2nd Orange Test: Australia v New Zealand at Hobart, 22-26 Nov 2001

Ball-by-Ball Commentary


Match State: Day 1 start scheduled for 11.00 AEDT (00.00 GMT)

       welcome to CricInfo's coverage of the 2nd Orange Test between
        Australia and New Zealand at Bellerive Oval in Hobart
       it's overcast, but we're set for a start on time, light NE wids
        blowing with an expected maximum temperature of 17 degrees today
       New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has won the toss and elected to
        bowl first, saying he reckons if the pitch is going to do
        anything, it will be on the first morning as there's a little bit
        of grass on top
       no changes to the Australian side that played in the dramatic draw
        at Brisbane, with Andy Bichel again on drinks waitering duties,
        while New Zealand have two changes - both brought about by
        injuries - with Daryl Tuffey and debutant Cantabrian Shane Bond
       in for Shayne O'Connor and Dion Nash, while Lou Vincent again gets
        to wheel the cart out to the middle during breaks with Mr Bichel
       the players and umpires Steve Bucknor and Steve Davis make their
        way to the middle
       it'll be Chris Cairns to bowl from the River End, with Justin
        Langer to take first strike, Matthew Hayden at the non-striker's
        end
   0.1 Cairns to Langer, no run, shortish straight ball, Langer tucks it
        down off the hip in close on the leg side, very much ambling in
        for a warmup delivery that one
   0.2 Cairns to Langer, no run, shortish straight ball, similar again,
        tucked more assuredly down to the man under the helmet at short
        leg
   0.3 Cairns to Langer, no run, fuller ball, angling away outside off
        stump, left well alone through to the keeper
   0.4 Cairns to Langer, no run, quicker ball but strays down the leg
        side, gets plenty of bounce off the track, Langer stays inside it,
        letting it pass through safely to Parore
   0.5 Cairns to Langer, one run, good straight ball, Langer squared
        around a little, does well to tap it down in close on the off
        side, excellent running to steal a single as both batsmen were on
        the back foot, a bit slow in the field from the Black Caps on a
        cool early morning
   0.6 Cairns to Hayden, no run, shortish lifting straight ball, Hayden
        stands tall to defend it away into the covers

End of over 1 (1 run) Australia 1/0
CL Cairns 1-0-1-0 - River End
JL Langer 1* (5b) ML Hayden 0* (1b)

       it'll be Daryl Tuffey to open the bowling from the Church Street
        End
   1.1 Tuffey to Langer, two runs, short rising ball outside off stump,
        plenty of width offered first up to Langer, powerfully cut in the
        air, but through the hands of Bell at point, a chance but away it
        goes for a couple
       went very quickly, Bell leaped up to his right, through the cupped
        hands, probably should've been taken, Langer with a life early in
        both Tests
   1.2 Tuffey to Langer, no run, fuller, straight ball, defends in close
        on the leg side from the pad
   1.3 Tuffey to Langer, no run, angling away down the leg side, swinging
        a little further away through to the keeper, left well alone
   1.4 Tuffey to Langer, FOUR, overpitched outside off stump and too much
        width offered too, Langer says thank you very much and drives well
        through the gap in the covers, first boundary of the match
   1.5 Tuffey to Langer, no run, much better line and length, a bit
        shorter just outside off stump and Langer happily elects to lift
        the arms well clear to leave to Parore
   1.6 Tuffey to Langer, no run, fuller, straight ball angling on middle
        and leg, clipped just past the man at short leg, but goes no
        further than square leg

End of over 2 (6 runs) Australia 7/0
DR Tuffey 1-0-6-0 - Church Street End
ML Hayden 0* (1b) JL Langer 7* (11b 1x4)

   2.1 Cairns to Hayden, no run, good straight ball, seaming slightly away
        from the left-handed Hayden, defends soldily down into the off
        side
   2.2 Cairns to Hayden, one run, a bit too leg sidish and Hayden picks it
        off comfortably, pushing it through the line, away towards
        midwicket, easy single as mid on is across to field
   2.3 Cairns to Langer, no run, shortish straight ball seaming back in to
        Langer, tucked well up and drops down from the body in close on
        the off side of the pitch
   2.4 Cairns to Langer, no run, excellent line, angling on off stump and
        straightening through to Parore, Langer clearly knows where his
        off stump us, elects to leave as it shaves close past through to
        the keeper
   2.5 Cairns to Langer, no run, this time an away swinger, Langer reads
        it safely again, this one holding its line across the left-hander
        before moving further away to Parore
   2.6 Cairns to Langer, one run, a bit too straight, worked away off the
        hip down towards fine leg with ease

End of over 3 (2 runs) Australia 9/0
CL Cairns 2-0-3-0 - River End
JL Langer 8* (15b 1x4) ML Hayden 1* (3b)

       certainly some early assistance for the bowlers, as you'd expect,
        both getting some seam movement and swing
   3.1 Tuffey to Langer, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump, leaving
        a relatively innocuous ball alone, moving further away once it
        passes the batsman
   3.2 Tuffey to Langer, two runs, a bit too full outside off stump,
        Langer gets well forward on the drive, pushing it straight down
        the ground on the off side, beating mid off for an easy two
   3.3 Tuffey to Langer, (noball) no run, oversteps, wonder whether Langer
        heard the call early or not, as he plays a somewhat rash attempted
        drive to a fair ball swinging away, never in the slot to play that
        way
   3.3 Tuffey to Langer, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
        Langer plays a crisp cut shot, right off the middle, but finds
        Bell at point ... on the bounce, this time
   3.4 Tuffey to Langer, no run, Tuffey sneaks one through Langer this
        time, rather full and swinging back in to him, Tuffey appeals but
        isn't supported, umpire Bucknor agrees with the quiet New Zealand
        slip cordon, that was swinging back too far down leg
   3.5 Tuffey to Langer, no run, props forward to a fair length ball on
        off stump, defends down towards cover
   3.6 Tuffey to Langer, one run, shortish straight ball coming back into
        Langer, tucked off the hip through backward square leg, Cairns up
        from long leg to field

End of over 4 (4 runs) Australia 13/0
DR Tuffey 2-0-10-0 (1nb) - Church Street End
JL Langer 11* (22b 1x4) ML Hayden 1* (3b)

   4.1 Cairns to Langer, FOUR, drops it in a bit short and Langer is quick
        to get on to the pull, strongly played over midwicket, well played
        and Cairns gives him a bit of a look and a word, but Langer has
        the last laugh on that delivery
   4.2 Cairns to Langer, FOUR, and some more to rub it in, overpitched
        outside off stump, powerfully driven through the covers,
        consecutive boundaries, and Cairns is put in his place, not a good
        length so far this over
   4.3 Cairns to Langer, no run, much better, gets a fair length ball to
        straighten on Langer on a line of middle and off, props watchfully
        half forward, dropping it away in close on the leg side
   4.4 Cairns to Langer, no run, lovely ball, Cairns gets one to shape
        away from Langer on a lovely length, Langer is hesitantly forward,
        the bat clips the top of the pad and there's a brief shout from
        bowler and keeper
   4.5 Cairns to Langer, FOUR, Langer has a reasonble response though,
        Cairns ruins a bit of good work by dropping it in short again, not
        bouncing as high as he'd like, Langer on to the hook and does it
        well, easily beats Tuffey at long leg
   4.6 Cairns to Langer, no run, shortish straight ball, tapped away
        towards point in defence, 12 from the over, Cairns is left to
        think a little after Langer won 3/4 in that over

End of over 5 (12 runs) Australia 25/0
CL Cairns 3-0-15-0 - River End
ML Hayden 1* (3b) JL Langer 23* (28b 4x4)

   5.1 Tuffey to Hayden, legbye: one run, full and straight on leg stump,
        tries to clip it away but will settle for the deflection off the
        pad just backward of square leg instead
   5.2 Tuffey to Langer, (noball) no run, oversteps, fullish ball outside
        off stump, Langer leans well forward to leave through to the
        keeper
       Tuffey's foot is just slipping over the crease line as he delivers,
        despite planting it on or just behind it, hence the no-ball calls,
        good picks from umpire Bucknor
   5.2 Tuffey to Langer, no run, shortish wide ball outside off stump,
        Langer cuts but misses, playing over the top of it, rather didn't
        quite get into position for that, swings back late and Parore
        awkwardly takes low down
   5.3 Tuffey to Langer, no run, lovely line and length, using the angle
        away from the left-hander well, swings away a little further too,
        drives and misses
   5.4 Tuffey to Langer, FOUR, has him falsely driving again, this one is
        much fuller with a fair amount of width, gets a thick outside edge
        low to the ground that runs away between the slips and gully, no
        third man in place, Tuffey frustrated that he's punished for
        bowling a good b
       ball
   5.5 Tuffey to Langer, no run, more wisely elects to leave a fair length
        ball outside off stump, just slightly angling away through to the
        keeper
   5.6 Tuffey to Langer, no run, good tight ball on off stump, Langer
        leans forward, tapping it down in close on the off side of the
        pitch, looking for a quick single but has to stop and shuffle back
        as Tuffey approaches down the wicket smartly, almost slips over
        before safely

End of over 6 (6 runs) Australia 31/0
DR Tuffey 3-0-15-0 (2nb) - Church Street End
ML Hayden 1* (4b) JL Langer 27* (34b 5x4)

       regaining his ground without any great hassle in the end
   6.1 Cairns to Hayden, no run, Hayden at last gets to see a bit more of
        the strike, just his fifth delivery in 6.1 overs, propping forward
        to safely defend a straight ball on off stump with bat/pad close
        together
   6.2 Cairns to Hayden, no run, straight ball, defended from the crease,
        pushed down into the covers
   6.3 Cairns to Hayden, no run, fair length ball just outside off stump,
        left well alone, straight through to the keeper
   6.4 Cairns to Hayden, no run, shortish straight ball, stands tall on
        the crease, opening the face to defend away towards cover point
   6.5 Cairns to Hayden, no run, good tight straight ball on off stump,
        forces a defensive push towards mid off from Hayden
   6.6 Cairns to Hayden, no run, similar again, a little straighter,
        Hayden shuffles across his crease to watchfully defend up towards
        mid on

End of over 7 (maiden) Australia 31/0
CL Cairns 4-1-15-0 - River End
JL Langer 27* (34b 5x4) ML Hayden 1* (10b)

       the first maiden of the innings, Cairns at last starting to find
        more consistent line and length
   7.1 Tuffey to Langer, FOUR, deja vu from the last over Tuffey bowled,
        drawing an outside edge from a false drive from Langer, and down
        to the vacant third man boundary for four more
       Bell will be feeling rather sickly right now, as if his tour
        batting woes weren't troubling him enough, the dropped chance off
        the 7th ball of the match is already proving costly
   7.2 Tuffey to Langer, no run, full and straight, quietly defends with a
        straight bat up towards mid on
   7.3 Tuffey to Langer, no run, tight ball on off stump, watchfully
        defends down in close on the off side
   7.4 Tuffey to Langer, FOUR, overpitched outside off stump, Langer
        punishes it in emphatic style, beautifully driving through the
        covers, no movement to trouble him there
       Langer going at almost run-a-ball pace, remarkable, 35 to Hayden's
        solitary single - one could be mistaken for thinking it's the
        wrong way around!
   7.5 Tuffey to Langer, FOUR, and again! another bad ball and again taken
        to the cleaners with ease through the covers
       one can already hear Stephen Fleming searching for debutant Shane
        Bond on the field to tell him to warm up, disastrous start for New
        Zealand
   7.6 Tuffey to Langer, one run, tries to add insult to injury by pulling
        a straighter, shorter ball to the fence also, but is a bit over-
        eager and mistimes the shot, dragging it down towards long leg,
        Cairns around the boundary, they don't try on a second run on his
        throw

End of over 8 (13 runs) Australia 44/0
DR Tuffey 4-0-28-0 (2nb) - Church Street End
JL Langer 40* (40b 8x4) ML Hayden 1* (10b)

   8.1 Cairns to Langer, FOUR, overpitched outside off stump, Langer leans
        into it, playing an elegant drive along the ground through cover,
        point gives chase but he doesn't get far before it's into the rope
       Langer in a dangerous mood early, there is absolutely no margin for
        error from the New Zealand bowlers or they are going to be
        absolutely hammered
   8.2 Cairns to Langer, no run, much better ball, straight and just a
        smidge outside off stump, Langer leaves well alone as it
        straightens further, good leave
   8.3 Cairns to Langer, no run, similar again, shuffling across to off
        stump to a very similar ball, swings back a fair way late, brushes
        the hip as it goes through to the keeper
   8.4 Cairns to Langer, one run, shortish ball, a bit too straight,
        worked off the hip down to Tuffey at long leg
   8.5 Cairns to Hayden, no run, good length ball angling away just
        outside off stump, swinging further away, but Hayden leaves it
        well alone
   8.6 Cairns to Hayden, no run, fullish ball outside, slower ball, left
        well alone through to the keeper

End of over 9 (5 runs) Australia 49/0
CL Cairns 5-1-20-0 - River End
JL Langer 45* (44b 9x4) ML Hayden 1* (12b)

       and Shane Bond is into the attack, replacing Tuffey at the Church
        Street End
   9.1 Bond to Langer, no run, and not a bad start! short lifting straight
        ball on off stump, Langer shies away and cops it on the upper arm,
        drops down safely in close on the off side
   9.2 Bond to Langer, FOUR, Langer eyes this one up though, too short and
        picks it off, powerfully pulling through midwicket, good clean
        blow and Bond gets a rough introduction to Test cricket
   9.3 Bond to Langer, no run, slower, shortish lifting ball, moving away
        a little outside off stump, Langer drops the hands to leave it
        well alone
       a bit of a delay as Bond tries to sort out his front foot landing
        spot, probably suffering the same slipping problems as Tuffey from
        early
   9.4 Bond to Langer, (noball) no run, and still suffering the problems,
        no-ball called, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly pushed up
        towards mid off
   9.4 Bond to Langer, one run, shortish straight ball, worked off the
        body towards backward square leg, and there's Langer's 50, in just
        49 balls, 40 of those runs coming in boundaries!
   9.5 Bond to Hayden, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
        deviates a mile away from the batsman late as Hayden leaves it
        well alone through to the keeper
   9.6 Bond to Hayden, no run, good tight ball on off stump, props forward
        in defence as it swings away a fraction, played back down the
        pitch

