Déjà vu for Ponting and Co
Plays of the day from the first day of the second Test between New Zealand and Australia
Brydon Coverdale in Hamilton
27-Mar-2010
Ricky Ponting is caught short again • Getty Images
Déjà vu 1: Ricky's run-out record
For the second consecutive innings, Ricky Ponting found himself caught short trying for a quick single with Simon Katich. Unlike in Wellington last week when Katich sold his captain down the river, this time it was purely Ponting's fault. It also gave Ponting an unwanted world record: he has now been run out 13 times in Tests, passing the previous best of 12 set by Allan Border and Matthew Hayden. The list is dominated by Australians, with Mark Taylor and David Boon also in the top ten.
For the second consecutive innings, Ricky Ponting found himself caught short trying for a quick single with Simon Katich. Unlike in Wellington last week when Katich sold his captain down the river, this time it was purely Ponting's fault. It also gave Ponting an unwanted world record: he has now been run out 13 times in Tests, passing the previous best of 12 set by Allan Border and Matthew Hayden. The list is dominated by Australians, with Mark Taylor and David Boon also in the top ten.
Déjà vu 2: Clarke uses his head
Early in his innings, Michael Clarke tried to duck a Chris Martin bouncer only for the ball to crash into his helmet and lob to slip for an unsuccessful appeal. Clarke had been struck on the helmet by Martin in Wellington, although it didn't do him much damage on that occasion as he went on from the 19 he had scored to post his best Test innings of 168. This time things didn't work out so well for Clarke. He was on 9 and required a new helmet before being dismissed for 28.
Early in his innings, Michael Clarke tried to duck a Chris Martin bouncer only for the ball to crash into his helmet and lob to slip for an unsuccessful appeal. Clarke had been struck on the helmet by Martin in Wellington, although it didn't do him much damage on that occasion as he went on from the 19 he had scored to post his best Test innings of 168. This time things didn't work out so well for Clarke. He was on 9 and required a new helmet before being dismissed for 28.
Déjà vu 3: It's in the numbers
If those cases weren't enough to show the similarities between the Wellington and Hamilton Tests, consider this: when Phillip Hughes was caught on the first day at the Basin Reserve it left Australia at 25 for 1 and when Shane Watson was caught on the first day at Seddon Park it left Australia at 25 for 1. In Wellington, Marcus North strode to the crease at 176 for 4; here he came in at 172 for 4. In both Tests, Katich has looked good for a century only to fall in the 70s and 80s. Oh, and Ponting won the toss again, taking his tally to eight in a row since the end of the West Indies ODIs.
If those cases weren't enough to show the similarities between the Wellington and Hamilton Tests, consider this: when Phillip Hughes was caught on the first day at the Basin Reserve it left Australia at 25 for 1 and when Shane Watson was caught on the first day at Seddon Park it left Australia at 25 for 1. In Wellington, Marcus North strode to the crease at 176 for 4; here he came in at 172 for 4. In both Tests, Katich has looked good for a century only to fall in the 70s and 80s. Oh, and Ponting won the toss again, taking his tally to eight in a row since the end of the West Indies ODIs.
Doug vs the Beige Brigade
After he started with a wicket in the first over of New Zealand's innings, Doug Bollinger was subjected to some chanting from the local fans. "Dougie's a w***er," was the ongoing call when he headed down to fine leg for the second over. It might have bothered some players but Bollinger is not your everyday garden variety sportsman. Instead, he clapped along with the chant, as if he was leading it, and looked almost disappointed when it ended.
After he started with a wicket in the first over of New Zealand's innings, Doug Bollinger was subjected to some chanting from the local fans. "Dougie's a w***er," was the ongoing call when he headed down to fine leg for the second over. It might have bothered some players but Bollinger is not your everyday garden variety sportsman. Instead, he clapped along with the chant, as if he was leading it, and looked almost disappointed when it ended.
Brydon Coverdale is a staff writer at Cricinfo