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Justin Langer's Postcards |
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SUNDAY 12 March 2000
Day two first Test, Eden Park, Auckland
Losing the younger of our two twins just before stumps has left this
Test match lying in the balance with three scheduled days to play.
Junior has looked in such great touch over the past two days that he
could have batted the Kiwis out of this first Test had he made it to
stumps this afternoon. As it is, he was out to the impressive young
Daniel Vettori, who is enjoying the conditions here at Eden Park.
Although the smart money would still be on the good guys, we will have
to play tough cricket from here on to ensure a first Test victory for
this series. The pitch is undoubtedly spinning like a sub-continent
surface, so any run chase will be difficult for the home side, but in a
Test match nothing can ever be taken for granted. Every run that we can
score from here on will be as good as two runs on most other grounds
around the world such is the difficulty level of batting on this pitch.
I can't remember the pitches in Sri Lanka spinning as much as this and
considering we have a hungry Shane Warne and experienced Colin Miller
ready to win this Test we are still in the box seat.
A fruitful partnership between Marto and Gilly can only magnify our
chances of an eighth straight Test victory. The longer they can stay at
the crease, the more frustrated the New Zealanders will become and the
more excited our world-class bowling attack is sure to become. Every run
will be like gold in the morning session; a session that could decide
this match and although our changeroom tonight was a little tense, it is
only because there is so much to play for tomorrow.
From Auckland, JL
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