End of over 10 (6 runs) Australia 55/0
SE Bond 1-0-6-0 (1nb) - Church Street End
JL Langer 50* (49b 10x4) ML Hayden 1* (14b)

       006 runs off Bond's opening over, showed a little promise, but
        struggled with the front foot landing at the popping crease
  10.1 Cairns to Langer, no run, very full and straight, Langer drives it
        firmly from the toes, straight up towards mid off
  10.2 Cairns to Langer, FOUR, poor ball, taken to pieces as it rightfully
        should've been, Langer creams it through the covers, far too full
        with ample width outside off stump
  10.3 Cairns to Langer, no run, varies the pace just slightly, shorter
        ball angling well away outside off stump, Langer plays a bit of a
        wafty wave at it, shaping to cut before reconsidering late, safely
        left
  10.4 Cairns to Langer, no run, the straight one, on a fair length, going
        straight through to Parore as Langer shoulders arms to it
  10.5 Cairns to Langer, one run, tight ball on off stump, Langer does
        well to lean on it, pushing it in close on the off side with a
        dead bat, enabling a smart single to be taken to the flat-footed
        field
  10.6 Cairns to Hayden, no run, good straight ball on off stump, Hayden
        is a little squared around as he defends up towards mid off

End of over 11 (5 runs) Australia 60/0
CL Cairns 6-1-25-0 - River End
JL Langer 55* (54b 11x4) ML Hayden 1* (15b)

       60 runs in the first 45 minutes of the Test match, not your typical
        start on an overcast morning on a pitch with a tinge of green in
        it
       Langer scoring 55 times as many runs at a mere 15.27 times quicker
        than Hayden at present, a good even opening stand
  11.1 Bond to Langer, (noball) no run, oversteps again, all four no-balls
        coming at the Church Street End, shortish ball left well alone
        outside off stump
  11.1 Bond to Langer, no run, quicker, shortish pitched ball on a line
        just outside off stump and moving away, Langer hangs the bat well
        back out of the way, leaving through to Parore as it deviates
        sharply off the seam
  11.2 Bond to Langer, no run, straighter ball, hits the 140kph mark,
        Langer again stands tall to leave well alone through to the keeper
  11.3 Bond to Langer, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, shoulders
        arms through to the keeper
  11.4 Bond to Langer, two runs, a little too short, but a fair way
        outside off stump, Langer really goes for it, dragging an
        attempted pull down just wide of mid on, Bond smiles with a hint
        of surprise
  11.5 Bond to Langer, one run, another attemped pull, that one's a little
        too close to the body though, mistimes it but safely drags it away
        to vacant midwicket
  11.6 Bond to Hayden, one run, shortish ball on off stump, tapped away
        just forward of point, an ironic cheer from the crowd as Hayden
        finally advances his score to 2 ... now only being outscored by
        Langer by a factor of 29:1

End of over 12 (5 runs) Australia 65/0
SE Bond 2-0-11-0 (2nb) - Church Street End
ML Hayden 2* (16b) JL Langer 58* (60b 11x4)

  12.1 Cairns to Hayden, no run, props a long way forward down the track,
        defending with bat tucked behind pad, straightens well, but not
        quite well enough as it takes Hayden on the kneeroll, appeal is
        turned down by umpire Davis, just missing off stump
  12.2 Cairns to Hayden, no run, shortish straight ball, defends square on
        the leg side
  12.3 Cairns to Hayden, no run, straighter still, on middle and leg,
        Hayden is a bit late in looking to work it away, taken on the pad
        and rebounds in close on the leg side
  12.4 Cairns to Hayden, no run, drops it in rather short, Hayden not
        quite prepared for it, should've dispatched it but misplays it,
        dragging it down to Richardson who almost slips and lets it past
        him at square leg
  12.5 Cairns to Hayden, no run, good tight ball on off stump, Hayden
        defends from the crease, dead batting it away into the covers
  12.6 Cairns to Hayden, no run, fair ball on off stump, Hayden leans well
        forward, steering it away into the gully along the ground, the
        second maiden of the morning, both to Cairns

End of over 13 (maiden) Australia 65/0
CL Cairns 7-2-25-0 - River End
JL Langer 58* (60b 11x4) ML Hayden 2* (22b)

  13.1 Bond to Langer, one run, straight, just a bit too straight,
        awkwardly clipped off the legs just behind square leg, Richardson
        across to field as they take an easy single
  13.2 Bond to Hayden, no run, props half forward in defence to a straight
        ball on off stump, drops it down in close on the leg side
  13.3 Bond to Hayden, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump, seams
        away late, left well alone through to the keeper
  13.4 Bond to Hayden, no run, quick and full on the pads, taken low down
        on leg stump, rebounds away towards midwicket
  13.5 Bond to Hayden, no run, good straight ball swinging away, Hayden
        steers it down towards gully in defence
  13.6 Bond to Hayden, no run, quite quick but straying on leg stump,
        Hayden can't pick it off, rebounds from the pad to square leg

End of over 14 (1 run) Australia 66/0
SE Bond 3-0-12-0 (2nb) - Church Street End
JL Langer 59* (61b 11x4) ML Hayden 2* (27b)

Match State: Drinks

       Daniel Vettori into the bowling attack early, replacing Cairns at
        the River End
  14.1 Vettori to Langer, one run, drops it in a bit short first ball,
        swivels on the crease, pulling down to long leg
  14.2 Vettori to Hayden, one run, similar again, a bit flatter, Hayden
        works it off the legs from a line of off stump, down to long leg
  14.3 Vettori to Langer, no run, flighted up nicely just outside off
        stump, Langer is watchfully well forward, defending with bat/pad
        tucked well together, played down in close on the off side
  14.4 Vettori to Langer, no run, nicely flighted outside off stump again,
        Langer tries to cut but it's a bit full, plays over the top of it,
        missing through to Parore
  14.5 Vettori to Langer, no run, props well forward in defence, turns
        into the front pad, rebounding away to gully
  14.6 Vettori to Langer, no run, flighted well just outside off stump,
        shuffles back, pushing it firmly into the covers in defence

End of over 15 (2 runs) Australia 68/0
DL Vettori 1-0-2-0 - River End
ML Hayden 3* (28b) JL Langer 60* (66b 11x4)

  15.1 Bond to Hayden, no run, shoulders arms to a shortish ball outside
        off stump, just angling further away as it's left alone
  15.2 Bond to Hayden, FOUR, overpitched outside off stump, Hayden at last
        gets a boundary, more than doubling his score (to 007, no less),
        driving straight down the ground between bowler and mid off
  15.3 Bond to Hayden, no run, quicker, fuller and straighter, swinging
        into the pads on leg stump, worked away to square leg as he's
        hurried up just a touch
  15.4 Bond to Hayden, two runs, overpitched on the legs, sweetly picked
        off through backward square leg, superbly timed, but can't quite
        get it past a good sliding stop by Tuffey running around from long
        leg, just saved inside the rope
  15.5 Bond to Hayden, no run, fullish ball angling away just outside off
        stump, leaves well alone through to the keeper
  15.6 Bond to Hayden, one run, full and straight, strongly driven
        straight back down the pitch, Bond just manages to get a hoof on
        it, deflecting it away towards the covers, perhaps turning a
        boundary into just a single as a result

End of over 16 (7 runs) Australia 75/0
SE Bond 4-0-19-0 (2nb) - Church Street End
ML Hayden 10* (34b 1x4) JL Langer 60* (66b 11x4)

  16.1 Vettori to Hayden, no run, Hayden tries the Brisbane trick,
        advancing down the wicket to Vettori early, but is met with a
        reasonable delivery, can only drive along the ground to cover
  16.2 Vettori to Hayden, no run, lovely flight, turns a long way in from
        outside off stump considering how early in the match it is, into
        the front pad
  16.3 Vettori to Hayden, no run, looks to advance again, but again
        Vettori is equal to Hayden, cramped up and can only driven into
        the pitch back to the bowler, promptly flung back at the stumps as
        Hayden has to quickly reclaim his ground
  16.4 Vettori to Hayden, no run, flighted up fuller and wider outside off
        stump, Hayden tries to sweep but it's not there for it, playing
        over the top, taken low down by Parore
  16.5 Vettori to Hayden, no run, flighted low full toss, Hayden again
        keen to come down the track, almost scoops it straight up to
        cover, just fielded on the half volley
  16.6 Vettori to Hayden, no run, forward, watchfully defends another
        accurate ball just outside off stump

End of over 17 (maiden) Australia 75/0
DL Vettori 2-1-2-0 - River End
JL Langer 60* (66b 11x4) ML Hayden 10* (40b 1x4)

       Vettori certainly won the mini-battle within a battle that over,
        Hayden unable to rattle him with a big shot, clearly someone's
        done his homework at last!
  17.1 Bond to Langer, two runs, too straight on leg stump, easily picked
        off along the ground through backward square leg, a leisurely two
        taken as Tuffey is around to field from long leg
  17.2 Bond to Langer, no run, fair length ball outside off stump, Langer
        plays a dangerous drive rather creasebound, swish and a miss, not
        a calculated stroke
  17.3 Bond to Langer, no run, tight shortish straight ball, defends from
        the crease, dropping it down in close on the leg side of the pitch
  17.4 Bond to Langer, no run, wild ball outside off stump, very wide and
        going a long way wider, very close to being called one, Langer
        leaves well alone as Parore shuffles across to take it in front of
        the slips, just slipped out of the hand, that one
  17.5 Bond to Langer, no run, full outside off stump, Langer on the drive
        again, plays it squarer than he'd like, thanks to a thick outside
        edge, good diving stop by Bell to his right at point
  17.6 Bond to Langer, no run, very good tight ball on off stump, Langer
        defends away into the gully, starting to be kept a bit quiet for
        his liking

End of over 18 (2 runs) Australia 77/0
SE Bond 5-0-21-0 (2nb) - Church Street End
ML Hayden 10* (40b 1x4) JL Langer 62* (72b 11x4)

       particularly with the rare feat of a century before lunch on the
        opening day of a Test on offer
  18.1 Vettori to Hayden, SIX, shot! Hayden continues to take on Vettori,
        and this time he wins! a man posted down at long on, but he goes
        there anyway, using the feet and gets well underneath a flighted
        ball, strongly lofted over the man's head on that boundary
  18.2 Vettori to Hayden, one run, flighted up full and straight, swept
        out to deep midwicket, now the field is more spread on the leg
        side
  18.3 Vettori to Langer, no run, flat ball turning in, defends from the
        crease, pushing it away into the covers
  18.4 Vettori to Langer, FOUR, flighted very invitingly outside off
        stump, Langer joins in the party, using the feet wonderfully,
        driving beautifully through the covers, just wide of the
        protective fielder there, and away she goes for four more
       13 off 4 balls in the over, and Vettori's confidence must now be
        wavering a little
  18.5 Vettori to Langer, bye: two runs, flatter ball, turning a fair way
        down the leg side, deflects off Parore's gloves backward of square
        leg, time for a couple of byes
  18.6 Vettori to Langer, FOUR, now Langer does a Hayden, down the track
        and picks one up down the ground, but even safer, as there's no
        long on in place, doesn't quite have the same gusto behind it, but
        gets it to the boundary nonetheless

End of over 19 (17 runs) Australia 94/0
DL Vettori 3-1-17-0 - River End
ML Hayden 17* (42b 1x4 1x6) JL Langer 70* (76b 13x4)

       a maiden last over, followed by a 17-run over from Vettori, New
        Zealand in tatters as this pair continue to dominate in this
        series
       Cairns returns, switching ends, replacing Bond at the Church Street
        End
  19.1 Cairns to Hayden, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, leaves
        alone through to the keeper
  19.2 Cairns to Hayden, no run, slower, shortish straight ball on off
        stump, stands tall, defending watchfully down on close on the leg
        side
  19.3 Cairns to Hayden, one run, shortish lifting ball, Hayden pulls well
        down to long leg, Tuffey makes a good sliding save running around
        the boundary, keeping them down to just one
  19.4 Cairns to Langer, no run, shortish lifting straight ball on off
        stump, Langer fends it down from a fair height, safely into the
        gully
  19.5 Cairns to Langer, no run, shortish straight ball, tucked off the
        hip towards square leg
  19.6 Cairns to Langer, no run, shortish ball angling down the leg side,
        big deflecting as Langer looks to glance it away, a big snicking
        sound but clearly off Langer's rear end, through to Parore who
        makes a good diving take, Cairns appeals more in hope than
        conviction and umpire

End of over 20 (1 run) Australia 95/0
CL Cairns 8-2-26-0 - Church Street End
ML Hayden 18* (45b 1x4 1x6) JL Langer 70* (79b 13x4)

       Bucknor sees right through that, as poor old Langer rubs his
        posterior vigorously
       Tuffey also returns, switching ends to the River End, replacing
        Vettori
  20.1 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, Hayden
        elects to leave it well alone through to the keeper
  20.2 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, good tight fullish straight ball,
        shoulders arms through to the keeper safely as there's minimal
        movement off the deck now
  20.3 Tuffey to Hayden, two runs, a bit too full and straight, Hayden
        clips it well through widish mid on, Bond gives chase as they take
        a comfortable two
  20.4 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, fullish ball a bit too wide outside off
        stump, leaves well alone through to the keeper
  20.5 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, fair length ball just outside off stump,
        pushes forward, inside edging into the front pad, rebounds into
        the off side
  20.6 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, similar again, a bit fuller just outside
        off stump, Hayden pushes at it, inside edging into the front pad,
        drops dead at his feet

