The rewards of sweat

Ricky Ponting is trying hard as captain. He became Australia's 42nd Test leader in February, but has had a disrupted start to his stint with family illness and a thumb injury that ruled him out of the important matches in India. He is attempting to make up the time. In a rush again today, Ponting was stumped within a few clean hits of his first century as captain.

The Australians have, over the last few years, believed that Test runs should be scored at four an over. Australia weren't treading water when Ponting arrived, but the going was tough and he quickly set about accelerating to the required rate.

Apart from the first two overs, Justin Langer had been patient and calm in conditions ordered to stifle. Galloping to 23 after 12 deliveries, he adjusted his pace and walked a further 61 from the next 57 overs until tea. Where Langer breathed steadily, Ponting breezed in and blew out.

The offspinner Paul Wiseman was selected especially for the Adelaide pitch, but an average of 43 over 22 Tests made him an excellent target for Ponting, who lifted him over midwicket three times early in his innings. He hit eight more fours in his 79 balls, and his two pulls off Chris Martin were as crisp as the white wine in the corporate tents.

Before the series Ponting said he wanted Australia to put together a huge first-innings total, and he had the opportunity to achieve it himself without further damage. The half-century was brisker and brighter than his effort at Brisbane, but the hurry was again his undoing.

Swiftly closing in on Langer after giving him a 44-over headstart, Ponting aimed to land Daniel Vettori in the Chappell Stand at midwicket. As quick as his feet had been throughout, he was beaten outside off stump and was far enough down not to wait for David Shepherd's decision.

New Zealand's bowlers had waited all day for the batsmen's mistakes, and had been gifted their second. Throughout the day their bowling was a mixture, and all three wickets fell to the spinners. Of the fast bowlers Martin bowled too short during the middle session and too wide towards the end, while James Franklin was consistently too full. It is unlikely that Langer dreams of sending so many half-volleys to the cover fence as he did from Franklin today. Twice he hit Franklin for four fours in an over. While they were expensive in parts, New Zealand contained in patches and the day had a hot and sleepy feel.

Langer's explosions against Franklin topped an innings of sweat. By adding more fight than frills he had stayed longer than Ponting, battled through post-lunch cramps and was rewarded with his 20th Test century. Ponting had clipped along sweetly at almost a run a ball, but missed out again.