'It's tough and it's always going to be', says Oram
Jacob Oram and John Buchanan addressed the media at the end of the fourth day's play of the second Test
Wisden Cricinfo staff
29-Nov-2004
At stumps, Jacob Oram was unbeaten on 40 and had passed 1000 Test runs and, as he told the media, he held some hope that Australia's massive total of 463 could be chased successfully. Meanwhile, John Buchanan, Australia's coach, defended his team's decision to bat past lunch and praised Ricky Ponting as a captain.
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Jacob Oram
On the approach tomorrow
We are up against history and this is a huge chase. All we can do is try to get through to small targets. We might be able to reassess at lunch or tea if a couple of guys get big scores.
We are up against history and this is a huge chase. All we can do is try to get through to small targets. We might be able to reassess at lunch or tea if a couple of guys get big scores.
On his surprise at Australia's declaration
I'm not here to question the world champions' tactics. I was under the imagination that they would come out and pretty much throw the bat. We had a look at the forecast and saw rain predicted. But they seem to be going well with the decisions Ricky makes and, when they had us 5 for 30, everything was rosy.
I'm not here to question the world champions' tactics. I was under the imagination that they would come out and pretty much throw the bat. We had a look at the forecast and saw rain predicted. But they seem to be going well with the decisions Ricky makes and, when they had us 5 for 30, everything was rosy.
On the pitch
The rough is a big factor and when Warne bowls into it the bounce is a bit awkward. It's tough and it's always going to be, it's a matter of survival and scoring is out. You have to try to negate the bounce and smother it. That's worked so far for me.
The rough is a big factor and when Warne bowls into it the bounce is a bit awkward. It's tough and it's always going to be, it's a matter of survival and scoring is out. You have to try to negate the bounce and smother it. That's worked so far for me.
On the confidence of the top order
I don't know whether you can say we're batting poorly or they're bowling extremely well. They are bowling at the top of the innings and seem to be getting things out of the pitch that we can't. They are making us play defensively and not giving us anything to attack. They are getting edges and we're not. It's good fun at the same time.
I don't know whether you can say we're batting poorly or they're bowling extremely well. They are bowling at the top of the innings and seem to be getting things out of the pitch that we can't. They are making us play defensively and not giving us anything to attack. They are getting edges and we're not. It's good fun at the same time.
On his attitude
Coming over here was always going to be tough and I was under no illusions. The results are obviously not expected, or what I hoped for, but the type of cricket is exactly what I expected and that's why I'm enjoying it the most. I spent three weeks in Bangladesh - this leaves it for dead and we're losing. I'm loving being here; it's tough, it's bloody hard. But it's not hard to get up: if it was it would be `hang your boots up`.
Coming over here was always going to be tough and I was under no illusions. The results are obviously not expected, or what I hoped for, but the type of cricket is exactly what I expected and that's why I'm enjoying it the most. I spent three weeks in Bangladesh - this leaves it for dead and we're losing. I'm loving being here; it's tough, it's bloody hard. But it's not hard to get up: if it was it would be `hang your boots up`.
On his bowling
That's the worst part of the series for me. I was disappointed with the way I was bowling in Brisbane, especially backing up a hundred, and it was probably my worst innings for New Zealand. I'm still not 100% at the crease, but happy enough with where it's going. I'm extremely annoyed I haven't got a wicket to my name and won't get another chance. It's bloody annoying.
That's the worst part of the series for me. I was disappointed with the way I was bowling in Brisbane, especially backing up a hundred, and it was probably my worst innings for New Zealand. I'm still not 100% at the crease, but happy enough with where it's going. I'm extremely annoyed I haven't got a wicket to my name and won't get another chance. It's bloody annoying.
On the attacking batting towards the end of the day
It wasn't due to any change of tactics. It's just the way Brendon McCullum bats. He strides out there with no lid on and full of bravado and it's gone well for him. Against a champion leg spinner, bowling into thick rough, it was great to watch. Some of those shots you would think impossible, but he made them look easy. If he gets in tomorrow he could be a huge key for us.
It wasn't due to any change of tactics. It's just the way Brendon McCullum bats. He strides out there with no lid on and full of bravado and it's gone well for him. Against a champion leg spinner, bowling into thick rough, it was great to watch. Some of those shots you would think impossible, but he made them look easy. If he gets in tomorrow he could be a huge key for us.
John Buchanan
On the thoughts behind the declaration
The more we believed we could dig the grave for New Zealand, or they could dig it for themselves, meant we could make a declaration. It's not just about runs, wickets and overs.
The more we believed we could dig the grave for New Zealand, or they could dig it for themselves, meant we could make a declaration. It's not just about runs, wickets and overs.
On deciding when to declare
We had a number of options, including declaring straight away. The rest were at various stages through the morning, subject to the way New Zealand were placed. When we did we believed it was the appropriate opportunity. We had 140 overs for the rest of the match and that gave us the opportunity to bowl 50 overs today.
We had a number of options, including declaring straight away. The rest were at various stages through the morning, subject to the way New Zealand were placed. When we did we believed it was the appropriate opportunity. We had 140 overs for the rest of the match and that gave us the opportunity to bowl 50 overs today.
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On the match situation
Obviously we were hoping to pick up a good percentage of wickets and we did, so at this stage we are very happy.
Obviously we were hoping to pick up a good percentage of wickets and we did, so at this stage we are very happy.
On the rain forecast for tomorrow
It was all factored in this morning. It's very difficult to plan on what the weather is doing tomorrow.
It was all factored in this morning. It's very difficult to plan on what the weather is doing tomorrow.
On the team's bowling
The way our bowlers went about the pre-tea session was exceptional partnership bowling. It was simply outstanding and it would have taken a very good team to come through that period without losing at least a few wickets.
The way our bowlers went about the pre-tea session was exceptional partnership bowling. It was simply outstanding and it would have taken a very good team to come through that period without losing at least a few wickets.
On Ponting developing as captain
The way he's approaching his captaincy role was expected. He has had that capacity and shown it in the one-day side. The more you do it the greater the knowledge, experience and confidence you get in terms of managing and directing. His ability has always been exceptional.
The way he's approaching his captaincy role was expected. He has had that capacity and shown it in the one-day side. The more you do it the greater the knowledge, experience and confidence you get in terms of managing and directing. His ability has always been exceptional.
On Matthew Hayden's top-edge off Daniel Vettori
He's nursing a sore jaw, about four stitches and a little bit of ribbing from his team-mates. I'm sure we'll see him bouncing around on the field tomorrow.
He's nursing a sore jaw, about four stitches and a little bit of ribbing from his team-mates. I'm sure we'll see him bouncing around on the field tomorrow.