End of over 21 (2 runs) Australia 97/0
DR Tuffey 5-0-30-0 (2nb) - River End
JL Langer 70* (79b 13x4) ML Hayden 20* (51b 1x4 1x6)

  21.1 Cairns to Langer, no run, slower ball, the off spinner, just
        outside off stump, leaves alone through to the keeper, who takes
        on the second bounce
  21.2 Cairns to Langer, no run, shortish ball on off stump, taps it down
        into the off side in defence
  21.3 Cairns to Langer, no run, the first even remotely close ball to
        being an attempted bouncer so far this innings, climbs late but
        down the leg side, Langer just sways his head away from it to
        leave
  21.4 Cairns to Langer, legbye: one run, fullish ball on leg stump,
        deflects away from the pad down to long leg
  21.5 Cairns to Hayden, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump to a
        fair length ball swinging away late through to Parore
  21.6 Cairns to Hayden, FOUR, superb shot to bring up the 100
        partnership, swung away through midwicket as Cairns drops it in a
        bit too short, no chance for the man posted out at deep square leg

End of over 22 (5 runs) Australia 102/0
CL Cairns 9-2-30-0 - Church Street End
JL Langer 70* (83b 13x4) ML Hayden 24* (53b 2x4 1x6)

       that's three consecutive century opening stands between this pair,
        not bad going!
  22.1 Tuffey to Langer, no run, shortish ball on off stump, defends down
        square on the off side
  22.2 Tuffey to Langer, no run, good line and length ball just outside
        off stump and moving away late, Langer raises the arms to leave
        well alone through to the keeper
  22.3 Tuffey to Langer, one run, shortish straight ball, easily nudged
        away towards midwicket for a good quick single with the shot as
        Richardson has to field from square leg
  22.4 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump to a
        widish ball moving away, left through to the keeper
  22.5 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, shoulders arms to a fair length ball
        straightening off the seam outside off stump
  22.6 Tuffey to Hayden, one run, shortish straight ball, worked off the
        hip towards wide mid on for an easy single as the man posted
        straighter comes across to field

End of over 23 (2 runs) Australia 104/0
DR Tuffey 6-0-32-0 (2nb) - River End
ML Hayden 25* (56b 2x4 1x6) JL Langer 71* (86b 13x4)

  23.1 Cairns to Hayden, two runs, shortish ball on leg stump, tucked well
        off the hip to vacant midwicket, placed well between fielders to
        enable a smart two to be taken
  23.2 Cairns to Hayden, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
        firmly pushes straight to cover in defence
  23.3 Cairns to Hayden, no run, similar again, this time leaves it
        through to the keeper as it angles further away
  23.4 Cairns to Hayden, no run, and again, stretches well forward,
        shoulders arms through to the keeper
  23.5 Cairns to Hayden, no run, and once more, props well forward,
        soldily defending into the covers
  23.6 Cairns to Hayden, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, raises
        the arms to leave through to Parore again

End of over 24 (2 runs) Australia 106/0
CL Cairns 10-2-32-0 - Church Street End
JL Langer 71* (86b 13x4) ML Hayden 27* (62b 2x4 1x6)

       Langer now starting to fail in his bid for a ton before lunch on
        the opening day (not done since Majid Khan against New Zealand at
        Karachi in 1976/77), as Hayden sucks up more of the strike - needs
        29 off the remaining 19 minutes in the session
  24.1 Tuffey to Langer, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, shoulders
        arms through to the keeper, seams away a fraction late
  24.2 Tuffey to Langer, no run, very full and straight on off stump, gets
        right in behind it, strongly defending straight back down the
        pitch to the bowler
  24.3 Tuffey to Langer, (noball) no run, oversteps, shortish lifting ball
        on off stump, stands tall on the crease to push it away towards
        point in defence
       Tuffey switches to come around the wicket to the left-handed Langer
        now, normally it's Cairns who tries this move first, but not so
        far today
  24.3 Tuffey to Langer, no run, shortish ball angling in to Langer, hops
        on the crease to ease a cut straight to gully
  24.4 Tuffey to Langer, no run, very full on off stump, firmly driven
        into the pitch, straight back to Tuffey on his follow through
  24.5 Tuffey to Langer, two runs, leans forward to a fullish ball on off
        stump, deftly opens the face to run it away with soft hands, past
        Sinclair in the gully who has to give chase
  24.6 Tuffey to Langer, FOUR, a bit too short, Langer plays a good strong
        straight pull, down the ground between mid on and the bowler, just
        dragging it from outside off stump

End of over 25 (7 runs) Australia 113/0
DR Tuffey 7-0-39-0 (3nb) - River End
ML Hayden 27* (62b 2x4 1x6) JL Langer 77* (93b 14x4)

  25.1 Cairns to Hayden, FOUR, terrible bowling, drops it in short with a
        packed off side field, Hayden nonchalantly pulls with power and
        authority, through the vast open expanses at midwicket
  25.2 Cairns to Hayden, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, shoulders
        arms through to the keeper
  25.3 Cairns to Hayden, no run, fair length ball angling further away
        outside off stump, left well alone through to the keeper
  25.4 Cairns to Hayden, no run, similar again, a bit straighter, but able
        to leave just as comfortably
  25.5 Cairns to Hayden, no run, forward to a tighter, straight ball on
        off stump, watchfully defended straight back down the pitch to
        Cairns
  25.6 Cairns to Hayden, no run, fuller ball outside off stump, left well
        alone through to the keeper

End of over 26 (4 runs) Australia 117/0
CL Cairns 11-2-36-0 - Church Street End
JL Langer 77* (93b 14x4) ML Hayden 31* (68b 3x4 1x6)

  26.1 Tuffey to Langer, no run, Tuffey coming back over the wicket,
        shortish lifting straight ball just seaming away, Langer guides it
        down into the gully
  26.2 Tuffey to Langer, legbye: one run, shortish ball on leg stump,
        rebounds off the thigh pad backward of square leg for an easy
        single
  26.3 Tuffey to Hayden, two runs, poor bowling, on leg stump and Hayden
        easily picks it off through square leg, Cairns around from long
        leg to field
  26.4 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, fair length straight ball, Hayden
        misreads it, thinking it's angling across him, but pitches middle
        and leg, straightens, taken high on the pad, half-hearted appeal,
        probably a bit short and ducking back towards leg
  26.5 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, shortish ball angling down the leg side,
        left well alone through to the keeper
  26.6 Tuffey to Hayden, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, shapes to
        play before lifting the bat well clear to leave through to the
        keeper, swinging away a little late

End of over 27 (3 runs) Australia 120/0
DR Tuffey 8-0-41-0 (3nb) - River End
JL Langer 77* (95b 14x4) ML Hayden 33* (72b 3x4 1x6)

       Vettori returns to the attack from the Church Street End, replacing
        Cairns who has already had a fair workload in the first session -
        11 overs
  27.1 Vettori to Langer, no run, flighted on off stump, turns in to
        Langer who defends from the crease, dropping it away towards cover
        point
  27.2 Vettori to Langer, no run, flighted up nicely just outside off
        stump, turns into the front pad as he stretches forward watchfully
  27.3 Vettori to Langer, one run, flatter ball turning down leg, worked
        away off the legs out to the man at deep backward square leg
  27.4 Vettori to Hayden, FOUR, shot! Hayden gets on to this one
        magnificently, Vettori just put it up there invitingly enough and
        Hayden sweeps powerfully through square leg, leaving the
        outfielder for dead
  27.5 Vettori to Hayden, one run, flatter ball turning into the body,
        tucked away just backward of square leg
  27.6 Vettori to Langer, no run, thrusts the front pad well forward to a
        well flighted ball outside off stump, shoulders arms over the top
        of it, turns in just back past the pad to Parore

End of over 28 (6 runs) Australia 126/0
DL Vettori 4-1-23-0 - Church Street End
ML Hayden 38* (74b 4x4 1x6) JL Langer 78* (99b 14x4)

       the clock just ticks over to 1pm, and off to lunch we go, 126 runs
        off just 28 overs in the session without a blemish (Langer
        providing a chance to Bell off Tuffey in the 2nd over of the day,
        excepted)
       Langer the aggressor this time around, unlike Brisbane, but slowing
        well up in the second hour as the strike became less monopolised
        and his chances of a century in a session before lunch on the
        opening day dissapeared rapidly
       Hayden's already looking in a dominating mood, despite playing the
        quieter hand so far today, with a near impregnable defence and
        scything attack with a dismissive air about him
       all four of New Zealand's bowlers manages to mix the pretty good
        with the just plain ordinary, critically failing to try and
        contain and frustrate a wicket, after the initial attempts to
        attack failed miserably - the runs just keep on ticking along with
       ease, and the 'pretty good' balls were just not quite good enough,
        with barely one plausible shout for lbw as it was either dropped
        in miles too short, or overpitched with width to boot
       Bond showed a little promise with his extra pace, and by and large
        maintained a reasonable line, but struggled a bit with his
        footing, like Tuffey at the Church Street End before him
       play is set to resume in just over 35 minutes time at 1:40pm local
        time (0240 GMT), please join us then
       any comments about today's coverage can be sent to
        comms@cricinfo.com - we appreciate all feedback received

Match State: Lunch - Day 1

       the players make their way back on to the field
       the sun has come out at Bellerive Oval, ominous signs looming for
        the visitors, as the opening batsmen should start to benefit from
        more favourable conditions - as if they weren't enjoying it enough
        already!
       it'll be Shane Bond to bowl from the River End, replacing Tuffey
        from before lunch, bowling to Matthew Hayden
       it looks like Craig McMillan may well be brought into the attack
        before too long, too
  28.1 Bond to Hayden, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, shoulders
        arms to leave it well alone through to the keeper
  28.2 Bond to Hayden, no run, similar again, moving away rather late,
        well after Hayden has elected to leave it through to the keeper
       a discussion between bowler and umpire ensues, again complaining of
        problems with his front foot slipping forward as he plants on the
        delivery stride
       last thing New Zealand would need right now is a pull or a strain
        or something words, rendering one of their bowlers ineffective
        (moreso than now, that is), and some sawdust is brought out
  28.3 Bond to Hayden, one run, shortish straight ball, easily tapped away
        towards midwicket for a single
  28.4 Bond to Langer, no run, good quickish short rising ball, a dose
        similar to the first one he issued Langer from his opening
        delivery, rising into the body and Langer is struck, unable to
        defend it
  28.5 Bond to Langer, one run, but strays in the follow-up delivery,
        letting himself down, easily works it off the hip down to long leg
  28.6 Bond to Hayden, no run, good tidy shortish ball angling on off
        stump, defends from the crease, working it up towards mid on

End of over 29 (2 runs) Australia 128/0
SE Bond 6-0-23-0 (2nb) - River End
JL Langer 79* (101b 14x4) ML Hayden 39* (78b 4x4 1x6)

       and indeed, it's Craig McMillan brought into the attack, from the
        Church Street End, replacing Vettori after a single over prior to
        lunch
       two men in the deep on the leg side, predictably, as McMillan
        generally only knows one modus operandi with ball in hand
  29.1 McMillan to Langer, no run, but comes up with a surprise first
        ball, fuller and straighter, pitches on leg stump, taken on the
        pad, loud shout for lbw from 'Macca', but just going down leg
  29.2 McMillan to Langer, bye: one run, but there's the expected follow-
        up, a bouncer on leg stump, Langer poorly attempts to hook, almost
        gets a glove to it, wobbles in the air once it passes the batsman
        and Parore can't glove cleanly, conceding a bye behind the slips
  29.3 McMillan to Hayden, one run, fullish and straight, worked off the
        legs towards forward square leg
  29.4 McMillan to Langer, one run, fullish ball on off stump, seams back
        in a little, worked well from off to leg to vacant midwicket,
        working the singles cleverly, frustrating the bowler
  29.5 McMillan to Hayden, no run, full and straight on off stump, firmly
        pushed straight back down the pitch to the bowler
  29.6 McMillan to Hayden, no run, overpitches, wide ball outside off
        stump, low full toss and driven firmly along the ground, but
        straight to the deepish point fielder

End of over 30 (3 runs) Australia 131/0
CD McMillan 1-0-2-0 - Church Street End
JL Langer 80* (104b 14x4) ML Hayden 40* (81b 4x4 1x6)

       McMillan already looking a bit more effective and tidy than any
        bowler to precede him, in that over
  30.1 Bond to Langer, one run, drops it in short on the body, Langer
        pulls along the ground out to the man at deep square leg
  30.2 Bond to Hayden, no run, shortish straight ball, defends firmly from
        the crease, pushing up towards mid on
  30.3 Bond to Hayden, no run, full and straight, firmly pushed straight
        up to mid on again
  30.4 Bond to Hayden, no run, good back of a length ball on off stump,
        stands tall on the crease, firmly pushing straight back to the
        bowler on his follow through
  30.5 Bond to Hayden, three runs, just pitches a bit too full on his
        legs, nicely stroked up the ground just wide of McMillan at mid
        on, excellently played and run for a third, wasn't hit all that
        hard at all
  30.6 Bond to Langer, no run, quick ball outside off stump, rather full
        and moving further away, hangs the bat well back out of the way to
        leave through to the keeper

End of over 31 (4 runs) Australia 135/0
SE Bond 7-0-27-0 (2nb) - River End
ML Hayden 43* (85b 4x4 1x6) JL Langer 81* (106b 14x4)

  31.1 McMillan to Hayden, two runs, overpitched on his legs, picked off
        with absolute ease through backward square leg, time for two as
        Richardson's around in the deep to fling it back in
       Hayden scoring copious runs on the leg side, New Zealand simply not
        bowling a good line, exacerbating their problems manyfold
  31.2 McMillan to Hayden, no run, shortish straight ball, dragged across,
        playing to midwicket, this time a fielder's in there to cut it
        off, good diving stop
  31.3 McMillan to Hayden, FOUR, oh. dear. fullish ball outside off stump,
        Hayden really chases after it, quite a lot of width, gets a thick
        outside edge, flying just wide of Astle in the slips - the only
        slip, when a second slip would've happily pouched that without
        raising a sweat
       nothing going right for the visitors, the field is spread to try
        and restrict the runs, but they're coming just as thick and fast
        as ever
  31.4 McMillan to Hayden, no run, similarly fullish ball outside off
        stump, leaves well alone through to the keeper
  31.5 McMillan to Hayden, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
        pushed straight to short cover in defence
  31.6 McMillan to Hayden, no run, leaves alone a shorter ball in the
        channel outside off stump through to Parore

