Australian crawl, and an overturned decision
Plays of the day from the third day of the New Zealand-Australia Test in Hamilton
Brydon Coverdale in Hamilton
29-Mar-2010
The early reversal of Shane Watson's lbw was the first of many frustrations for Daniel Vettori on the third day • Getty Images
Slow Kat
After scoring New Zealand's fastest Test hundred, Ross Taylor said the Seddon Park boundaries were so small that he'd back himself to mishit the ball and still clear it. There was no such confidence from Simon Katich, who had statisticians reaching for the record books again to find out whether the slowest fifties or centuries were in danger. He lifted his rate enough to avoid all such comparisons but he did make heavy work of his first few hours and didn't strike a boundary until his 138th delivery. The first session, which was half an hour longer than usual due to lost time the previous day, featured 197 dot balls.
After scoring New Zealand's fastest Test hundred, Ross Taylor said the Seddon Park boundaries were so small that he'd back himself to mishit the ball and still clear it. There was no such confidence from Simon Katich, who had statisticians reaching for the record books again to find out whether the slowest fifties or centuries were in danger. He lifted his rate enough to avoid all such comparisons but he did make heavy work of his first few hours and didn't strike a boundary until his 138th delivery. The first session, which was half an hour longer than usual due to lost time the previous day, featured 197 dot balls.
UDRS: Upset Daniel, relieved Shane
The cards haven't fallen New Zealand's way during this series in regards to the umpire decision review system and that continued on the third day in Hamilton. The second ball of the morning brought a confident lbw appeal from Daniel Vettori against Shane Watson, which was granted by the umpire Asad Rauf. Watson initially looked set to accept the decision but after a chat with Katich, he asked for a review, out of hope more than anything. The ball had gone on with the arm from around the wicket but Virtual Eye revealed Watson had been struck fractionally outside the line of off stump while playing a shot. He was on 28 at the time and went on to post 65.
The cards haven't fallen New Zealand's way during this series in regards to the umpire decision review system and that continued on the third day in Hamilton. The second ball of the morning brought a confident lbw appeal from Daniel Vettori against Shane Watson, which was granted by the umpire Asad Rauf. Watson initially looked set to accept the decision but after a chat with Katich, he asked for a review, out of hope more than anything. The ball had gone on with the arm from around the wicket but Virtual Eye revealed Watson had been struck fractionally outside the line of off stump while playing a shot. He was on 28 at the time and went on to post 65.
An unexpected change
Mathew Sinclair entered the match having only ever bowled four overs in his Test career, all of which were delivered in Johannesburg ten years ago. It was a surprise, therefore, when Vettori called on Sinclair shortly before the new ball was due. His casual run-up suggested slow-medium and that was the case, but his line and length were immaculate. He beat the bat of Michael Hussey and thrust his head into his hands, wishing for his first Test wicket. It didn't arrive but Sinclair did end up with the very respectable bowling figures of 3-2-1-0, with a single to deep point from Hussey the only run.
Mathew Sinclair entered the match having only ever bowled four overs in his Test career, all of which were delivered in Johannesburg ten years ago. It was a surprise, therefore, when Vettori called on Sinclair shortly before the new ball was due. His casual run-up suggested slow-medium and that was the case, but his line and length were immaculate. He beat the bat of Michael Hussey and thrust his head into his hands, wishing for his first Test wicket. It didn't arrive but Sinclair did end up with the very respectable bowling figures of 3-2-1-0, with a single to deep point from Hussey the only run.
The axed man cometh
The official New Zealand Cricket profile photo of Peter Ingram shows him sporting a Chopper Read-like handlebar moustache and having been dropped from the Test side he went back to Central Districts and butchered the Northern Districts bowlers today in Napier. Ingram utterly dominated the opening partnership with Jamie How, having scored 85 of the 94 runs on the board when he fell. Meanwhile, in Wellington, Jesse Ryder made a century in his first game back after a long injury lay-off.
The official New Zealand Cricket profile photo of Peter Ingram shows him sporting a Chopper Read-like handlebar moustache and having been dropped from the Test side he went back to Central Districts and butchered the Northern Districts bowlers today in Napier. Ingram utterly dominated the opening partnership with Jamie How, having scored 85 of the 94 runs on the board when he fell. Meanwhile, in Wellington, Jesse Ryder made a century in his first game back after a long injury lay-off.
Brydon Coverdale is a staff writer at Cricinfo