- Labuschagne’s 130 not out sets up another day of Australian dominance
- New Zealand’s XI features five changes from the Melbourne Test
Here is the report of day one at the SCG.
Related: More misery for New Zealand as Marnus Labuschagne hits another century
New Zealand’s disastrous tour plumbed new depths on the opening day of the Sydney Test. The visitors made five changes to the side that was rolled over in Melbourne, the “outs” including injured stars Kane Williamson and Trent Boult. That meant a callow XI featuring two frontline spinners; so of course stand-in skipper Tom Latham lost the toss and was forced to bowl first on a docile pitch under cloudless skies.
The popgun Kiwi attack celebrated the wicket of Joe Burns (18) before lunch and David Warner (45) shortly afterwards but they then had to admire another massive partnership between Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith. Labuschagne, who remains unbeaten on 130, batted superbly all day for his fourth Test century this summer. He offered a couple of edges through the cordon but they went into gaps that were not plugged. He scored heavily on the on-side but most handsomely through the off, cover-driving gloriously at regular intervals.
90th over: Australia 283-3 (Labuschagne 130, Wade 22) Matt Henry sends down a maiden to wrap things up for the day.
89th over: Australia 283-3 (Labuschagne 130, Wade 22) A distinct absence of fire and brimstone from Wagner in his last spell of the day, and it concludes with Australia’s batsmen exchanging singles.
Crowd, Day 1, SCG: 36,420.
Last year, v India, it was 33,678.
88th over: Australia 280-3 (Labuschagne 129, Wade 20) Henry back into the fray and he settles quickly into a tidy line and length in an over that features two singles.
87th over: Australia 278-3 (Labuschagne 128, Wade 19) Wagner is lacking spite in his final spell of the day and Wade is delighted, rocking back and slapping a short ball through mid-on for four, then hoicking a pull for six, before pulling through midwicket for four more! That will give Australia’s no.5 plenty of satisfaction after their summer-long duel.
86th over: Australia 264-3 (Labuschagne 128, Wade 5) CdG continues, this time around the wicket to Wade. There’s shape in the air from the big man but nothing that threatens a wicket. Wade even pinches the strike from the final delivery.
85th over: Australia 263-3 (Labuschagne 128, Wade 4) Wagner gets a late dash with the new ball, and he has the good fortune of seeing his old mate Matthew Wade on strike. It’s not the best over from the left-arm enforcer though, Wade milking a single before Labuschagne shows his sublime touch by cashing in on a wide half-volley that he sends galloping through the covers.
84th over: Australia 258-3 (Labuschagne 124, Wade 3) Australia regroup quickly after the surprise wicket, Wade glancing three then Labuschagne drilling a gorgeous four through the covers.
Dan’s point, below, is interesting. It would be easy to view Smith’s knock as stodgy and, in the circumstances, lacking an end product. But he still scored 60+ and forced New Zealand to bowl all day. As England fans can testify following the end of Jonathan Trott’s career - be careful what you wish for.
Another slow innings by Smith that will lead to reams of copy about him struggling but will still be critical to Aust establishing a platform to win another Test match #AusvNZ
That sound you can hear is your humble correspondent eating a large dish of humble pie. CdG has just dismissed Steve Smith with a classical out-swinger that kissed the deck, found the edge of the bat, and landed in the safe hands of first slip. I don’t think anybody saw that coming.
83rd over: Australia 251-2 (Labuschagne 120, Smith 63) Searching for swing, Henry dishes up a wide half-volley to Labuschagne who leans into a perfect cover drive that was four from the moment it left the bowler’s hand. Meanwhile, in the stats world, Smith and Labuschagne are playing duelling averages, the newcomer edging closer to the man he replaced as a concussion substitute a few short months ago.
82nd over: Australia 245-2 (Labuschagne 115, Smith 63) CdG reprises his role as close-to the most unthreatening new-ball bowler in test history. Smith respects the gentle 117kph out-swingers, defending the straight ones, leaving the wide ones, playing out the first non-Wagner maiden of the day.
81st over: Australia 245-2 (Labuschagne 115, Smith 63) “It’s starting to get a little ugly for the tourists” says James Brayshaw on TV, roughly seven hours after things started to get ugly for the tourists. New Zealand try to remedy their disfigurement by taking the new ball that’s on offer and handing it to Matt Henry at the Randwick end. He opens with a couple of yorkers around off-stump then his third delivery lands on a good length and finds the outside edge of Labuschagne’s bat, but the centurion’s hands were soft and the ball skips away for four through third-man.
80th over: Australia 241-2 (Labuschagne 110, Smith 63) A couple of singles form Somerville’s over, possibly the last with the current ball.
79th over: Australia 239-2 (Labuschagne 109, Smith 63) Today’s report could be abbreviated to something like: “Australia took command of the match by nudging singles into the on-side”. Very little else seems to have happened. It occurs again this Astle over, and would happen a second time but Labuschagne returns for a second. Smith then bucks the trend with a rare push into the off-side for a run. Exhilarating this is not, but a credit to the patience, hunger and determination of the pair at the crease.
78th over: Australia 236-2 (Labuschagne 107, Smith 62) The very first appeal since I took over the OBO two-and-a-half hours ago comes from Will Somerville, bellowing for an LBW against Marnus Labuschagne. His entreaty is declined on-field but he convinces Tom Latham to REVIEW but, as expected, the ball pitched outside leg-stump, as you might imagine for a right-arm bowler adopting an approach from around the wicket to a right-handed batter.