End of over 32 (6 runs) Australia 141/0
CD McMillan 2-0-8-0 - Church Street End
JL Langer 81* (106b 14x4) ML Hayden 49* (91b 5x4 1x6)

       strange that Fleming is not in the slips in favour of Astle,
        normally he is there if there's only one, except for spinners
  32.1 Bond to Langer, no run, what a great ball! a genuinely good ball, a
        rare sight today, but not enough to get the wicket, back of a
        length, in the right channel, Langer is drawn to it like a magnet
        to a V8 Holden Kingswood, but just fails to get the edge as it
        seams away
  32.2 Bond to Langer, two runs, insult to injury added as he taps a
        shortish straight ball down towards midwicket, quick single taken,
        and an extra run is given away as there's a direct hit at the base
        of the stumps at the keeper's end, and deflects away with Hayden
        well safe
  32.3 Bond to Langer, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, waftily
        waves at it, through to the keeper
  32.4 Bond to Langer, no run, good quick rising ball just outside off
        stump, Langer tries to pull but makes a pretty average attempt,
        done for pace and sharp bounce, over the top of the blade through
        to Parore
  32.5 Bond to Langer, no run, shortish ball, straying well down the leg
        side, left through to the keeper
  32.6 Bond to Langer, wide: no run, a bit of a shocker from Bond, very
        full and very, very wide, cutting the return crease as Langer
        leaves it well alone (not that he could've reached it anyway!),
        umpire Bucknor calls it a wide, rightfully
  32.6 Bond to Langer, FOUR, better ball, shortish rising delivery just
        outside off stump, but Langer squeezes away a fortunate boundary,
        coming off the face and running down through to the vacant third
        man boundary

End of over 33 (7 runs) Australia 148/0
SE Bond 8-0-34-0 (1w 2nb) - River End
ML Hayden 49* (91b 5x4 1x6) JL Langer 87* (112b 15x4)

       a fair over from Bond, not always on the mark, but showed a fair
        few signs he could rattle a batsman, a bit unlucky
  33.1 McMillan to Hayden, one run, fullish straight ball on off stump,
        firmly pushed up towards widish mid on, Cairns across to field it,
        that brings up Hayden's 50 off 92 balls, 5x4, 1x6, almost
        anonymous in the shadow of Langer, but has looked by far the more
        assured of the pair
  33.2 McMillan to Langer, (noball) no run, McMillan follows up with the
        ensuing scripted bouncer, Langer happily lets it pass through
        untouched, called no-ball for the bouncer
  33.2 McMillan to Langer, no run, shortish straight ball, tucks Langer up
        a bit, drops it away in close on the leg side, Langer looks for a
        quick single but is promptly sent back before there's danger
  33.3 McMillan to Langer, FOUR, poor ball, wide full toss outside off
        stump, extends the bat out to it, strongly steering it backward of
        point, finds the gap well and there's the 150 partnership
  33.4 McMillan to Langer, FOUR, and here we go again! Langer starting to
        get in that good ol' swinging mood again, short ball sits up,
        pulling very well forward of square, beats a diving attempt in the
        deep
  33.5 McMillan to Langer, no run, shortish ball on off stump, defends
        down square on the off side
  33.6 McMillan to Langer, no run, leaves alone a fullish ball outside off
        stump through to the keeper

End of over 34 (17 runs) Australia 158/0
CD McMillan 3-0-18-0 (1nb) - Church Street End
ML Hayden 50* (92b 5x4 1x6) JL Langer 95* (118b 17x4)

  34.1 Bond to Hayden, no run, full outside off stump, stretches well
        forward, easing it nicely along the ground out into the covers
  34.2 Bond to Hayden, FOUR, lovely shot! overpitched and Hayden plays a
        glorious on drive through wide midwicket, there's a man in the
        deep but he has to run a long way, and can't reach it
  34.3 Bond to Hayden, three runs, oh this is contempt now, fullish
        outside off stump, leans well into it, driving wonderfully through
        extra cover, and sprinting back for a third to rub more salt into
        the open wound
  34.4 Bond to Langer, no run, a snorter! Bond with the near ultimate
        reply, on a back of a length, Langer plays just inside it, but he
        was well drawn to it, shaving past the molecules surrounding the
        outside edge, through to Parore
  34.5 Bond to Langer, no run, fullish ball on off stump, pushes into the
        covers, a little hurried onto as the face opens more than he'd
        like
  34.6 Bond to Langer, three runs, fullish outside off stump, manages to
        steer it away through the gully, down towards the empty third man
        boundary, just overhauled this time

End of over 35 (10 runs) Australia 168/0
SE Bond 9-0-44-0 (1w 2nb) - River End
JL Langer 98* (121b 17x4) ML Hayden 57* (95b 6x4 1x6)

  35.1 McMillan to Langer, one run, straight ball, tucked off the hip, out
        towards deep square leg, looking for a second, but stays at home,
        can't get back for the ton just yet, Richardson firing back in
        quickly to the keeper
  35.2 McMillan to Hayden, FOUR, *thwack* shortish straight ball,
        monstered over midwicket, one bounce inches short of the rope,
        superb pull, and that's 1000 Test runs in 2001 for Hayden
  35.3 McMillan to Hayden, no run, props half forward in defence, a little
        uncertainty there as McMillan gets it in the right place, inside
        edges into the pad, drops away square on the off side
  35.4 McMillan to Hayden, no run, leaves alone a fullish ball outside off
        stump, straight through to Parore
  35.5 McMillan to Hayden, no run, fullish ball angling down the leg side,
        looks to glance it, deflects off the pad through to Parore,
        McMillan appeals in vain
  35.6 McMillan to Hayden, two runs, overpitched on the legs, driven wide
        of Cairns at mid on, two more as the scoreboard ticks over too
        quickly for the attendants to keep up with

End of over 36 (7 runs) Australia 175/0
CD McMillan 4-0-25-0 (1nb) - Church Street End
JL Langer 99* (122b 17x4) ML Hayden 63* (100b 7x4 1x6)

  36.1 Bond to Langer, no run, full and straight, driven straight up
        towards mid on, can't get it through for the century
  36.2 Bond to Langer, FOUR, and there it is! short outside off stump,
        runs it off the face, exploiting the gap between the slips and
        gully, down to the vacant third man boundary, and that's his
        century in 123 balls, 18x3, his third in three Tests against New
        Zealand
  36.3 Bond to Langer, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, leaves well
        alone through to the keeper
  36.4 Bond to Langer, no run, full outside off stump, drives straight
        into the covers
  36.5 Bond to Langer, no run, short rising ball just outside off stump,
        leaves well alone through to the keeper
  36.6 Bond to Langer, no run, good short lifting ball on off stump, has
        Langer fending at it a bit, comes off the shoulder of the bat,
        just falling short of backward point, Langer calls for a new bat
        as it takes a great big chunk off the top of the bat

End of over 37 (4 runs) Australia 179/0
SE Bond 10-0-48-0 (1w 2nb) - River End
ML Hayden 63* (100b 7x4 1x6) JL Langer 103* (128b 18x4)

       Daniel Vettori replaces McMillan at the Church Street End, the
        'Macca move' doesn't work this time for Fleming
  37.1 Vettori to Hayden, no run, flighted up nicely outside off stump,
        driven firmly along the ground straight to cover
       Fleming has three men on the leg side boundary set for Hayden
        facing Vettori
  37.2 Vettori to Hayden, no run, flighted up full and straight, comes
        well forward, defending straight back down the pitch to the bowler
  37.3 Vettori to Hayden, no run, flatter ball turning in from outside off
        stump, frees the arms a little but can only force it away straight
        to cover
  37.4 Vettori to Hayden, no run, another flat ball outside off stump,
        goes straight on and has Hayden beaten trying to cut, playing
        underneath it as he's done for bounce
  37.5 Vettori to Hayden, no run, dances forward early, but Vettori drops
        it in quicker, flatter and shorter, forced to respectfully defend
        down in close on the leg side
  37.6 Vettori to Hayden, no run, ouch! Hayden sweeps from outside off
        stump, and does so in his customarily brutal fashion, this time
        it's Mark Richardson in close at short leg who bears the brunt of
        it, shying away but copping one on his right thigh, almost pops up
        for Parore to try

End of over 38 (maiden) Australia 179/0
DL Vettori 5-2-23-0 - Church Street End
JL Langer 103* (128b 18x4) ML Hayden 63* (106b 7x4 1x6)

       and take a freakish catch, but unfortunately Richardson didn't wear
        rubber trousers today and it drops well short, the nuggety Otago
        player wears the blow happily
  38.1 Bond to Langer, no run, shortish straight ball, tapped down on the
        leg side of the pitch in defence
  38.2 Bond to Langer, no run, full and straight on off stump, presents a
        vertical blade to it, nicely driving straight up to mid off
  38.3 Bond to Langer, no run, good tight ball on off stump, but Langer is
        equal to it, nudging it square on the off side, looking for a
        quick run but cut off smartly
  38.4 Bond to Langer, no run, ooh, Langer has a bit of a go at a fair
        length ball outside off stump, driving and missing, never extended
        fully to it, moves away late through to Parore
  38.5 Bond to Langer, one run, shorter ball outside off stump, cuts it
        straight down to third man, New Zealand at last employing one down
        there
  38.6 Bond to Hayden, no run, fair length ball moving a fair bit wide
        outside off stump, no stroke required, therefore no stroke
        offered, all very simple for the openers here

End of over 39 (1 run) Australia 180/0
SE Bond 11-0-49-0 (1w 2nb) - River End
JL Langer 104* (133b 18x4) ML Hayden 63* (107b 7x4 1x6)

  39.1 Vettori to Langer, two runs, flat ball turning down leg, worked
        away easily off the legs, long leg comes finer in the deep to
        field
  39.2 Vettori to Langer, three runs, turning in from outside off stump,
        Langer cuts reasonably against the spin and gets it away through
        vacant gully, slightly aerial, but always safe, fielded just
        inside the third man boundary
  39.3 Vettori to Hayden, two runs, down the track, looking to loft down
        the ground, not to the pitch of the ball as he's well done by
        Vettori, plays inside out and gets a fortunate chip over the
        covers, a minor moral victory for the bowler on that occasion, but
        the score increases by
       two runs nevertheless
  39.4 Vettori to Hayden, one run, flighted up full, well swept along the
        carpet out to deep backward square leg
  39.5 Vettori to Langer, no run, tight ball turning in on off stump,
        defended away just backward of square on the off side
  39.6 Vettori to Langer, no run, thrusts the front pad well forward to a
        flighted ball on off stump, kicked away towards point

End of over 40 (8 runs) Australia 188/0
DL Vettori 6-2-31-0 - Church Street End
ML Hayden 66* (109b 7x4 1x6) JL Langer 109* (137b 18x4)

       Chris Cairns returns to the bowling attack, replacing Bond after a
        reasonable, if sometimes inconsistent, spell at the River End
       Fleming seems loathsome to give former flatmate Nathan Astle a bowl
        at the moment
       yet it was no coincidence that a sudden flurry of six wickets fell
        in a similar situation at Brisbane while he was bowling from one
        end - considering the current state of the game, whilst no magic
        solutions can be offered, it couldn't hurt!
  40.1 Cairns to Hayden, no run, fair length ball just outside off stump,
        leaves well alone straight through to the keeper
  40.2 Cairns to Hayden, FOUR, overpitched outside off stump, Hayden gets
        right to it, beautifully driving through the covers
  40.3 Cairns to Hayden, FOUR, shortish straight ball, sits up a bit too
        much to be a danger, swung down through midwicket, didn't get
        fully hold of it, but the big Unit is strong enough that it just
        beats the sliding Bond into the rope anyway
  40.4 Cairns to Hayden, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, leaves
        alone through to the keeper
  40.5 Cairns to Hayden, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, again
        leaves well alone through to Parore
  40.6 Cairns to Hayden, no run, a bit fuller, a bit wider, Hayden happily
        elects to leave it through to Parore again

End of over 41 (8 runs) Australia 196/0
CL Cairns 12-2-44-0 - River End
JL Langer 109* (137b 18x4) ML Hayden 74* (115b 9x4 1x6)

  41.1 Vettori to Langer, one run, shortish ball on off stump, easily
        worked around the corner backward of square on the leg side, just
        milking it
  41.2 Vettori to Hayden, no run, jumps down the track, at almost every
        opportunity he can get it seems, Hayden is forced to defend as
        Vettori keeps it tight, pushes it up towards mid on
  41.3 Vettori to Hayden, no run, flatter ball outside off stump, cuts,
        but straight to point
       Vettori getting measured amounts of turn, the wider he pitches
        outside off stump, the more he extracts, but even with a bit of
        helpful bounce, he hasn't threatened too many times so far - his
        main job must be to keep it tight right now
  41.4 Vettori to Hayden, no run, flat ball just outside off stump, pushed
        away square on the off side in defence again
  41.5 Vettori to Hayden, one run, flighted up invitingly, Hayden sweeps
        strongly and has Richardson worried in under the helmet again,
        just whistles past his head, out to the man posted on the fence at
        deep midwicket
  41.6 Vettori to Langer, no run, flat ball turning in, defended up
        towards mid on

End of over 42 (2 runs) Australia 198/0
DL Vettori 7-2-33-0 - Church Street End
ML Hayden 75* (119b 9x4 1x6) JL Langer 110* (139b 18x4)

