RESULT
1st Test, Wellington, March 19 - 23, 2010, Australia tour of New Zealand
(T:106) 459/5d & 106/0
(f/o) 157 & 407

Australia won by 10 wickets

Player Of The Match
168
michael-clarke
Report

Bollinger makes his mark on struggling New Zealand

New Zealand didn't understand the fuss over Doug Bollinger during the one-day series, but they do now after he put Australia on track for a convincing victory

New Zealand 157 (Vettori 46, Bollinger 5-28) & 187 for 5 (McIntosh 83) trail Australia 459 for 5 dec by 115 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
New Zealand didn't understand the fuss over Doug Bollinger during the one-day series, but they do now after he put Australia on track for a convincing victory in Wellington. After struggling through the limited-overs engagements and being attacked by the home batsmen, Bollinger has caused a lot of damage on a fine surface during the opening Test.
A career-best 5 for 28 helped floor New Zealand for 157 in their first innings, which ended 65 minutes into the third day and left them 302 behind, and Bollinger returned to cause more difficulties during the hosts' improved second effort. Despite Tim McIntosh's obdurate resistance with 83 in 276 minutes, the home side finished at 187 for 5, still needing 115 to make the tourists bat again.
Bollinger has played only seven Tests, but he was the attack's main man as he recorded the second five-wicket haul of his career and followed up with 2 for 30 off 13 overs. There were five breakthroughs in the day as he finished off the first innings and gave his side some inspiration when the visitors were becalmed in the second session.
Backing up after a demolition is not always easy for the bowlers, who expect to repeat their exploits despite their fatigue. The fast men didn't regain the same opportunities until Bollinger stepped up, dismissing BJ Watling and Peter Ingram (1) in the half hour before tea.
Watling, who made an unsuccessful challenge, was lbw to Bollinger for the second time in the game and walked off with 33 in 131 minutes, while Ingram flirted at Bollinger to give Brad Haddin an easy catch. Throughout the day he provided extra speed, bounce and a touch of swing to gain his rewards.
In the morning Bollinger, the third bowler used, struck twice in three balls, adding the victims to his two of the previous afternoon. Brendon McCullum left after trying a wild pull - he was well caught by Harris at fine-leg - and Bollinger then delivered a beautiful shorter ball angling away to brush Martin Guptill's edge.
Bollinger's fifth wicket came when Brent Arnel nicked his first delivery to Ricky Ponting at second slip. In celebration he attempted to kiss the team badge on his shirt - but smooched the sponsor's beer logo instead.
New Zealand resumed at a wobbly 108 for 4 and Daniel Vettori started the collapse of 45 for 6 when he edged the debutant Ryan Harris (2 for 42) to Ponting in the day's opening over. They made a better fight of their second innings thanks to the effort of McIntosh, who settled the team during a 70-run opening stand with Watling.
McIntosh, the left-hander, was a great man for the situation and was solid in defence before branching out a little as the afternoon wore on. For most of the time the going was slow, but it was exactly what New Zealand wanted, especially as wickets fell regularly after Watling departed. There were people in the crowd asleep, but they were allowed to dream of a lengthy second innings and possibly some rain over the final two days.
Shortly before his dismissal there were two McIntosh fours in a row off Mitchell Johnson, including a crisp cover drive, in a collection of 10 boundaries and a straight six off Nathan Hauritz. However, his resistance ended when he pushed defensively at Hauritz and inside-edged to Simon Katich at short leg.
New Zealand were 183 for 5 and Vettori found himself in a similar position to when he arrived yesterday. His side was in danger and needed a lot of runs. He had added 18 before stumps, while McCullum was 4 when bad light intervened.
Hauritz, the offspinner, delivered 22 overs in a row after lunch and gained some worrying turn at times. He produced one crucial ball to Ross Taylor that landed in a footmark outside off stump and spun back sharply while keeping low. Taylor, who had earlier hit Hauritz for a six and a four, didn't play a shot and was hit in front of off stump. The Australians challenged successfully after Asad Rauf initially gave it not out and it was another costly lapse on a bad day for New Zealand.

Peter English is the Australasia editor of Cricinfo