77th over: Australia 234-2 (Labuschagne 106, Smith 61) Astle gives Wagner a break before the second new ball is due. The sunnies are still on, the flight is still there, but there’s no venom to unsettle either batsman. Australia’s effortless accumulation continues.
76th over: Australia 231-2 (Labuschagne 104, Smith 60) Somerville has offered little threat today and when Australia have set their mind to scoring runs against him they’ve done so with ease. Four arrive this over, the most aesthetically pleasing two coming from the blade of Steve Smith driving through the covers.
75th over: Australia 227-2 (Labuschagne 103, Smith 57) Wagner continues to charge in and hurl rocks towards Steve Smith’s ribcage. Nothing misbehaves this over though and Smith advances his score by one.
Smith has now faced 40 balls from Wagner today, and taken five singles from him. #AusvNZ
74th over: Australia 226-2 (Labuschagne 103, Smith 56) Will Somerville is back for his third spell as we sleepwalk towards the close of play. An uneventful over sees Smith advance his score by three with two shots into the on-side.
73rd over: Australia 223-2 (Labuschagne 103, Smith 53) Wagner really does deserve a better support crew than he’s been given. He squares Smith up, then rips a jaffa past Labuschagne’s outside edge - with a ball 73-overs old. Time for the final drinks break of the day.
72nd over: Australia 222-2 (Labuschagne 103, Smith 52) Altogether now in your finest Richie Benaud voice: “It’s choo for choo choo choo”.
Steve Smith nurdles a single from the opening delivery of Colin de Grandhomme’s over, allowing Marnus Labuschagne on strike on 99. He’s not there for long. CdG leaks onto the right-hander’s pads and a fine glance beats the ring and dribbles away to the fine-leg fence for four. The helmet comes off, the bat’s raised, and Australia’s no.3 celebrates his fourth ton in five Tests. What a run-machine he is turning into.
71st over: Australia 217-2 (Labuschagne 99, Smith 51) Yikes! Wagner has Smith fending around his left armpit after aborting a duck, and the half-centurion is lucky not to guide the ball straight to leg-slip. He survives, and after the fourth ball manages to get off strike. Can Labuschagne get to three figures? No, not this time, and he almost ends on 99 fishing at a wider length delivery angled across him by Wagner, the only man to unsettle this pair all afternoon.
70th over: Australia 216-2 (Labuschagne 99, Smith 50) Colin de Grandhomme replaces Todd Astle and Labuschagne immediately advances to 99 with a push to midwicket. The first four deliveries of CdG’s spell are all under 120kph - and none of them are change-of-pace slower balls. One of those hits that same spot Astle found earlier and keeps alarmingly low. Smith survives and then tips and runs to bring up his half-century, one that began and ended in painstaking fashion, with some fluency in-between.
69th over: Australia 214-2 (Labuschagne 98, Smith 49) Labuschagne looks a little skittish for the first time today as he attempts to engineer his century against Wagner. He’s safe enough with the basics of bat on ball but he’s edgy between the wickets and almost runs himself out taking off for a single that Smith smartly refuses.
As things stand, batsmen with 2 of the 4 highest averages ever are batting*.
*The minimum qualification of 20 innings is too low, in my opinion - but it is what it is. #AUSvNZpic.twitter.com/vsvTN3E3cc
68th over: Australia 213-2 (Labuschagne 97, Smith 49) Astle has done well enough to keep himself in the attack either side of tea, and another well-flighted over goes for just one. Smith is treading water again.
Att cricket fans: I’m trying to find extra ways of donating money to bushfire relief, and have decided to auction this bat signed by 10 Test captains. I’ll send it to the highest bidder via replies to this tweet by the end of the Test. Details attached. Cheers! pic.twitter.com/uPutoaxgPG
67th over: Australia 212-2 (Labuschagne 96, Smith 49) There’s a buzz around the SCG as Wagner is invited to inject a little life into a moribund afternoon. But he starts with a gentle half-volley to Labuschagne that’s clipped gracefully through midwicket for three. That brings Smith on strike, which means more short balls targeted at the ribcage. They are negotiated safely on this occasion, prompting the latest in a long line of glove changes.
66th over: Australia 209-2 (Labuschagne 93, Smith 49) Three runs from Astle’s latest over, one notable for a ball that kept very low just outside off stump. Not much has misbehaved off the pitch today but that was a disconcerting sight.
Time for more Wagner...
65th over: Australia 206-2 (Labuschagne 91, Smith 48) Labuschagne gets away with another rare error. For the second time in an hour or so he drives away from his body and watches the ball fly through the vacant third-fourth slip region. That’s exactly the plan New Zealand has set for Labuschagne with Henry bowling but the fielders in the cordon were not stationed in the right places.
64th over: Australia 199-2 (Labuschagne 84, Smith 48) This is low-octane cricket at the moment with Australia casually accumulating runs. Astle goes for three.
Marnus Labuschagne joining some esteemed company with his golden summer #AUSvNZpic.twitter.com/KkHznXhS97
63rd over: Australia 196-2 (Labuschagne 82, Smith 47) Century partnership for Labuschagne and Smith. Another Henry over comes and goes like a passing cloud.
62nd over: Australia 194-2 (Labuschagne 81, Smith 46) Astle’s over begins with Labuschagne executing one of the shots of the day. He advanced to the pitch of the ball, but in a manner that opened his body a fraction, allowing his fast and strong wrists to come from in to out to glide the ball through the covers. Beautiful cricket shot.