  42.1 Cairns to Hayden, one run, shortish straight ball on off stump,
        nudged up towards widish mid on, another single milked as it's
        played smartly wide of the fielder
  42.2 Cairns to Langer, no run, fairly full outside off stump, mistimed
        as he looks for the strong off drive, played up to widish mid off
  42.3 Cairns to Langer, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
        hangs the bat back out of the way to leave through to the keeper
  42.4 Cairns to Langer, no run, pitched fairly full outside off stump,
        driven straight up to mid off
  42.5 Cairns to Langer, two runs, too short outside off stump, slapped
        down through the covers, two men give chase, back for the second
        and there's their second consecutive 200 run opening stand,
        magnificent stuff
  42.6 Cairns to Langer, FOUR, shot! one of the shots of the day, a bit
        full outside off stump and Langer pounds it away through extra
        cover, every shot seems to be finding a gap - a mark of quality

End of over 43 (7 runs) Australia 205/0
CL Cairns 13-2-51-0 - River End
ML Hayden 76* (120b 9x4 1x6) JL Langer 116* (144b 19x4)

       time for some lubrication, New Zealand may want something with an
        alcoholic base or some rocket fuel - depending on their current
        mental state

Match State: Drinks

  43.1 Vettori to Hayden, no run, flat ball turning in on off stump,
        defends down in close on the off side
  43.2 Vettori to Hayden, FOUR, dances down the track, smacks it over the
        covers, cracking shot, Vettori feels absolutely helpless to the
        merciless approach by Hayden here
  43.3 Vettori to Hayden, one run, shuffles right across outside off
        stump, working a ball from off stump backward of square leg, this
        is all too easy
  43.4 Vettori to Langer, no run, flighted up nicely on off stump, Langer
        prods forward, defending with the front pad square on the off side
  43.5 Vettori to Langer, one run, uses his feet well to get to the pitch
        a straighter, flighted ball, driven straight down the ground to
        long on
  43.6 Vettori to Hayden, one run, flighted up just outside off stump,
        firmly strokes it back down on the leg side of the pitch, just
        past the diving Vettori, to long on

End of over 44 (7 runs) Australia 212/0
DL Vettori 8-2-40-0 - Church Street End
ML Hayden 82* (124b 10x4 1x6) JL Langer 117* (146b 19x4)

  44.1 Cairns to Hayden, no run, straight, back a length ball seaming back
        from a line of off stump, takes Hayden high on the pad, rebounding
        square on the off side, a rare time Hayden has been even remotely
        'beaten'
  44.2 Cairns to Hayden, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, left
        well alone as it moves further way through to the keeper
  44.3 Cairns to Hayden, (noball) no run, oversteps, similar ball left
        well alone outside off stump through to the keeper
  44.3 Cairns to Hayden, one run, shortish straight ball on off stump,
        Hayden gets across to come in behind it, able to work it up
        towards widish mid on for an easy single
  44.4 Cairns to Langer, FOUR, shot! overpitched outside off stump, juicy
        half volley for Langer and he dispatches it through the covers in
        most fashionable style
  44.5 Cairns to Langer, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
        left well alone through to the keeper
  44.6 Cairns to Langer, (noball) no run, a rare bouncer, angling down the
        leg side, Langer stays well underneath it, called no-ball,
        bewilders both bowler and New Zealand captain, but the umpires
        explain the new laws in place, it was very high over Langer's head
  44.6 Cairns to Langer, no run, full and rather wide outside off stump,
        left alone through to Parore, not far from being called a wide
        there either

End of over 45 (7 runs) Australia 219/0
CL Cairns 14-2-58-0 (2nb) - River End
ML Hayden 83* (128b 10x4 1x6) JL Langer 121* (150b 20x4)

  45.1 Vettori to Hayden, no run, flighted up full and straight, well
        forward, defending straight back down the pitch to the bowler
  45.2 Vettori to Hayden, no run, dances down the track, yet again, but is
        contained, for now, pushing a well flighted ball outside off stump
        back down on the leg side of the pitch, Vettori dives to his left
        to field well off his own bowling
  45.3 Vettori to Hayden, one run, flatter ball on off stump, Hayden gets
        inside it well, on bended knee very early, sweeps strongly out to
        deep backward square leg
  45.4 Vettori to Langer, one run, similar flat ball, swept away backward
        of square leg also
  45.5 Vettori to Hayden, one run, swept again from outside off stump,
        strongly along the ground out to deep backward square leg
  45.6 Vettori to Langer, one run, worked off the legs backward of square
        leg once more, easy pickings

End of over 46 (4 runs) Australia 223/0
DL Vettori 9-2-44-0 - Church Street End
JL Langer 123* (152b 20x4) ML Hayden 85* (132b 10x4 1x6)

       this pair one run shy of their first Test effort, but hard to see
        where a wicket is going to come from, let alone a similar grand
        collapse, at this stage
  46.1 Cairns to Langer, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
        left alone through to the keeper
  46.2 Cairns to Langer, OUT: can you believe it? this commentator
        struggles to, the ultimate in Murphy's predictions - Langer scoops
        up a fullish ball outside off stump ... straight to Vettori at
        cover

       Australia 223/1, Partnership of 223
       JL Langer  c Vettori b Cairns  123 (154b 20x4 0x6)
       ML Hayden 85* (132b 10x4 1x6) CL Cairns 14.2-2-58-1 (2nb)

       Langer walks off, a tremendous century to his name at rapid pace,
        his third in three matches since being recalled, as an opener no
        less, and his third in consecutive games against New Zealand
       Ricky Ponting the new batsman
  46.3 Cairns to Ponting, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, left
        well alone through to the keeper
  46.4 Cairns to Ponting, no run, full and straight, pushed firmly
        straight up to Richardson at mid on
  46.5 Cairns to Ponting, two runs, they talk of things coming in threes,
        well Ponting manages to avoid a collective that he wouldn't want -
        three ducks in a row on his home ground, with a good stroke
        through the covers, playing a shortish ball down safely
  46.6 Cairns to Ponting, no run, full and straight, driven sweetly
        straight up to mid on

End of over 47 (2 runs) Australia 225/1
CL Cairns 15-2-60-1 (2nb) - River End
ML Hayden 85* (132b 10x4 1x6) RT Ponting 2* (4b)

  47.1 Vettori to Hayden, no run, props well forward, watchfully defending
        a ball turning in from outside off stump
  47.2 Vettori to Hayden, no run, jumps down the track, but is kept quiet
        by a good tight ball on off stump, defends down on the off side of
        the pitch
  47.3 Vettori to Hayden, one run, flighted up full and straight, Hayden
        manages to drive it straighter down the ground for the single this
        time
  47.4 Vettori to Ponting, no run, props forward in defence to a nicely
        flighted ball on off stump, drops it down in close on the off side
  47.5 Vettori to Ponting, no run, jumps down the pitch, covering a nicely
        flighted ball with bat/pad, defendind straight back to the bowler
  47.6 Vettori to Ponting, no run, watchfully forward, defends another
        good flighted ball on off stump down to the man at silly point

End of over 48 (1 run) Australia 226/1
DL Vettori 10-2-45-0 - Church Street End
ML Hayden 86* (135b 10x4 1x6) RT Ponting 2* (7b)

  48.1 Cairns to Hayden, one run, full just outside off stump, driven
        towards cover point, good quick single taken with the shot as two
        fielders converge on it, Hayden working the gaps nicely
  48.2 Cairns to Ponting, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        shoulders arms through to the keeper
  48.3 Cairns to Ponting, FOUR, short rising ball outside off stump, drops
        it too short though, punished as Ponting slaps it down through
        extra cover from the back foot
  48.4 Cairns to Ponting, no run, shortish ball on off stump, taps it down
        into the ground just backward of point in defence
  48.5 Cairns to Ponting, (noball) no run, oversteps, full on off stump,
        Ponting defends with a dead bat into the off side
  48.5 Cairns to Ponting, two runs, full on the legs, clipped firmly
        through vacant midwicket, Cairns a bit erratic despite having the
        chance to bowl at a new batsman - being a right-hander might be
        what's throwing him off!
  48.6 Cairns to Ponting, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
        shuffles across to it, defends down into the covers

End of over 49 (8 runs) Australia 234/1
CL Cairns 16-2-68-1 (3nb) - River End
ML Hayden 87* (136b 10x4 1x6) RT Ponting 8* (13b 1x4)

  49.1 Vettori to Hayden, no run, jumps down the track, Hayden watchfully
        nudges it away towards wide mid on in defence as Vettori cramps
        him up a little
  49.2 Vettori to Hayden, FOUR, shot! flighted very invitingly, Hayden
        down the track and lofts it straight back over Vettori's head,
        more power than timing but it matters not, into the sightscreen it
        goes
  49.3 Vettori to Hayden, no run, flatter ball turning towards leg, worked
        off the hip straight to square leg
  49.4 Vettori to Hayden, OUT: my goodness, perhaps time to starting
        eating one's hat - a double breakthrough for New Zealand as the
        other opener goes - but short of a century this time, tries to
        pick up another down the ground, but gets under it just a bit too
        much

       Australia 238/2, Partnership of 15
       ML Hayden  c Bond b Vettori  91 (140b 11x4 1x6)
       RT Ponting 8* (13b 1x4) DL Vettori 10.4-2-49-1

       lofting it straight down the throat of Bond awaiting it in from the
        boundary at long on, and Hayden departs 9 short of consecutive
        centuries - Black Cap Number 216 on the other hand registers his
        name into the record books, his first Test catch (in lieu
       of any wickets, for now)
       Mark Waugh the new batsman
  49.5 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flat ball on off stump, defends down in
        close on the off side
  49.6 Vettori to Ponting, no run, Vettori tries the one that goes the
        other way, but can't quite extract the same control that
        Muralitharan or Saqlain normally manage, stays rather wide outside
        off stump and left well alone

End of over 50 (4 runs) Australia 238/2
DL Vettori 11-2-49-1 - Church Street End
ME Waugh 0* (0b) RT Ponting 8* (15b 1x4)

  50.1 Cairns to ME Waugh, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, left
        through to keeper Parore
  50.2 Cairns to ME Waugh, no run, shortish lifting ball just outside off
        stump, stands tall on the crease, easing it firmly straight to
        point
  50.3 Cairns to ME Waugh, FOUR, Waugh gets off a 'shared pair' between
        Tests with a streaky cut from a short rising ball coming back into
        his body, the room wasn't there, but just gets it wide of Astle at
        second slip, down to the vacant third man boundary
  50.4 Cairns to ME Waugh, no run, fuller, quicker ball outside off stump,
        looks to drive off the back foot through the covers, but it
        doesn't bounce like the others and stays well underneath the bat
  50.5 Cairns to ME Waugh, no run, shortish straight ball, defends from
        the crease in close on the leg side
  50.6 Cairns to ME Waugh, two runs, shortish ball outside off stump,
        stands tall on the crease to force it through extra cover nicely,
        Bell fields smartly to keep them to two

End of over 51 (6 runs) Australia 244/2
CL Cairns 17-2-74-1 (3nb) - River End
RT Ponting 8* (15b 1x4) ME Waugh 6* (6b 1x4)

  51.1 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flattish ball just outside off stump,
        Ponting stands tall on the crease to defend back on the off side
        of the pitch
  51.2 Vettori to Ponting, no run, jumps down the track to meet a well
        flighted straight ball, defends with bat/pad in close on the off
        side
  51.3 Vettori to Ponting, one run, flighted up a bit too straight, well
        worked off the legs towards midwicket
  51.4 Vettori to ME Waugh, no run, flighted up very well outside off
        stump, driven strongly off the back foot straight to cover
  51.5 Vettori to ME Waugh, no run, beautifully flighted on middle and
        leg, goes straight on to the front pad, rebounds to Fleming at
        silly point, big appeal for lbw from all in close, but umpire
        Bucknor holds firm and says not out - very good call according to
        the replay, went well
       the probing bat extended in front of the leading pad
  51.6 Vettori to ME Waugh, no run, props forward in defence to a similar
        ball, rebounds away past Fleming at silly point this time

End of over 52 (1 run) Australia 245/2
DL Vettori 12-2-50-1 - Church Street End
RT Ponting 9* (18b 1x4) ME Waugh 6* (9b 1x4)

  52.1 Cairns to Ponting, no run, shoulders arms to a fullish ball outside
        off stump, Parore takes low down
  52.2 Cairns to Ponting, one run, full on the legs, strongly clipped off
        the legs straight out to deep backward square leg
  52.3 Cairns to ME Waugh, no run, shoulders arms to a shortish ball
        outside off stump
       the field rearranged again by Fleming, an 'in-out' zig zag off
        side, with two slips, and just a midwicket on the leg side
  52.4 Cairns to ME Waugh, no run, and he picks out the midwicket man,
        full and straight, clipped along the ground straight to him
  52.5 Cairns to ME Waugh, FOUR, short lifting ball with plenty of width
        outside off stump, Waugh uppercuts, but doesn't fail like a few of
        the top order batsman in the Brisbane Test, well scooped up clear
        of point
  52.6 Cairns to ME Waugh, two runs, a bit too full and straight, firmly
        driven straight down the ground on the leg side, mid off has to
        come right across to chase after it

End of over 53 (7 runs) Australia 252/2
CL Cairns 18-2-81-1 (3nb) - River End
RT Ponting 10* (20b 1x4) ME Waugh 12* (13b 2x4)

  53.1 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flighted up full on off stump, leans
        well forward to smother it in defence, rolls away in close on the
        leg side
  53.2 Vettori to Ponting, one run, flighted well up, on the legs, clipped
        away along the ground out to the man at deep backward square leg
  53.3 Vettori to ME Waugh, no run, flighted up on off stump, comes well
        forward, quietly pushing back on the leg side of the pitch in
        defence
  53.4 Vettori to ME Waugh, no run, Vettori tries to the wristy ball
        again, but again it hangs well outside off stump, Waugh goes after
        it, but chops it into the ground
  53.5 Vettori to ME Waugh, OUT: oh boy! well blow me down and call me
        Murphy. Waugh comes down the track, looking to do a Hayden and
        loft him down the ground, but misses horrible, beautifully bowled
        and straight through him, beaten in flight and takes off stump

