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Justin Langer's Postcards |
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FRIDAY 24 March 2000
Day one second test, Basin Reserve, Wellington
Had we have taken our catches the score line at stumps may have read differently than it presently stands. Unfortunately a couple of mishaps in the field allowed Chris Cairns to smash a brilliant Test match century, while Nathan Astle probably scored 40 more runs than he should have. The old adage about catches winning matches is more relevant at this level because your mistakes become very expensive due to the quality of your opposition.
New Zealand's all-rounder Chris Cairns played a fantastic innings. He was brutal against Warney hitting our superstar 'leggie' for a number of massive sixes. As impressive were his drives against the pacemen and a couple of excellent hook shots off Glenn McGrath. For a middle-order batsman and opening bowler to score a Test century like he did today must put him in line with the best all-rounders in the game.
At lunch we looked in total control of this second Test match but as so often happens, the momentum shifted rapidly the other way in the hour after the first break. The Cairns/Astle partnership dominated the second session and as the pitch flattened out so did our early advantage.
Having lost Blewy and nightwatchman 'Warney' before stumps the Kiwis may be just ahead on points at this stage but with the pitch looking like a batsman's dream we will have to put New Zealand's 300 into perspective when we bat tomorrow.
From Wellington, JL
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