61st over: Australia 188-2 (Labuschagne 76, Smith 45) Just the one from Henry’s over. This partnership patiently resetting after the interval.
I mentioned at tea - a little tongue-in-cheek - that Tim Paine may already be planning for a declaration considering the bad weather and poor air quality that may disrupt the weekend. It will be interesting to see if this pair look to kick on and up the scoring rate once they’re set after tea, before the second new ball arrives. Without trying Australia are ticking along at 3rpo but they may choose to get a wriggle on while conditions are optimal for them to do so and buy them some time later in the Test. Yeah, I’m grasping for talking points.
60th over: Australia 187-2 (Labuschagne 75, Smith 45) Astle continues with his leggies, and it’s a tidy resumption of his spell, going for just one - and that run the product of confusing Smith with his flight.
59th over: Australia 185-2 (Labuschagne 74, Smith 44) Matt Henry opens the bowling after tea, and he does so from around the wicket to Steve Smith. He doesn’t have the menace of Neil Wagner though, and Smith is quickly off strike with a paddle to square-leg. The tactic to Labuschagne could scarcely be more different, New Zealand packing the off-side and making him chase away from his body. Again, the batsman curtails the planning with an easy single. What this over confirmed was that this surface is gently paced and consistent, allowing batsmen to trust the bounce and ride it off the back-foot accordingly.
Todd Astle bowling in wraparound shades appreciation post.
One obvious benefit of New Zealand fielding two spinners is the over-rate. We’re already 58-overs deep into the day, meaning we’re only two behind schedule, meaning we may get close to hitting the scheduled 5.30pm close of play.
Steve Smith 42 off 63 balls since he got off the mark... #AusvNZ
Another session to Australia. they might have lost David Warner just after lunch, and Steve Smith might have taken an age to get off the mark, but the runs are now flowing on a docile pitch against a popgun attack. Tim Paine is probably already sizing up the weather (and air quality) forecast and preparing declaration strategies.
58th over: Australia 182-2 (Labuschagne 73, Smith 42) Nice over from Astle, first landing his wrong ‘un then beating Smith with his flight, drawing a mistimed drive.
57th over: Australia 180-2 (Labuschagne 72, Smith 41) Somerville is now coming around the wicket to the right-handers, asking a slightly different question of first Labuschagne, then Smith. The former looks a tad uneasy until he rotates the strike, allowing Smith to use his feet and clip a couple to midwicket.
James Hannan has joined in the conversation about Neil Wagner. “As to the current furore (if it can be called that) over Wagner’s bouncer barrage, I think most people are forgetting Australia are two up in the series and have posted large totals in each of their first digs. The problem isn’t Wagner, it’s that he’s had no support. The man is pure phenomenon and we need more like him. Did anyone see the push ups he did at the top of his mark in 40 degree heat in Perth, just before he ran in for another over?” You won’t find Adam or I disagreeing with you James.
56th over: Australia 177-2 (Labuschagne 71, Smith 39) Astle is bowling in some crisp 90s-looking wraparound shades that give him the feel of Mark Waugh rolling his arm over in grade cricket. They don’t help him when he drops too short and wide, allowing Smith to calmly guide a four behind point.
55th over: Australia 171-2 (Labuschagne 70, Smith 34) Spin from both ends again with Will Somerville back into the attack. His stump-to-stump offies are worked into the on-side for three singles and a three as Australia continue their serene progress.
54th over: Australia 165-2 (Labuschagne 68, Smith 30) Todd Astle’s leg-spin is called upon once more. Smith is patient with the ones that land on a good length, but he kicks himself for missing out on the long-hop that he slaps straight to the ring fielder. A maiden is there for the taking but Astle can’t join the dots, offering a hint of width from ball six that Smith steers down to third-man.
53rd over: Australia 163-2 (Labuschagne 68, Smith 28) Henry keeps Smith honest in an over that goes for just the one single.
“Not sure I would be overstating the use of umpires with regards to Wagner,” emails Peter Warrington. “As far they are concerned there is no such thing as intimidatory bowling, not even the ball that Cummins cleaned Anderson up with in Perth a couple if summers ago. Or the alleged Beamer of J Archer. Seems umps think people wanna see the quicks go at it?”. That’s up to them, and the ICC to decide. In the meantime Wagner is free to bowl in his current manner, which is creatively solving a problem that has tormented the very best bowlers for years.
52nd over: Australia 162-2 (Labuschagne 68, Smith 27) CdG’s gentle medium pace goes for two this over. It’s a glorified net for these two Australians at the moment, and that net is one of the middle ones, used by bowlers sharpening-up for the second or third XIs.
51st over: Australia 160-2 (Labuschagne 67, Smith 26) Oooh, that mistake New Zealand are desperate for almost arrived. Labuschagne drove loosely outside off, releasing his bottom hand from the bat in the process, but the resulting edge flies harmlessly through the gap where a third or fourth slip might have been stationed. The four runs from that streaky effort sit alongside four singles and a two in the scorebook documenting a dot-less over for Matt Henry.
50th over: Australia 150-2 (Labuschagne 61, Smith 22) CdG’s recall ends the experiment with spin for now, just as Australia were getting on top of both Astle and Somerville. De Grandhomme goes for three easy singles in an innocuous over. The match is now in a very one-sided passage with Australia scoring runs with the minimum of fuss and New Zealand looking unable to do anything about it.
49th over: Australia 147-2 (Labuschagne 60, Smith 20) Just the single to Smith from Henry’s latest over.