       Australia 253/3, Partnership of 15
       ME Waugh  b Vettori  12 (16b 2x4 0x6)
       RT Ponting 11* (22b 1x4) DL Vettori 12.5-2-51-2

       would've been stumped easily had it not been so accurate, and Waugh
        has another relative failure
       223 without loss becomes 253/3 - is the Australian batting line-up
        feeling guilty every time they hit 200 and don't lose a wicket?
       Steve Waugh comes in to replace his brother at the crease
  53.6 Vettori to SR Waugh, no run, shortish ball, cutting off the back
        foot, straight to point

End of over 54 (1 run) Australia 253/3
DL Vettori 13-2-51-2 - Church Street End
RT Ponting 11* (22b 1x4) SR Waugh 0* (1b)

       Bond, Shane Bond, returns at the River End, replacing Cairns
  54.1 Bond to Ponting, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, Ponting
        jumps right across the crease towards it, but shoulders arms to
        leave through to the keeper
  54.2 Bond to Ponting, FOUR, shortish ball seaming back late into Ponting
        who shuffles right across to off stump, plays a very late cut,
        hurried on to him, not a genuine stroke, but good enough to get
        four as he squeezes it down to the vacant third man boundary
  54.3 Bond to Ponting, no run, fuller ball pushed through outside off
        stump, Ponting will have none of that, left to the keeper
  54.4 Bond to Ponting, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, shuffles
        across towards it but again leaves as it shapes away slightly late
  54.5 Bond to Ponting, no run, angles a slightly fuller ball into the
        right-hander, swings back in to the pads, taken high on the knee
        roll as Ponting leans well over in trying to whip it away with no
        success
  54.6 Bond to Ponting, no run, jumps right across to off stump, raising
        the arms well clear to leave a shortish ball outside off stump
        through to Parore

End of over 55 (4 runs) Australia 257/3
SE Bond 12-0-53-0 (1w 2nb) - River End
SR Waugh 0* (1b) RT Ponting 15* (28b 2x4)

  55.1 Vettori to SR Waugh, no run, gets in a nice arm ball, but Waugh is
        well forward to defend with bat/pad down in close on the leg side
  55.2 Vettori to SR Waugh, no run, flighted up teasingly, very good
        bowling, Waugh smartly watches it all the way before leaving as it
        turns away
  55.3 Vettori to SR Waugh, no run, tighter ball honing in on off stump,
        defended from the crease into the covers
  55.4 Vettori to SR Waugh, no run, flighted up full and straight, defends
        with bat/pad tightly together, dropping it down in close on the
        off side
  55.5 Vettori to SR Waugh, no run, flighted well up just outside off
        stump, drives from his toes, straight to cover
  55.6 Vettori to SR Waugh, no run, stretches well forward, defending a
        flat ball on off stump, played down towards point

End of over 56 (maiden) Australia 257/3
DL Vettori 14-3-51-2 - Church Street End
RT Ponting 15* (28b 2x4) SR Waugh 0* (7b)

       Vettori really starting to come into his own, fine control, great
        loop and a bit of turn
  56.1 Bond to Ponting, no run, ooh my, a desperate appeal by Bond and
        company for his first Test cricket, with umpire Davis won't
        oblige, good call, Ponting tried to cut a good shortish straight
        ball that nipped back off the seam, cuts and misses, too tight
       may have just brushed the body on its way through to the keeper
  56.2 Bond to Ponting, FOUR, Bond again slackens off after bowling a good
        ball, short outside off stump, cuts hard in the air, over the
        despairing leap of the gully fielder
  56.3 Bond to Ponting, one run, shortish straight ball, swivels on the
        crease, pulling along the ground out to deep backward square leg
  56.4 Bond to SR Waugh, (noball) no run, oversteps, good quick ball
        though, short and rising just outside off stump, Waugh had to
        alter his stroke, hanging the back bat out of the road at the last
        minute
  56.4 Bond to SR Waugh, no run, good length ball on a very tight line
        just outside off stump, comes back late as it's left alone through
        to the keeper
  56.5 Bond to SR Waugh, no run, good short rising ball angling into the
        body, has Waugh hopping into it, fends away from the glove, into
        the torso, just pops away wide of the diving Richardson at short
        leg
  56.6 Bond to SR Waugh, no run, shuffles right across to off stump,
        shuffles right in behind it, soldily defending into the covers

End of over 57 (6 runs) Australia 263/3
SE Bond 13-0-59-0 (1w 3nb) - River End
RT Ponting 20* (31b 3x4) SR Waugh 0* (11b)

       and that's tea, gentlemen (and ladies), another fascinating session
        with the New Zealanders hauling the demonstrative start made by
        the Australian openers back ever so slightly with three fairly
        quick wickets
       there's still no doubt as to who is firmly in control at Bellerive
        at present, but the Black Caps must be heartened by an improved
        last hour, with Vettori looking infinitely more at home bowling to
        right-handers than the two pesky lefties - one of which
       was a supreme sweeper of the ball
       Bond has bowled without luck, tickling up the batsmen on a number
        of occasions, but then going ahead and being his own worst enemy
        by following it up with a 'get out of jail' delivery
       not much else can be said of the innings played by Hayden and
        Langer that the scoreboard already tells - it was absolute
        domination after lunch, and looking rather bleak for the tourists
        until a couple of cheap breakthroughs were made
       the parallels to the first Test at Brisbane are almost scary, but
        the rate at which the Australians have scored at, even after the
        wickets fell, should probably minimise the effect of the mini-
        collapse
       play is set to resume in just under 15 minutes time at 4pm local
        time (0500 GMT), where we'll have 33 overs to bowl until stumps,
        please join us then
       any comments about today's coverage can be sent to
        comms@cricinfo.com - we appreciate all feedback received

Match State: Tea - Day 1

       the players return to the field for the final session of the
        opening day at Bellerive Oval, it'll be Ricky Ponting to take
        strike to Daniel Vettori
  57.1 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flighted up very full on off stump,
        comes well down to it, strongly driven off the toes, but straight
        to midwicket
  57.2 Vettori to Ponting, no run, well floated up, watchfully pushed
        straight back down the pitch to the bowler
  57.3 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flatter ball on off stump, shuffles
        back and in behind it, defending from the crease with a vertical
        blade, played straight back to the bowler
  57.4 Vettori to Ponting, no run, jumps well forward out of his crease
        again, but Vettori pushes it a bit wider, Ponting has to adjust
        and defends with bat/pad down in close on the off side
  57.5 Vettori to Ponting, no run, well flighted up, strongly driven
        straight back down the point, Vettori makes a good diving stop,
        falling to his right, knocks it into Steve Waugh's feet
  57.6 Vettori to Ponting, two runs, just drifts to leg stump, well turned
        away out through midwicket

End of over 58 (2 runs) Australia 265/3
DL Vettori 15-3-53-2 - Church Street End
SR Waugh 0* (11b) RT Ponting 22* (37b 3x4)

       Shane Bond to continue from the River End
  58.1 Bond to SR Waugh, (noball) no run, oversteps, sharp shortish
        lifting straight ball, seams back in and takes the glove and pops
        down safely on the off side, fending somewhat
  58.1 Bond to SR Waugh, no run, excellent quicker ball pushed through,
        Waugh squares around on the crease, taken on the leg straight in
        front, huge shout for lbw led by the bowler, but just a bit too
        high says umpire Davis
  58.2 Bond to SR Waugh, no run, hops on the crease, defends down in close
        on the off side to a good shortish straight ball
  58.3 Bond to SR Waugh, no run, jumps right across to off stump, getting
        well in behind a shortish straight ball, defending back on the off
        side of the pitch
  58.4 Bond to SR Waugh, no run, a bit slower, similar line and length,
        dropping it in back of a length and having Waugh hopping on the
        crease, drops it dead at his toes
  58.5 Bond to SR Waugh, no run, good bowling! sharp shortish lifting ball
        seaming back in to Waugh, hops on the crease and takes Waugh on
        the glove, Bond with a good effort to keep the master contained
        here
  58.6 Bond to SR Waugh, OUT: absolutely brilliant bowling, Bond gets a
        huge first Test wicket, a sustained over of great short bowling,
        and just like Brisbane, Waugh is done by a fuller one, leaves
        alone a straight ball on off stump that nips back, and plumb lbw
        says

       Australia 266/4, Partnership of 13
       SR Waugh  lbw b Bond  0 (18b 0x4 0x6)

End of over 59 (1 run) Australia 266/4
SE Bond 14-0-60-1 (1w 4nb) - River End
RT Ponting 22* (37b 3x4) 

       umpire Davis
       Bond fully deserves that wicket, toiled away manfully with no luck,
        and finally gets it all together in an entire over, and reaps the
        reward - an 18-ball duck from Steve Waugh
       Damien Martyn the new batsman, again New Zealand just 'ruffling a
        few feathers' as Fleming put it before the Test
  59.1 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flighted up full on off stump, works it
        out from his feet towards midwicket
  59.2 Vettori to Ponting, one run, comes down the track to a well
        flighted ball, stroked along the ground up towards mid on, well
        worked for a quick single with the shot
  59.3 Vettori to Martyn, OUT: unbelievable! absolutely astonishing! the
        Hobart crowd is silenced oh-so-eerily like that of Brisbane, as
        New Zealand continue their amazing middle-order-killing-spree -
        flighted very full, struck on the toe, dead in front, umpire
        Bucknor

       Australia 267/5, Partnership of 1
       DR Martyn  lbw b Vettori  0 (1b 0x4 0x6)
       RT Ponting 23* (39b 3x4) DL Vettori 15.3-3-54-3

       raises the dreaded finger after a long look
       Adam Gilchrist the new batsman - just when New Zealand thought they
        were ready to tear up the tail, they run into a brick wall at No 7
        - what a man to have coming in right now
       both teams seem intent on mixing the sublime with the ridiculous
        today - what a first day!
  59.4 Vettori to Gilchrist, no run, Vettori gets some real tweak on this
        one, but rather straight, defended off the feet towards midwicket
  59.5 Vettori to Gilchrist, no run, flighted up straight, watchfully
        defends down in close on the leg side
  59.6 Vettori to Gilchrist, no run, stretches well forward, shouldering
        arms to a well flighted ball outside off stump, straight through
        to Parore

End of over 60 (1 run) Australia 267/5
DL Vettori 16-3-54-3 - Church Street End
RT Ponting 23* (39b 3x4) AC Gilchrist 0* (3b)

  60.1 Bond to Ponting, one run, full outside off stump, firmly driven
        straight up towards mid off, quick single taken with the shot, a
        shy at the bowler's end by Cairns just misses, they look for
        overthrows as it runs away, but Tuffey is in from deep backward
        square leg quickly
       to tidy up and prevent it
       the super slow motion replays show the Steve Waugh dismissal may
        not have been as plumb as umpire Davis would have the world
        believe, looking to go over the stumps, but it looked like a
        dismissal given through guilt - Waugh had been so well done the
        rest
       of the over, that he looked truly fooled and defeated when he left
        the last one
  60.2 Bond to Gilchrist, no run, forward in defence to a shortish
        straight ball on off stump, played back down the pitch compactly
  60.3 Bond to Gilchrist, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, leaves
        well alone through to the keeper
  60.4 Bond to Gilchrist, no run, similar again, left well alone through
        to Parore
  60.5 Bond to Gilchrist, FOUR, shortish ball just outside off stump,
        pings off the face, Gilchrist smartly gliding it between the slips
        and gully, down to the now-vacated-again third man boundary
  60.6 Bond to Gilchrist, no run, shortish ball angling away outside off
        stump, left alone through to Parore

End of over 61 (5 runs) Australia 272/5
SE Bond 15-0-65-1 (1w 4nb) - River End
RT Ponting 24* (40b 3x4) AC Gilchrist 4* (8b 1x4)

  61.1 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flighted up teasingly outside off
        stump, reasonably wide, and hangs out there, Ponting drives into
        the covers
  61.2 Vettori to Ponting, FOUR, exquisite stuff from Ponting, flighted up
        full and straight, twinkle toes dances down the track and drives
        through wide midwicket, glorious placement
  61.3 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flighted up very full outside off
        stump, eased away firmly just backward of point
  61.4 Vettori to Ponting, two runs, dear oh dear oh dear! Vettori
        absolutely does Ponting in the flight, he came down towards it,
        but it was a bit too wide, drives and drags an inside edge
        perilously close to his leg stump and gets away with it
  61.5 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flighted up well outside off stump,
        more judiciously elects to shoulder arms through to Parore this
        time
  61.6 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flatter, quicker ball honing in on off
        stump, solidly defends back on the off side

End of over 62 (6 runs) Australia 278/5
DL Vettori 17-3-60-3 - Church Street End
AC Gilchrist 4* (8b 1x4) RT Ponting 30* (46b 4x4)

  62.1 Bond to Gilchrist, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, hangs
        the bat well back out of the way to leave through to the keeper
  62.2 Bond to Gilchrist, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, again
        elects to leave alone through to the keeper
  62.3 Bond to Gilchrist, no run, good shortish lifting ball just outside
        off stump, Gilchrist hops on the crease to firmly stroke it down
        into the covers
  62.4 Bond to Gilchrist, (noball) no run, oversteps, leaves a full ball
        outside off stump through to Parore once more
  62.4 Bond to Gilchrist, one run, short lifting ball just outside off
        stump, smartly steers it down into a gap in the covers, working it
        well for a single with the stroke
  62.5 Bond to Ponting, no run, shortish straight ball on off stump, jumps
        on the crease to defend straight back down the pitch
  62.6 Bond to Ponting, no run, short ball outside off stump, shoulders
        arms outside off stump, through to the keeper

End of over 63 (2 runs) Australia 280/5
SE Bond 16-0-67-1 (1w 5nb) - River End
AC Gilchrist 5* (13b 1x4) RT Ponting 30* (48b 4x4)

