking delivery at any stage and Boult delivered a beauty to David Warner to get him caught at third slip; Caught Southee, bowled Boult.
Everything about last night suited Doug Bracewell perfectly and he snatch a well-deserved wicket, nipping one back of the seam to catch Joe Burns' inside edge and then the stumps.
Earlier, Australia had bowled the kiwis out by pitching the ball up and persisting at good areas around off-stump. This is ideal, but difficult to do and the benefits of dot balls, maidens and pressure - which I have been harping on about - was evident in Kane Williamson's dismissal. After four maidens, Williamson got a full one on off-stump that crashed into his pads and the kiwi bowlers would be inclined to take this on board as the move into an 'easier' time to bat.
Australia showed how to bowl with the pink ball during the day and it's now up to our bowlers to show an ability to plug away and be patient. Something they have rarely done this series.
I liked the work of Mitchell Santner who was on debut, both with bat and ball. Second highest top-scorer with 31 - behind Tom Latham, shout outs to Tommy - and a short but tidy spell of bowling where he spun the ball, got some surprising bounce and hustled quickly through overs. Santner didn't pick up a wicket, but he did look threatening and I love the variety that he offers.
Plus he got a send-off from Mitchell Starc.
Day one of this Test had many funky bits and pieces ... and a send-off!!! Test cricket, you sexy thing.
Today, a lot depends on whether the pace trio of Southee, Boult and Bracewell can continue their good work. Pitch the ball up, hit the top-of-off and let the ball do the work. Mark Craig's off-spin will be crucial as well.
A success. Day one of the first day/night Test was a success, yet there is still a game of cricket which is in the balance. Day two is the perfect opportunity for a BLACKCAPS bowling attack that has largely been underwhelming so far in this series, to make their mark.
I'll sign off with a hi-5 to the Channel Nine camera/editing crew. They have an abundance of technology to enhance their camera work/get better shots which is great and they are skilled operators which contributed towards an exciting vibe, even if I was watching from my couch.