48th over: Australia 146-2 (Labuschagne 60, Smith 19) If Australia were becalmed in the hour after lunch they’re going through the gears now. Labuschagne takes Somerville high over midwicket for six, then clips another effortless two to move into the 60s. On this surface, with this attack, it’s going to take an error of judgement from one of these run-hungry batsmen to generate a breakthrough.
47th over: Australia 138-2 (Labuschagne 52, Smith 19) Matt Henry’s back for a burst to disrupt the rhythm of spin from both ends, and he almost jags Smith with a leg-glance that flies just wide of the diving leg-gully.
46th over: Australia 135-2 (Labuschagne 51, Smith 17) Somerville, like Astle, has landed his spinners extremely well, offering New Zealand good control .But this is a first day pitch so there are no demons and the slow turn is easy to see onto the face of the bat for batsmen of this class. One of those batsmen is Marnus Labuschagne, who reaches 50 for the sixth time in seven innings this summer with a push into the off-side that some good running turns into three runs. Smith then gets in on the act by cutting another four after engineering some width by dropping deep in his crease.
Raf from Melbourne has taken the contrarian position on the excellent bowling of Neil Wagner. “When you say Wagner cannot be faulted, is it ok if we fault him for only having such good figures because he’s being allowed to flagrantly break the laws of cricket on number of bouncers an over and on negative leg side bowling? He is doing a tremendous job of maintaining accuracy over long spells of this awful tactic, no doubt, but if he’s allowed to keep doing it we’re going to see every team in world cricket doing this and Tests turn into slow-scoring borefests. There’s a reason that limited over cricket has even harsher restrictions on bowling like this, but Test cricket has rules against it too. I’m impressed by bowlers who beat batsmen by bowling within the laws. I’m not impressed with this whole Wagner love-in when his whole tactic is to just bowl in a way that is so artificially difficult to hit that it would trigger instant wide calls in limited over cricket, until the batsmen get bored and frustrated.”
45th over: Australia 128-2 (Labuschagne 48, Smith 13) Astle continues, but his seventh over contains a rare long-hop that Smith does not miss out on, slashing through cover for four.
44th over: Australia 123-2 (Labuschagne 47, Smith 9) Smith is easing into his work now, regularly finding that single just behind square on the leg-side to keep the partnership ticking along. With spin from both ends Smith is now batting in his baggy green, which will delight the felt fetishists out there. Labuschagne retains his lid, which, as long retired junior scorer, I appreciate, for distinguishing the two right-handed batsmen out in the middle.
Thank you very much Adam.
Remember to retune your emails and tweets to the following addresses: @JPHowcroft and jonathan.howcroft.casual@theguardian.com.
43rd over: Australia 121-2 (Labuschagne 46, Smith 8) Appropriately, it is Todd Astle for the final over of this third hour and my stint on the OBO today. Labuschagne collects a couple early in the over through midwicket before playing the rest with respect. As he should. This man commandsrespect. On that note, I’m handing over to JP Howcroft with drinks on the field. Talk tomorrow!
42nd over: Australia 119-2 (Labuschagne 44, Smith 8) Right, Will Somerville is back for his first go of the middle session and is immediately spinning a long way back at Labuschagne, beating his inside edge. There’s an appeal for leg before but not a convincing one. When Smith gets his chance he gets down the track to time it beautifully through midwicket for his first boundary. He miscues in defence to finish but the task is changing for New Zealand here. They have to stay patient.
Samson yet again: the most number of balls faced without scoring, then converted into a ton, was 37 when Colin Cowdrey went on with it against India in 1964.
40th over: Australia 114-2 (Labuschagne 43, Smith 4) Astle, the absolute boy, goes again. Smith, far more comfortable in his skin now, comes down the track to whip two to start the over. That’s the guy we know. He plays the rest out carefully.
How about Andrew Samson on SEN? “39 balls to get off the mark is the most by an Australian since David Boon against the West Indies in the Port of Spain in 1991.” Firstly, I remember that. But more importantly, how does he find such a thing?
40th over: Australia 112-2 (Labuschagne 43, Smith 2) As Smith struggles, his little mate continues to take singles when he pleases, putting the former captain back on strike straight away. And he get off the mark with one around the corner! It took him 39 balls to do so, would you believe it. The SCG crowd go up as though he’s brought up a century - very good from them. Smith can laugh at it too, putting his hand in the air to acknowledge the reception as Wagner pats him on the back. A replay shows that Labuschagne, who was heading to the danger end, only just made his ground with a dive when the ball past the stumps. Later in the over he takes another to deep backward square and the crowd are up with him again.
39th over: Australia 108-2 (Labuschagne 41, Smith 0) The madness continues, Smith failing to take a single when it is there after deflecting from short leg, then clipping a short ball straight into the fielder in that position. He leaves a big-turning leggie to finish. Excellent work, TODDY ASTLE! 38 dots for Smith!
38th over: Australia 107-2 (Labuschagne 40, Smith 0) Wagner and Smith, what a couple of crazy cats! Smith is refusing to engage with the determined short attack from over the wicket. Not quite in the Wade manner - he’s using his bat. But with that comes risk too, the final ball prompting a chorus oooooh and aaaaahhh from behind the wicket as Smith tries and fails to get his first run behind square. The ball trickles away no more than a few metres from his glove. 33 dots now! Captivating! Wagner has figures of 12-6-15-1. He cannot be faulted.