  63.1 Vettori to Gilchrist, no run, flighted up just outside off stump,
        leans well forward, defending watchfully back on the leg side of
        the pitch
  63.2 Vettori to Gilchrist, no run, nice tight ball just outside off
        stump, Gilchrist is watchfully forward, defending straight back
        down the pitch
  63.3 Vettori to Gilchrist, FOUR, overtossed outside off stump, flighted
        a bit much and Gilchrist takes full toss, smashing it through the
        covers, picking the gap perfectly
  63.4 Vettori to Gilchrist, no run, flatter ball turning into the body,
        whipped off the hip but straight to the man under the helmet on
        the bounce
  63.5 Vettori to Gilchrist, no run, similarly flat ball, but this time a
        lot straighter and less turn, shuffles back, defends back down the
        pitch to Vettori
  63.6 Vettori to Gilchrist, no run, angling on leg stump, worked away
        towards midwicket off the legs

End of over 64 (4 runs) Australia 284/5
DL Vettori 18-3-64-3 - Church Street End
RT Ponting 30* (48b 4x4) AC Gilchrist 9* (19b 2x4)

       Daryl Tuffey returns, replacing Bond after a fiery spell from the
        River End
  64.1 Tuffey to Ponting, no run, full and straight just outside off
        stump, firmly drives into the deck, back to Tuffey who grabs well
        on his follow through, Ponting has to hastily get back into his
        crease as he was drawn well forward into it
  64.2 Tuffey to Ponting, two runs, overpitched outside off stump,
        strongly driven straight back down the ground, just past Tuffey on
        his follow through, a bit sloppy, concedes two runs as mid off
        gives chase
  64.3 Tuffey to Ponting, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, uppishly
        drives into the covers, safely keeps it down well short of the
        fielder
  64.4 Tuffey to Ponting, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
        stroked along the ground straight to cover
  64.5 Tuffey to Ponting, two runs, full and well down the leg side,
        nicely picked off through backward square leg, Bond around from
        long leg to field in the deep
  64.6 Tuffey to Ponting, no run, fullish ball well outside off stump and
        moving a touch away, shoulders arms to leave it through to the
        keeper

End of over 65 (4 runs) Australia 288/5
DR Tuffey 9-0-45-0 (3nb) - River End
AC Gilchrist 9* (19b 2x4) RT Ponting 34* (54b 4x4)

       Remember, as always, with our coverage of Test cricket on CricInfo
        that detailed information of the day's happenings can be found in
        our live report at:
        http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/NEW/LIVE/frames/NZ_AUS_T2
        _22-26NOV2001.mr.html
  65.1 Vettori to Gilchrist, no run, flat ball turning in on off stump,
        shuffles well in behind it, defends from the crease up towards mid
        on
  65.2 Vettori to Gilchrist, SIX, shot! flighted up well and Gilchrist
        takes up the invitation, really getting on to it, lofting
        powerfully over long on, umpire Bucknor checks with the third
        umpire, and yes, it did land clear of the rope comfortably
  65.3 Vettori to Gilchrist, one run, shortish ball turning in from
        outside off stump, punches it down the ground on the leg side for
        an easy single
  65.4 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flighted up nicely just outside off
        stump, tapped away towards point in defence
  65.5 Vettori to Ponting, one run, shuffles right back to a flatter,
        straight ball drifting into the pads, worked away towards square
        leg, easy single taken as midwicket's across to field
  65.6 Vettori to Gilchrist, FOUR, shot! all aboard the Gilchrist Express,
        he's in that same old mood again, come rain or shine, he's Mr
        Dependable - this time a flat ball is pulled away through
        midwicket, effortless

End of over 66 (12 runs) Australia 300/5
DL Vettori 19-3-76-3 - Church Street End
RT Ponting 35* (56b 4x4) AC Gilchrist 20* (23b 3x4 1x6)

  66.1 Tuffey to Ponting, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        shoulders arms, leaving it well alone through to the keeper as it
        moves further away
  66.2 Tuffey to Ponting, one run, straight ball, nudged up towards widish
        mid on, playing it well for a quick single with the shot as he
        plays it wide of the fielder
  66.3 Tuffey to Gilchrist, no run, leaves alone a slightly slower ball
        outside off stump, dies on its way through to the keeper
  66.4 Tuffey to Gilchrist, no run, rather full and straight, Gilchrist
        drives, straight up to mid on
  66.5 Tuffey to Gilchrist, no run, short outside off stump, lucky not to
        be punished on this occasion too, Gilchrist cut it straight to the
        diving point man set reasonably deep
  66.6 Tuffey to Gilchrist, (noball) no run, oh my word, that could be a
        killer for New Zealand, the ultimate prize at the end of the top
        order batting line-up was inches away - Tuffey draws a nick from a
        short rising ball outside off stump leaving the left-hander, to a
        diving Parore who takes
       a great catch ... but his front foot was just a fraction over the
        popping crease, a cardinal sin, what a let off
  66.6 Tuffey to Gilchrist, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, left
        alone through to the keeper

End of over 67 (2 runs) Australia 302/5
DR Tuffey 10-0-47-0 (4nb) - River End
RT Ponting 36* (58b 4x4) AC Gilchrist 20* (28b 3x4 1x6)

  67.1 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flighted up full and straight on off
        stump, defends back on the off side of the pitch
  67.2 Vettori to Ponting, no run, similar again, this time drives down
        towards mid on using his feet well
  67.3 Vettori to Ponting, no run, watchfully jabs forward in defence to a
        nicely flighted ball on off stump, defends down in close with
        bat/pad
  67.4 Vettori to Ponting, FOUR, flighted up, Ponting comes down to it,
        not quite all the way there, but he compensates with great
        strokeplay, launching it straight back over his head, a couple of
        bounces and away it goes
  67.5 Vettori to Ponting, no run, well forward, driving into the covers,
        can't quite reach it as there was extra width from a similar
        delivery
  67.6 Vettori to Ponting, no run, the arm ball outside off stump, Ponting
        forces it off the back foot into the covers

End of over 68 (4 runs) Australia 306/5
DL Vettori 20-3-80-3 - Church Street End
AC Gilchrist 20* (28b 3x4 1x6) RT Ponting 40* (64b 5x4)

  68.1 Tuffey to Gilchrist, no run, props forward in defence to a straight
        ball, tucking bat and pad together, played straight back to the
        bowler
  68.2 Tuffey to Gilchrist, no run, full and straight, driven off the legs
        straight up to mid on
  68.3 Tuffey to Gilchrist, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump, left
        well alone through to the keeper as it moves away further
  68.4 Tuffey to Gilchrist, two runs, shortish straight ball, into the
        body and well tucked away to vacant midwicket
  68.5 Tuffey to Gilchrist, FOUR, fine shot, tight ball on off stump,
        Gilchrist cuts strongly through backward point, finds a narrow gap
        and exploits it to the hilt
  68.6 Tuffey to Gilchrist, wide: no run, full and rather wide outside off
        stump, left well alone and just cuts the return crease through to
        the keeper, that's a wide
  68.6 Tuffey to Gilchrist, FOUR, overpitched outside off stump, carved
        away through the covers with the full extension of the body and
        bat, evades a despairing dive from the cover fielder

End of over 69 (11 runs) Australia 317/5
DR Tuffey 11-0-58-0 (1w 4nb) - River End
RT Ponting 40* (64b 5x4) AC Gilchrist 30* (34b 5x4 1x6)

  69.1 Vettori to Ponting, one run, flat ball turning a little away
        outside off stump, forced off the back foot up the ground just
        wide of mid off
  69.2 Vettori to Gilchrist, no run, flat ball turning in on off stump,
        Gilchrist is back and defending quietly back to the bowler
  69.3 Vettori to Gilchrist, FOUR, scorcher! flighted up on off stump,
        Gilchrist winds up the rotor blades and lets rip, cracking pull
        from the crease through to the vacant midwicket boundary
       and immediately forces the New Zealand captain to spread the field
        a bit further
  69.4 Vettori to Gilchrist, no run, flatter ball turning in on off stump,
        defends back on the off side of the pitch
  69.5 Vettori to Gilchrist, no run, Vettori knew he was coming this time,
        dropping it in shorter and quicker as Gilchrist advanced, forced
        to readjust and defend away to midwicket
  69.6 Vettori to Gilchrist, no run, flatter ball turning on leg stump,
        whipped away off the legs straight to midwicket again

End of over 70 (5 runs) Australia 322/5
DL Vettori 21-3-85-3 - Church Street End
RT Ponting 41* (65b 5x4) AC Gilchrist 34* (39b 6x4 1x6)

       Craig McMillan into the attack, replacing Tuffey at the River End
       another keen little contest should ensue, particularly with just 10
        overs to go until the new ball is due
  70.1 McMillan to Ponting, no run, fairly slow, full ball wide outside
        off stump, Ponting has nothing to do with it, left alone through
        to Parore who gloves on the bounce
  70.2 McMillan to Ponting, no run, short lifting ball just outside off
        stump, forced off the back foot straight to extra cover
  70.3 McMillan to Ponting, no run, full and straight, Ponting is forward,
        stroking it straight up towards mid on
  70.4 McMillan to Ponting, no run, shortish straight ball on off stump,
        squared around a little as he gets to it to defend back to
        McMillan
       still no sign of any bumpers from Macca, a bit of a tease this over
        so far!
  70.5 McMillan to Ponting, no run, and again, still putting it up there,
        Ponting forces towards point off the back foot
  70.6 McMillan to Ponting, FOUR, and neither the last ball, but it isn't
        too far from bringing him some success, Ponting driving but never
        to the pitch of the ball, gets a thick outside edge which flies
        through the vacant third slip position, down to the empty third
        man boundary

End of over 71 (4 runs) Australia 326/5
CD McMillan 5-0-29-0 (1nb) - River End
AC Gilchrist 34* (39b 6x4 1x6) RT Ponting 45* (71b 6x4)

       time for the last drinks break of the day, the camels better store
        some away as we're doing a bit of overtime tonight - still 19
        overs to bowl

Match State: Drinks

  71.1 Vettori to Gilchrist, no run, nicely flighted just outside off
        stump, turns in to the lefty, defends from the crease into the
        covers
  71.2 Vettori to Gilchrist, no run, similar again, then comes well inside
        it, forced back down the pitch to the bowler
  71.3 Vettori to Gilchrist, one run, dances down the wicket, well driven
        straight down the ground to the long on fielder
  71.4 Vettori to Ponting, no run, well flighted on off stump, Ponting
        leaves it late before driving firmly back on the off side of the
        pitch, Vettori quickly across to chase it down himself
  71.5 Vettori to Ponting, no run, nicely flighted on off stump again,
        Ponting watchfully defends from the crease, playing away towards
        point
  71.6 Vettori to Ponting, FOUR, beautiful, sparkling on drive from the
        home boy, using the feet to a ball flighted on his legs, clips it
        away with power and timing, and finding the gap, marvellous stuff
        to watch

End of over 72 (5 runs) Australia 331/5
DL Vettori 22-3-90-3 - Church Street End
AC Gilchrist 35* (42b 6x4 1x6) RT Ponting 49* (74b 7x4)

  72.1 McMillan to Gilchrist, no run, short lifting ball just outside off
        stump, forced from the crease straight down into the covers
  72.2 McMillan to Gilchrist, FOUR, shortish ball on off stump, Gilchrist
        launches into a big pull, powerfully struck low in the air,
        through the hands of Richardson diving to his right at midwicket,
        a tough chance, but you have to take those when this bloke is
        batting, so well hit it
       still rattled into the boundary fence
  72.3 McMillan to Gilchrist, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        left well alone through to the keeper
  72.4 McMillan to Gilchrist, no run, quicker and much wider outside off
        stump, a rare naughty shot from Gilchrist, really reaching for it,
        slashing and missing
  72.5 McMillan to Gilchrist, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        moves away slightly through to Parore as it's left alone
  72.6 McMillan to Gilchrist, no run, and similar again, a little
        straighter but no more threatening than the last

End of over 73 (4 runs) Australia 335/5
CD McMillan 6-0-33-0 (1nb) - River End
RT Ponting 49* (74b 7x4) AC Gilchrist 39* (48b 7x4 1x6)

  73.1 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flighted up full on off stump, driven
        strongly along the ground straight up to mid on
  73.2 Vettori to Ponting, one run, goes right back to a shorter ball on
        off stump, whips it around the corner through backward square leg,
        easy single taken and that's a well compiled 50 for Ponting, off
        76 balls, 7x4, and breaks a bit of a hoodoo after making a pair in
        his last Test he
       at Bellerive Oval
  73.3 Vettori to Gilchrist, no run, flatter ball turning in, worked off
        the hip straight to midwicket
  73.4 Vettori to Gilchrist, OUT: brilliant bowling! a key wicket for New
        Zealand, Gilchrist comes down the track maybe once too often,
        Vettori gives it lots of air just outside off stump, not to the
        pitch of it and it turns back a mile, cleans up the sticks

       Australia 336/6, Partnership of 69
       AC Gilchrist  b Vettori  39 (50b 7x4 1x6)
       RT Ponting 50* (76b 7x4) DL Vettori 22.4-3-91-4

       Australia still with the upper hand, but New Zealand must be
        heartened by their recovery here - if they keep Australia to under
        400, they have at least a chance to gain some parity if they bat
        well
       Shane Warne the new batsman
  73.5 Vettori to Warne, no run, nice juicy low full toss first up, but
        Warne is tentative, just firmly pushing it to extra cover
  73.6 Vettori to Warne, no run, nice loop on a ball on off stump, Warne
        is watchfully forward, defending with bat/pad well together

End of over 74 (1 run) Australia 336/6
DL Vettori 23-3-91-4 - Church Street End
RT Ponting 50* (76b 7x4) SK Warne 0* (2b)

