What's the story, grumpy Vettori?
Plays of the third day between Australia and New Zealand in Adelaide
Brydon Coverdale at the Adelaide Oval
30-Nov-2008
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A day to forget for Symonds ...
Things have a habit of going wrong when you're struggling, as Matthew Hayden discovered when he was run out on the second day. On the third morning fortune also frowned upon his good mate Andrew Symonds, who is trying to re-establish his Test career after being stood down from the side for two months. Following his bar-room incident in Brisbane, Symonds is under such an intense spotlight that even news of him missing a Queensland training session in October was splashed over the Sunday papers this morning. There were also reports that the man who photographed Symonds in the Normanby Hotel told Cricket Australia Symonds had elbowed him in the jaw, but the complaint came after the allrounder had been cleared of any wrongdoing. The day only got worse for Symonds when the umpire Billy Doctrove gave him out caught behind for a duck despite the ball appearing to miss the bat.
Things have a habit of going wrong when you're struggling, as Matthew Hayden discovered when he was run out on the second day. On the third morning fortune also frowned upon his good mate Andrew Symonds, who is trying to re-establish his Test career after being stood down from the side for two months. Following his bar-room incident in Brisbane, Symonds is under such an intense spotlight that even news of him missing a Queensland training session in October was splashed over the Sunday papers this morning. There were also reports that the man who photographed Symonds in the Normanby Hotel told Cricket Australia Symonds had elbowed him in the jaw, but the complaint came after the allrounder had been cleared of any wrongdoing. The day only got worse for Symonds when the umpire Billy Doctrove gave him out caught behind for a duck despite the ball appearing to miss the bat.
... and for Vettori
When your team looks like spending an entire day in the field, every opportunity must be taken. And when you drop a catch off the captain, expect some expletives to come flying your way. As clean-cut as Daniel Vettori is, even he couldn't help a few frustrated mutterings when Daniel Flynn put down the simplest of catches at mid-on when Brad Haddin was on 72. Vettori had already seen several of his deliveries bounce off pads and trickle in the direction of the stumps, never hitting them. Streaky shots came off and the luck was with Australia. But any chance of Vettori slamming his fielders after play ended when he dropped a straightforward chance off his own bowling off Brett Lee. It was Vettori's 51st over of the innings, so it's understandable that his attention might have been drifting.
When your team looks like spending an entire day in the field, every opportunity must be taken. And when you drop a catch off the captain, expect some expletives to come flying your way. As clean-cut as Daniel Vettori is, even he couldn't help a few frustrated mutterings when Daniel Flynn put down the simplest of catches at mid-on when Brad Haddin was on 72. Vettori had already seen several of his deliveries bounce off pads and trickle in the direction of the stumps, never hitting them. Streaky shots came off and the luck was with Australia. But any chance of Vettori slamming his fielders after play ended when he dropped a straightforward chance off his own bowling off Brett Lee. It was Vettori's 51st over of the innings, so it's understandable that his attention might have been drifting.
The nervous 99
Being run out on 99 is perhaps the most gut-wrenching experience for a batsman and for a fleeting moment it looked like that fate might await Michael Clarke. He pushed Jesse Ryder to midwicket and took off for a single but a mid-pitch stutter left him scrambling to complete the run. Fortunately for Clarke, Peter Fulton's throw was a long way wide of the stumps and Clarke brought up his fourth Test century of the year.
Being run out on 99 is perhaps the most gut-wrenching experience for a batsman and for a fleeting moment it looked like that fate might await Michael Clarke. He pushed Jesse Ryder to midwicket and took off for a single but a mid-pitch stutter left him scrambling to complete the run. Fortunately for Clarke, Peter Fulton's throw was a long way wide of the stumps and Clarke brought up his fourth Test century of the year.
Bouncing Brett
Iain O'Brien copped a few bouncers while batting on the second day and he was keen to return the favour when Australia's lower order was at the crease. A couple of short balls to Lee slid down the leg side but O'Brien was soon on target, collecting Lee on the arm-guard with a delivery that ran away for four leg-byes. Lee was peppered with another couple of bumpers in O'Brien's next over and was struck on the arm and the back. The New Zealander stared down Lee and was clearly enjoying the tete-a-tete, which ended favourably for O'Brien when Lee edged to first slip for 19.
Iain O'Brien copped a few bouncers while batting on the second day and he was keen to return the favour when Australia's lower order was at the crease. A couple of short balls to Lee slid down the leg side but O'Brien was soon on target, collecting Lee on the arm-guard with a delivery that ran away for four leg-byes. Lee was peppered with another couple of bumpers in O'Brien's next over and was struck on the arm and the back. The New Zealander stared down Lee and was clearly enjoying the tete-a-tete, which ended favourably for O'Brien when Lee edged to first slip for 19.
Brydon Coverdale is a staff writer at Cricinfo