Someone commission a Wagner and Smith sitcom. #AUSvNZ
37th over: Australia 107-2 (Labuschagne 40, Smith 0) I’m ALL IN on Todd Astle. In the best tradition of leggies, he’s almost all the way through a very tidy over at Labuschagne before giving him a BIG full toss to smash away. Performance art.
36th over: Australia 103-2 (Labuschagne 36, Smith 0) Wagner is clearly loving this, smiling each time Smith can’t get him away. 27 is the only number that matters here: the amount of dots the world’s best player has faced in a row. Remarkable.
35th over: Australia 102-2 (Labuschagne 35, Smith 0) Astle now with his throwback hair/shades/action - I’m well into his narrative. Smith gets five balls to work with here after Labuschagne gives him the strike with the first delivery bu the result is the same: 24 balls, yet to get off the mark! He’s furious when missing a long-hop too, picking out the man at point rather perfectly. This is good stuff.
So far today, both Shane Warne and Mark Waugh have stated that Marnus Labuschagne debuted in Tests in the Sydney Test last year. That Dubai series v Pakistan must not have got much cut through with the members of the comm box. #AUSvNZ
34th over: Australia 101-2 (Labuschagne 34, Smith 0) Wagner is less interested in the short stuff at Labuschagne, which is surprising given it worked in the second dig at Perth. He gets off strike with one to fine leg, giving Smith two balls to deal with from his nemesis. He does so, with soft hands. 19 balls, zero runs for Smith.
33rd over: Australia 100-2 (Labuschagne 33, Smith 0) Labuschagne gives the strike back to Smith from the first ball of the new over, the former captain moving around more in the crease than usual to line up with de Grandhomme outside the off stump. He’s been out there for 15 balls without scoring, make that 16 - an inside edge that spits out to midwicket. And 17, when defending the final offering.
32nd over: Australia 99-2 (Labuschagne 32, Smith 0) Right, now it’s Wagner v Smith. Over the wicket to begin, bumping him right away - ducked. He’s into that awkward zone next up, on Smith’s hip, playing just behind square. That wasn’t a long way from the catcher at short leg. Another duck is required in response to the bouncer that follows; right on the money. At the stumps, Smith defends with soft hands - good batting. “That’s the hard bit for Smith here,” says Simon Katich on SEN. “He gets so few balls to get forward to with so much short stuff that it’s not easy to get into the righ position.” He does to finish, Wagner - now from round the wicket - turned safely along the ground to leg gully. A maiden it is. Probing.
31st over: Australia 99-2 (Labuschagne 32, Smith 0) Labuschagne plays a good de Grandhomme over watchfully, only getting out of his defensive posture in order to flick a couple out to midwicket when the chance presents. He’s in great nick.
30th over: Australia 97-2 (Labuschagne 30, Smith 0) Men still out for Labuschagne with Wagner at him but two conventional slips too. And that’s where he draws him into a false stroke, beating him outside the line of the off-stump. He didn’t need to play at it but the angle was so wide, he felt as though he needed to. With a single into the on side to finish, the Queenslander is into the 30s and keeps the strike.
“Neil Wagner quite clearly takes the cake for being the gutsiest international bowler in the world,” writes Abhijato Sensarma. “He’s got the ranking he does in Test match cricket for a reason. His leg theory lines have proved to be the only tactic which has troubled the otherwise peerless Aussie batsmen so far. The length and frequency of his spells is unparalleled in my opinion. Salute to the most effective workhorse on this tour!” Too right.
29th over: Australia 96-2 (Labuschagne 29, Smith 0) Labuschagne is straight back into accumulation mode, tucking de Grandhomme around the corner. Remarkable to think that Warner has an average of 6.5 against Wagner in the series, to whom he’s fallen four times. That’s the real quiz, which Smith returns to next over.
Wagner has got Warner four times this series for 26 runs off 57 balls #AUSvNZ
28th over: Australia 95-2 (Labuschagne 28, Smith 0) Smith’s turn, who has fallen to Wagner’s short ball every time he’s been dismissed this series and he allows his first delivery out there to strike him on the stomach! “It’s a legitimate tactic,” says Simon Katich on SEN radio, pre-empting the usual whingeing. Well played, Neil Wagner. What a tour he’s had. The key question: can someone back him up?
Warner's gone! Sharp catch from de Grandhomme! #AUSvNZ live: https://t.co/rx14Qs3S0ipic.twitter.com/TrpLXm6UpD
It works! He’s done it again! Wagner has the field spread for an error on the short ball and that’s what Warner has made, pulling straight to de Grandhomme at leg gully. That’s the fourth time he’s picked the opener up in the series. What a (re)start!
The players are back on the field. Warner is on strike, resuming on 45. Wagner gets his second crack, setting the field immediately for the short stuff. PLAY!
A reminder of those donation/auction details.
The boys are auctioning off their signed playing shirts from the Boxing Day Test in support of communities impacted by bushfires. All proceeds will go to @RedCrossAU.
Bid here - https://t.co/7ohhAAYxLspic.twitter.com/VnoKXrVRaE
“G’day Adam.” Hi Murray Henman.“Has anyone (ICC / CA / SCG) issued any standards for whether / when the players should come off for smoke?”
Good question. I heard Kevin Roberts before play making it clear that the players will come off as and when they need to with smoke - that’s been clear all week. I’ll take a look through the public comments if they’ve specified when that’d be.
Australia’s session. It was always destined to be so after they won the chance to bat first at the toss. As I mentioned a couple of overs ago, the Black Caps bowled really well in the second half an hour to build pressure - a period that culiminated in de Grandhomme winning Burns’ outside edge to Taylor. As usual, Wagner was the catalyst of that tightening, Henry bowling nicely too. However, it fell away from the moment Labuschagne walked out to the middle, timing the ball immaculately from the outset. He and Warner have added 56 in 78 balls.
27th over: Australia 95-1 (Warner 45, Labuschagne 28) Spin from both ends before the break, Todd Astle on with his leggies - bowling in the shades! Very 1990s, as is his no-nonsense action after skipping to the crease. Like it. As does Warner, who is sweeping before the over is done, albeit straight to the man at backward square. “How good is it seeing two spinners on at the SCG before lunch on day one?” asks Kerry O on telly. Labuschagne defends two accurate leggies to finish. LUNCH!
26th over: Australia 93-1 (Warner 44, Labuschagne 27) Somerville is cut away off the back foot from Warner for two to begin the over, bringing up the 50 partnership between these two in just 67 balls. He’s on the back foot again from the next ball, time time slapping forward of point for three more. His length improves from there but it is another over going Australia’s way. After the Black Caps did so well in the second half an hour, culminating in the wicket of Joe Burns on the cusp of drinks, the hosts have dominated the rest of the session to date. There will probably be one more over before lunch, two if they rush.
25th over: Australia 87-1 (Warner 39, Labuschagne 26) Labuschagne is on one here, I reckon. The moment Henry strays ever so slightly to a middle and leg line, he’s onto it with a leg glance that skips away for four. There’s an element of risk associated with that stroke against a bowler like Henry who generates movement off the track, but you would never know it from the way it was executed.
24th over: Australia 79-1 (Warner 37, Labuschagne 22) A lot to like about Somerville’s bouncing approach and high action, creating ample dip. He has a short leg but can’t get one quite in that zone to Labuschagne, who started the with a couple carved to deep point and finished sweeping two more to deep square.
23rd over: Australia 75-1 (Warner 37, Labuschagne 18) Henry is back on the field and back into the attack. Labuschagne has to deal with one in the ribs early in the over and he works it away for a couple. Good batting. They finish the over with three easy singles in a row, which is a pretty bad sign for the Black Caps with quarter of an hour left on the clock until lunch on the opening day.
12:07pm Day One and the Mexican Wave is already going at the SCG #AUSvNZ
22nd over: Australia 70-1 (Warner 36, Labuschagne 14) This is a nice moment, Will Somerville into the attack for his first Test on what was his home ground for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield until a couple of years ago. He’s straight on the mark to Labuschagne to begin, then Warner - his old teammate - to finish.
21st over: Australia 69-1 (Warner 36, Labuschagne 13) “Rhythm is gone,” says Isa Guha of Colin de Grandhomme as Warner smashes him through cover once again. The all-rounder recovers well but the shape and bite from earlier has disappeared over the last couple of overs. I suspect it might be still to do with his footing.
20th over: Australia 65-1 (Warner 32, Labuschagne 13) Wagner into his sixth over, Labuschagne showing the respect he deserves. A third maiden from him.
19th over: Australia 65-1 (Warner 32, Labuschagne 13) de Grandhomme is having a bit of an issue with his front foot, overstepping by a long way after looking down at where he should be landing. He’s sliding on arrival, the replay shows, which is never a good thing for a seamer’s confidence. Warner is all over a half-volley to finish, giving it the threatment through extra cover. This hasn’t been the opener’s most convincing morning at the office but he’s into the 30s and still standing.
18th over: Australia 58-1 (Warner 26, Labuschagne 13) WARNER NEARLY OUT HOOKING! Wagner was spot on with his bumper, winning a fat top edge. Will Somerville was the man running in from long-leg in front of the members but he misjudged the approach, pulling out instead of diving. Should have made it to the contest, in footy speak. Urgh. Wagner is doing everything right, as usual.
17th over: Australia 57-1 (Warner 25, Labuschagne 13) de Grandhomme to Warner, who takes one to square leg that nearly causes some bother between the wickets before both batsmen reach their ground. Is it just me or does running between the wickets become far more of a talking point when Labuschagne is out there? Maybe that says more about how many hours he has batted this summer. More an issue when he’s partnering with Smith, to be fair. They’re a lock for a run out soon.
“Matt Henry is very much like the Chris Woakes of New Zealand Cricket,” writes Sachin Paul. “I have never seen him have a bad game or be his side’s worst bowler, yet when they have to cut a bowler, he always seems to incur the wrath of captains and selectors because of other iconic duos (Branderson/Bou-thee) or the new exciting thing (Ferguson/Archer). I’m hoping 2020 will see Woakes and Henry and their brand of quiet excellence shine.”
16th over: Australia 54-1 (Warner 24, Labuschagne 11) Wagner slips onto Warner’s pads to begin, clipped away for three. After a sketchy little period for the opener, that’ll feel nice. Labuschagne looked a million bucks upon walking out but isn’t far away from feeding a catch to midwicket from a delivery that swings more than he anticipated when setting up to drive. Still, he adds three. On SEN radio, Brendon McCullum says he would have played Southee instead of Todd Astle on the basis that they already have they use of Jeet Raval’s more-than-handy legbreaks here.
15th over: Australia 47-1 (Warner 20, Labuschagne 8) After the drinks break - taken at the fall of the wicket - Labuschagne is away with two boundaries in three balls. As you do. The first is a tidy glance, fine of long leg. The second is perfectly clipped, in front of the man at square leg. A fantastic start. It was at the SCG where he was brought back into the team last year to bat at No3, of course.
It was a lovely delivery from de Grandhomme but the way Burns’ leg kicked out upon making contact is going to be the talking point. You watch, they’ll drop him.
Perfect bowling from CdG! #AUSvNZ live: https://t.co/Zg6rUCH8WGpic.twitter.com/NPbTyfVpbz
And they get the scalp they need! de Grandhomme is brought back to replace Henry and picks up Burns with the first ball of his new spell, an edge straight to Taylor at slip. The perfect way for the Black Caps to go to drinks. They earned that.
14th over: Australia 39-0 (Warner 20, Burns 18) Wagner had the wood over Burns but he has Warner three times in this series as well. He’s getting good conventional swing away from the left-hander from over the wicket, enough to find a leading edge first up. Another high-quality maiden follows. They’ve had a good half an hour but they need a wicket very soon to make it truly worthwhile.
Dreadful smoke covering the MCG now too. A state of emergency was formally declared for the east of Victoria overnight by Premier Dan Andrews.
@collinsadam this is the ‘G at the moment. Smoke only getting thicker. pic.twitter.com/1jHJ6p7nep
13th over: Australia 39-0 (Warner 20, Burns 18) A seventh over in this opening spell from Henry and he’s still bending his back, beating Warner to begin from around the wicket, decking away from a perfect line and length. There’s an appeal for caught behind down the legside but no review - the ball deflected off his hip, not the bat. To finish, another inside edge. Henry is right on top of Warner now.
12th over: Australia 38-0 (Warner 19, Burns 18) Wagner to Burns is a match-up the Black Caps will want more of after this over - an excellent maiden. The line and length was predictably disciplined, slipping one back from over the wicket into the inside edge, deflecting back onto the Queenslander’s boot and nearly his stumps.
11th over: Australia 38-0 (Warner 19, Burns 18) Henry into his sixth over and he’s into Warner’s inside edge again too - a handful of those so far today. Burns is looking better now, for the second time so far playing his best shot - the cover drive - lashing a half-volley away. He then hammers another drive, Henry just getting his hand to it. It has drawn blood, the slow-mo showing the ball crunching into his middle finger. He comes off to get it patched up at the end of the over.
10th over: Australia 32-0 (Warner 18, Burns 13) Wagner is on and immediately into the game by finding Burns’ outside edge, through third slip for four. It was well played with soft hands, but still. What a great series he’s had, picking up 14 scalps at 21 including Smith four times. He’s up for leg before later in the over, but there’s not a lot of hope for it with an inside edge. It’s also high. Even so, a fine start.
9th over: Australia 28-0 (Warner 18, Burns 9) Another very good over from Henry to Warner, banging in a probing short ball early on before twice finding his inside edge. The first of those wasn’t far away from going back onto his leg stump.
Superb as always from my man Bharat Sundaresan.
Just an illustration on why Joe Burns struggles when the ball moves around and why the Kiwis need to bowl fuller here. He starts with a half-cocked front foot step and then it’s all hands reaching for the ball #AusvNZ@cricbuzz pic.twitter.com/VrcT0RAI1k
8th over: Australia 26-0 (Warner 17, Burns 9) Shot! A productive over - Warner and Burns turning the strike over easily - is made into an excellent one with the Queenslander leaning into a CdG half-volley, crashing it to the rope at cover.
“Happy New Year Adam.” Thank you, Ian Forth. To you and yours, too. “One test match where it’s definitely not cowardly to pray for rain. Though let’s not rely on prayers in the future, eh?” Indeed. Let’s hope we lose entire sessions - entire days - to downpours. There aren’t any forecast for at least a few days, though, I’m afraid.
7th over: Australia 18-0 (Warner 14, Burns 4) Warner rotates the strike first ball of the new Henry over, timing one to mid-off. He’s more dangerous to Burns, who has been the slower starter - smashing into the right-hander’s pad with an off-cutter - prompting a big shout for lbw. But Latham doesn’t consider a review with the height the main concern. There’s another half-appeal for leg before to finish with Warner back on strike, this going well over the woodwork. Better over.
Andrew Samson on SEN reports that Glenn Phillips becomes the 26th South African to play for another Test nation, the sixth for New Zealand. He adds that there have been 14 to turn out for England and two (Kepler Wessels and Marnus Labuschagne) who have worn the baggy green.
6th over: Australia 16-0 (Warner 13, Burns 3) Burns takes the single on offer from his pads. de Grandhomme is right back on it to Warner, again back towards him with genuine swing, locating the inside edge. That’s encouraging. As is the final ball of the over to Burns, which beats the Queenslander driving at a ball he should have left. There’s half an appeal for caught behind - it was very, very close.
Warner kept for a bit in a game once yeah? So that makes it 7 blokes in this match who have kept at international level?
5th over: Australia 14-0 (Warner 12, Burns 2) Burns is off the mark from his 12th ball of the morning via a compact push to mid-on. Warner’s turn and he’s straight back into it, clipping three through midwicket. Burns is back on strike for the final ball and Henry gets it to move back towards him, finding the inside edge. Better.
“Hi Adam.” Hello, Terry Hogan. “Happy New Year! Welcome to 2020 cricket.” Indeed, what a massive few weeks we have ahead of us. Can’t wait.
“In reference to the four keepers, NZ played four keepers against England at Headingly in 2015 and managed to win by 199 runs. An omen for this week perhaps?” Good pick up! Adam Lyth’s one Test ton. Simpler times, ay?