  74.1 McMillan to Ponting, two runs, lovely shot, McMillan drifts into
        Ponting's legs, you don't bowl there to this guy, neatly clipped
        through midwicket, not a lot of oomph behind it though, so just
        time for a couple
  74.2 McMillan to Ponting, no run, good tight ball on off stump, Ponting
        is cramped up but cuts well, good fielding by Sinclair diving
        across at point
  74.3 McMillan to Ponting, no run, similar again, this time steers it
        straight to Sinclair backward of square
  74.4 McMillan to Ponting, no run, full and straight, stroked along the
        ground straight up to mid on
  74.5 McMillan to Ponting, FOUR, poor bowling, strays into the legs
        again, picked off with effortless ease, through wide midwicket and
        away to the boundary, all timing
  74.6 McMillan to Ponting, no run, better line outside off stump, similar
        length and Ponting ever-so-crisply drives, but straight up to mid
        off this time

End of over 75 (6 runs) Australia 342/6
CD McMillan 7-0-39-0 (1nb) - River End
SK Warne 0* (2b) RT Ponting 56* (82b 8x4)

  75.1 Vettori to Warne, no run, nicely flighted on a shorter length,
        Warne watchfully defends down in close on the leg side
  75.2 Vettori to Warne, no run, prods forward, defending a flighted ball
        just outside off stump, down in close on the off side
  75.3 Vettori to Warne, no run, flatter ball just outside off stump, cuts
        firmly straight to backward point
  75.4 Vettori to Warne, no run, excellent arm ball, strikes Warne flush
        on the pad low down just outside the line, rebounds away towards
        point, looking for a single but wisely stay at home
  75.5 Vettori to Warne, no run, forward, quietly defends a full, flighted
        ball into the covers
  75.6 Vettori to Warne, no run, flighted just outside off stump, forward,
        defends back down the pitch on the leg side

End of over 76 (maiden) Australia 342/6
DL Vettori 24-4-91-4 - Church Street End
RT Ponting 56* (82b 8x4) SK Warne 0* (8b)

       good over from Vettori, keeping Warne quiet, but it's probably just
        the calm before the storm, Warne doesn't mind going after it
  76.1 McMillan to Ponting, FOUR, shot, cracking blow, stand and delivery
        from Ponting, half volley outside off stump, absolutely hammered
        straight back down the ground, past the outstretched left boot of
        McMillan, didn't move an inch after striking it
  76.2 McMillan to Ponting, FOUR, McMillan undoing some good Kiwi work
        with some horrid bowling, overpitched on the legs, with a weak leg
        side field, and it's bread and butter for Ponting to dispatch to
        the vacant midwicket fence
  76.3 McMillan to Ponting, FOUR, three in a row, McMillan being taken to
        the cleaners, shortish ball just outside off stump, leans into a
        fine cut shot, steered through the gap down to the vacant third
        man boundary
       now a long conversation ensues between Fleming and his wayward
        bowler, discussing field placements
  76.4 McMillan to Ponting, no run, McMillan gets it right this time, with
        an extremely one-day looking field now set, good length just
        outside off stump, Ponting respectfully defends to short cover
  76.5 McMillan to Ponting, no run, lets it slip a bit wider outside off
        stump, Ponting shapes to cut but elects to leave it alone in the
        end, loose ball
  76.6 McMillan to Ponting, no run, fuller and still pretty wide outside
        off stump, leaves alone through to Parore again

End of over 77 (12 runs) Australia 354/6
CD McMillan 8-0-51-0 (1nb) - River End
SK Warne 0* (8b) RT Ponting 68* (88b 11x4)

  77.1 Vettori to Warne, no run, probes forward at a well flighted ball
        just outside off stump, tapping it quietly away towards point
  77.2 Vettori to Warne, no run, flighted up on off stump, Warne stretches
        well forward to defend with bat/pad in close on the off side again
  77.3 Vettori to Warne, no run, good flighted ball going straighter on
        into Warne's front pad thrust well forward, thuds dead in close on
        the off side
  77.4 Vettori to Warne, FOUR, Vettori tries the arm ball outside off
        stump, Warne cuts and gets it away, in the air but safe, down to
        the vacant third man boundary
  77.5 Vettori to Warne, two runs, well played by Warne, flatter ball
        turning away outside off stump, chops down on it very late,
        cutting through the same gap, chased down by the point fielder
  77.6 Vettori to Warne, no run, floated up invitingly outside off stump,
        Warne pokes at it, scooping it safely low in the air, bouncing
        well short of mid off

End of over 78 (6 runs) Australia 360/6
DL Vettori 25-4-97-4 - Church Street End
RT Ponting 68* (88b 11x4) SK Warne 6* (14b 1x4)

       two overs now until the new ball is due, things not quite going how
        Fleming planned it, with his fill-in bowler being taken apart all
        around the ground in the lead-up to the taking of the new cherry -
        which is sure to happen despite Vettori's fine spell
       it means he has to bring back Chris Cairns an over early, leading
        in to taking the new ball
  78.1 Cairns to Ponting, one run, short lifting straight ball, tucked off
        the hip through square leg, Warne looks for a second but is
        promptly sent back by his partner, wise call as deep backward
        square leg was very quickly in to field
  78.2 Cairns to Warne, no run, full and straight on off stump, driven up
        towards widish mid on
  78.3 Cairns to Warne, no run, straight ball on off stump, firmly driven
        straight up to mid off
  78.4 Cairns to Warne, FOUR, shot! drops it in too short and wide outside
        off stump, clattered away through backward point, good clean blow
        from the lower order man
  78.5 Cairns to Warne, no run, much better ball, dead straight and has
        Warne squaring right around behind it, defends up towards wide mid
        on
  78.6 Cairns to Warne, no run, shortish straight ball, defends firmly up
        towards mid on again

End of over 79 (5 runs) Australia 365/6
CL Cairns 19-2-86-1 (3nb) - River End
RT Ponting 69* (89b 11x4) SK Warne 10* (19b 2x4)

  79.1 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flighted up on off stump, leans well
        forward, defends down in close on the off side
  79.2 Vettori to Ponting, no run, dances down the pitch, clipped firmly
        along the ground to midwicket
  79.3 Vettori to Ponting, one run, similar again, driven straight up to
        wide mid on, this time able to work it for the single
  79.4 Vettori to Warne, no run, the arm ball from Vettori, pitches middle
        and straightens, taken low down on the front pad, loud shout for
        lbw by Vettori, but he's very much alone in it
  79.5 Vettori to Warne, one run, flighted up outside off stump, driving
        firmly into the covers
  79.6 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flighted up nicely on off stump,
        watchfully defends from the crease, dropping it away just behind
        square on the leg side

End of over 80 (2 runs) Australia 367/6
DL Vettori 26-4-99-4 - Church Street End
SK Warne 11* (21b 2x4) RT Ponting 70* (93b 11x4)

       umpire Davis grabs the new ball out from the storage hole in the
        ground, New Zealand happily taking it immediately as it becomes
        available
  80.1 Cairns to Warne, no run, good first up ball, seams sharply back in
        to the top of the pad, drops down in close on the leg side
  80.2 Cairns to Warne, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, cuts back
        a little late, Warne drives and misses from the crease, a bit of a
        nothing shot
  80.3 Cairns to Warne, no run, props forward in defence with bat/pad,
        drops it straight back down the pitch
  80.4 Cairns to Warne, FOUR, shot! short outside off stump, plays a
        slashing square cut in the air forward of point
  80.5 Cairns to Warne, one run, pitches on the legs this time, easily
        clipped out to the man at deep backward square leg
  80.6 Cairns to Ponting, no run, tight ball on off stump, leans well
        forward, easing it away to point in defence

End of over 81 (5 runs) Australia 372/6
CL Cairns 20-2-91-1 (3nb) - River End
SK Warne 16* (26b 3x4) RT Ponting 70* (94b 11x4)

       Shane Bond gets usage of the new ball from the Church Street End,
        replacing Vettori after a lengthy stint
  81.1 Bond to Warne, no run, good first up short pitched delivery, Warne
        looks to hook but bails out very late, at head height on off stump
  81.2 Bond to Warne, no run, dramatic movement back in off the seam,
        Warne is well tucked up, chops it down into the deck, not far from
        the stumps, gets away with it
  81.3 Bond to Warne, FOUR, and Bond goes back to his earlier failing -
        bowling a bad ball straight after having the batsman in knots -
        short outside off stump, sits up and Warne cuts it through cover
        point
  81.4 Bond to Warne, (noball) three runs, and worse is to come,
        oversteps, and digs it in short, Warne hooks through midwicket,
        rolls and stops in the deep, have to run three
  81.4 Bond to Ponting, no run, Bond now gets Ponting in a bit of a
        tangle, cutting back sharply off the seam, Ponting looked to pull
        but ends up taking it on the body, drops at his feet
  81.5 Bond to Ponting, no run, much fuller outside off stump, seams back
        sharply late, Ponting thrusts the front pad well forward at it,
        raising the arms well clear to leave it to the keeper
  81.6 Bond to Ponting, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
        drives straight to McMillan hovering in the covers

End of over 82 (8 runs) Australia 380/6
SE Bond 17-0-75-1 (1w 6nb) - Church Street End
SK Warne 23* (30b 4x4) RT Ponting 70* (97b 11x4)

  82.1 Cairns to Warne, no run, good straight ball just outside off stump,
        Warne plays all over it, nipping back and just bounces up and over
        off stump through to Parore
  82.2 Cairns to Warne, no run, another good'un, shortish outside off
        stump, just leaves the fishing outside edge of Warne's bat,
        through to Parore
  82.3 Cairns to Warne, no run, good tight straight ball on off stump,
        defends up towards mid on
  82.4 Cairns to Warne, one run, a little too straight this time, whipped
        off the legs just backward of square leg for an easy run, Parore
        has to give chase
  82.5 Cairns to Ponting, FOUR, too short outside off stump, Ponting plays
        a classic back foot cover drive, Cairns guilty of straying again
  82.6 Cairns to Ponting, no run, shortish straight ball, defends from the
        crease down in close on the leg side

End of over 83 (5 runs) Australia 385/6
CL Cairns 21-2-96-1 (3nb) - River End
SK Warne 24* (34b 4x4) RT Ponting 74* (99b 12x4)

  83.1 Bond to Warne, no run, good tight straight ball on off stump,
        defends from the crease, pushing it straight back down the pitch
        to Bond
  83.2 Bond to Warne, no run, shorter, wider ball outside off stump, Warne
        has a flash at it with no footwork, doesn't really get near it
  83.3 Bond to Warne, one run, short rising ball seaming back in to Warne,
        pulled strongly in the air just forward of point, bounces well
        short of Tuffey roaming around there in the deep
  83.4 Bond to Ponting, one run, good quick short lifting straight ball,
        Ponting is hurried up a bit, letting out a big groan as he just
        manages to drag a pull out to deep backward square leg
  83.5 Bond to Warne, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, Warne cuts,
        bounces just short of Bell at point, a rather uncertain stroke
  83.6 Bond to Warne, (noball) no run, oversteps, leaves alone a short
        ball outside off stump to the keeper
  83.6 Bond to Warne, no run, shortish lifting straight ball, cuts back in
        off the seam, defends down on the leg side of the pitch

End of over 84 (3 runs) Australia 388/6
SE Bond 18-0-78-1 (1w 7nb) - Church Street End
RT Ponting 75* (100b 12x4) SK Warne 25* (40b 4x4)

  84.1 Cairns to Ponting, no run, pushing forward in defence to a fullish
        ball just outside off stump, drops it down in close on the off
        side
  84.2 Cairns to Ponting, no run, shorter, rising ball just outside off
        stump, Ponting stands tall to play it down towards point
  84.3 Cairns to Ponting, no run, well forward outside off stump, raises
        the arms well clear to leave one passing straight through
  84.4 Cairns to Ponting, no run, drawn forward by a straight ball on off
        stump, watchfully works it up towards mid on
  84.5 Cairns to Ponting, no run, fuller outside off stump, no stroke
        required again, left to Parore
  84.6 Cairns to Ponting, one run, full on the legs, clipped away along
        the ground out to deep backward square leg

End of over 85 (1 run) Australia 389/6
CL Cairns 22-2-97-1 (3nb) - River End
RT Ponting 76* (106b 12x4) SK Warne 25* (40b 4x4)

       a little delay as the state of the ball is being investigated by
        the umpires
       a new box of balls is coming on to the field, so there must be a
        real fault with the new one
       we're now into overtime, the clock strikes six and we're still
        mulling over the ball change, so it's going to be at least another
        20 minutes until stumps now
  85.1 Bond to Ponting, FOUR, play resumes, and it's more of the same,
        short lifting ball outside off stump, Ponting opens the face to
        steer it strongly through the gap between the slips and gully, to
        the vacant third man boundary
  85.2 Bond to Ponting, FOUR, and another! cracking hook, Ponting drags it
        away through backward square leg, not quite the right line and
        length
  85.3 Bond to Ponting, no run, quicker ball swinging in, cannons into the
        front pad with Ponting on the move, shout for lbw is brief from
        Bond, as it rebounds away towards point
  85.4 Bond to Ponting, no run, full and swinging away down the leg side,
        Ponting can't get a touch to help it on its way, through to Parore
  85.5 Bond to Ponting, no run, shorter, and swinging down the leg side
        again, closer to the body but Ponting still can't get on to it,
        through to Parore
  85.6 Bond to Ponting, one run, defined late swing back in, well clipped
        away through to deep square leg to retain the strike for the next
        over

End of over 86 (9 runs) Australia 398/6
SE Bond 19-0-87-1 (1w 7nb) - Church Street End
RT Ponting 85* (112b 14x4) SK Warne 25* (40b 4x4)

       Ponting doing a fine Gilchristesque job here of shepherding the
        able tail, Warne putting in another strong hand, adding to New
        Zealand's pain, after some relief with the quick fall of wickets
        earlier
  86.1 Cairns to Ponting, no run, good sharp short rising ball just
        outside off stump, a bit too nasty for Ponting, fends it down in
        close on the off side
  86.2 Cairns to Ponting, two runs, poor ball, full on the legs, glides it
        away very fine, picked up just inside the rope, but enough for two
        runs to bring up 400 runs for Australia in the day's play, great
        going
  86.3 Cairns to Ponting, no run, the slower ball, