Thu, 01 Dec 2011 - Australia vs New Zealand, New Zealand Tour of Australia 2011-12, 1st Test Match

Final Score: Australia*: 427 - 19 / 1 in 2.2 overs RR: 8.14, New Zealand: 295 - 150 in 49.4 overs RR: 3.02

Pattinson stars in Australia's win

Australia made short work of New Zealand on the fourth day as debutant James Pattinson ran through the Kiwi top-order. His five-wicket haul limited New Zealand to 150, the hosts knocked off the nineteen runs required for victory for the loss of Phil Hughes and eased to a nine wicket victory. With this, Australia have taken a 1-0 unbeatable lead in the two match series.

It was a morning that completely belonged to Pattinson, having prised out Brendon McCullum yesterday evening the rookie bowled a triple-wicket maiden first over, all but ending New Zealand’s hopes. The first ball he bowled whizzed past Guptill and on the next one, Guptill could only fend a rising delivery to Usman Khawaja. Kane Williamson missed the third and edged the next delivery of the over straight to Ponting at second slip. Ross Taylor edged the fifth ball to Haddin as Pattinson and Australia celebrated.

In space of five balls, the match slipped out of New Zealand’s hands. By removing night-watchman Doug Bracewell, Pattinson got his fifth wicket to brighten prospects of an early finish.

Jesse Ryder tried to counter-attack but Nathan Lyon had him caught at mid-off. This left Doug Brownlie and Daniel Vettori with too much of an ask and when Michael Hussey sent back the latter just before Lunch, New Zealand were tottering at 121 for seven, still 11 runs needed to avoid the ignominy of innings defeat. Eventually, they were bundled out for 150.

Although, New Zealand were able to get past the Australia’s lead, the result was just a foregone conclusion.

Summary: Day One

On a truncated first day at Gabba, New Zealand partially recovered from a precarious five for 96, courtesy a steadying stand by Dean Brownlie and Daniel Vettori. Bad light and rain forced early close of play when only 51 overs had been bowled, New Zealand ended at 176 with the sixth wicket stand worth eighty.

After electing to bat, New Zealand got going with Brandon McCullum hitting a flurry of boundaries. When the opening stand was worth 44, Martin Guptill fell and McCullum also departed shortly. Kane Williamson didn’t last long and Kiwi skipper, Ross Taylor was lucky to survive few close calls but eventually ran out of luck, inside edging debutant Pattinson just before Lunch.

Another loose shot accounted or Jesse Ryder as New Zealand had half their side back in the pavilion with the score still in two digits. However, the stand between Vettori and Brownlie prevented a collapse and gave New Zealand something to build on.

Day Two

Vettori and Brownlie continued the good work on the second day extending their partnership to 158 before another slide saw New Zealand being dismissed for 295. Helped by sloppy Australian fielding, New Zealand were allowed to post a score that was kind of par. However, Daniel Vettori after all the hard work missed a ton by four runs and he had only himself to blame. On 96, he called for a non-existent single and was run-out by some distance.

Australia with three debutants in the side had done reasonably well with the two fast bowlers, James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc doing well in their first outing. But, it was not such a pleasant experience for the other first-timer in the team, David Warner lasted only three balls. His opening partner, Phil Hughes fell to Chris Martin as New Zealand fought back with two quick wickets.

Usman Khawaja and Ricky Ponting then joined forces to steady Australia. While the former was run-out after making 38 runs, Ricky Ponting remained unbeaten till the close of play on 67. Giving him company was Michael Clarke on 28 with the team score at 154 for three.

Day Three

After two days at Gabba when both the teams had their moments, the third day completely belonged to the hosts. Powered by a century from Michael Clarke and valuable 80 from Brad Haddin, Australia made New Zealand pay for all the fielding lapses that happened at crucial junctures.

It was Clarke’s third century even since taking the reins of team as full-time captain. His 139 went a long way in securing a sizeable lead of 132. Helping his skipper in the cause was Brad Haddin, who signaled his return to form with an enterprising knock. New Zealand struggled to polish off the Australian tail cheaply, Starc’s 32 pushed Australia to 427.

In their second innings, New Zealand lost McCullum in the seven overs before the end of day’s proceedings. The visitors still needed 122 to make Australia bat again.