“Good luck for the new baby. I hope it all goes well for you and your partner.”
4th over: Australia 9-0 (Warner 9, Burns 0) Ooh, a good’un from CdG to Warner, brought forward as the ball did plenty and well beaten. There’s something in this track but New Zealand are going to have to extract it by bowling their most consistent line and length. That’s not the case with a half-volley on the left-hander’s pads though, clipped away with ease for four; the first boundary of the Test Match. He adds to more in the same direction next ball. But to his credit, the all-rounder bounces back with a beauty to finish, hooping past the inside edge from over the wicket, just missing off-stump. “So far de Grandhomme is posing more questions than Matt Henry,” says Simon Katich on the SEN radio call.
3rd over: Australia 3-0 (Warner 3, Burns 0) Warner is making solid contact with his defensive strokes - always a good sign for him. He grabs a third single, working him behind point from the balls of his feet. That’s the shot he played so brilliantly when stroking a century in a session on this day, at this ground three years ago against Pakistan. Burns defends the rest with his own big blade. Big chance here.
2nd over: Australia 2-0 (Warner 2, Burns 0) Colin de Grandhomme is given the new ball from the Padingto End, which makes sense given the shape he gets, even at medium pace. Good start to Warner as well, finding the outside half of his bat, wide of gully for one. Burns is able to leave a couple well outside the off-stump before using his bat, back to leaving by the end - albeit closer to his woorwork.
CdG also took the new ball against Australia in their World Cup game at Lord's last year. Had a couple of dropped catches off him in that spell too, from memory. #AUSvNZ
1st over: Australia 1-0 (Warner 1, Burns 0) Oooh, Warner is beaten first up with a delivery that bounces and jags across the left-hander. Handy. He offers a smile at the Australian opener - that wasn’t far away at all. Warner gets bat on ball by the middle of the over, leaning over an assertive forward defensive. He’s off the mark to finish with well-placed push to cover, taking the single on offer.
The players are on the field. The teams are sorted, the anthems are done. It’s a comparatively clear day in Sydney as Dave Warner enters the arena alongside Joe Burns. They have pink numbers on their shirts with this, of course, the McGrath Foundation Test Match. Matt Henry, back into the team, has the new ball. PLAY!
A minute of applause at the SCG. Held torecognise the outstanding and dedicated work of firefighters doing their best in the most horrible circumstances. Cricket Australia are running an auction of the team’s playing shirts to raise money, too.
Confirmation from the Kiwi camp that Southee was left out, not injured. The decision was made due to his recent workload, the team spokesman tells us.
“Four wicket keepers,” KP Bowman tells me on twitter in relation to Glenn Phillips’ inclusion. “Four! Our slip catching will be amazing now.”
Blundell and Wade both bowling last week was a real treat: just the third time in a Test where two bowlers used began their Test career with the gloves. Being on debut, Phillips can’t add to that, but he should slot in nicely behind the wicket.
I assume you all saw this in Cape Town? Rory Burns, after a lovely little first touch and finish, has rolled his ankle in England’s football warm-up at training. In turn, he’s out of the series. Dreadful timing after he looked fantastic last week in England’s second innings. Their ‘cursed’ tour, as Stokes says here, continues.
Related: England’s Rory Burns out of ‘cursed’ tour after rolling ankle playing football
So, to confirm. In addition to Boult (injured), Santner (ill, but probably dropped regardless), Williamson (ill), Nicholls (ill)... Tim Southee was dropped. Stiff!
Australia: David Warner, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, Travis Head, Tim Paine (c & wk), James Pattinson, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon.
Paine says: “It looks like a good wicket. It’s a good toss to win. We are going in unchanged. We looked at playing a second spinner but out quicks have been outstanding so we’re sticking with a winning combination.”
Latham confirms that Williamson AND Nicholls are both out. FIVE CHANGES!
I neglected to mention off the top... this works a lot better if we talk. If you’re new to the OBO, hit me up with an email or a tweet.
Tim Southee in doubt too? Good grief. We’ll know shortly.
Tim Southee not warming up either. Could be as many as 5 changes to New Zealand's XI. #AUSvsNZ
On that World Test Championship point. India are out of the blocks with maximum points from the seven Tests they have played, on 360 points. Australia are second on 256 points in nine starts, tallying six wins and a draw. Of course, all Tests aren’t created equal in this competition. If you’re not across that, well, I don’t blame you. But in short: if the hosts win this, they move to 306 before a lengthy break, not scheduled to play again until a visit to Bangladesh in June.
I'm really into the fact that Pakistan, with one win in four WTC Tests, are currently in third spot. #AUSvNZpic.twitter.com/J7tL8bSITO
He has been ruled out after his net session this morning . What a mess. Tom Latham will captain the Black Caps with Glenn Phillips to make his debut.
Hi everyone. With the unfolding disaster taking place across the east of New South Wales and Victoria, it does feel a fraction odd that we’re gearing up for a Test Match in Sydney. Of course, there is a chance that the smoke from the bushfires will mean that some of the cricket is lost - that’s been made clear. But if it is rain that takes them off the field, there will be universal celebration. Fingers crossed.
It’s with that unusual sentence, and tragic sentiment, that I welcome you to the third and final Test Match of this series between Australia and New Zealand - the last of the home summer for the hosts. They have won four from four so far, hammering Pakistan two-zip, that the current state of this series as well. From a World Test Championship perspective, a clean sweep here means plenty in terms of giving themselves the best chance of appearing in that Lord’s final next June.
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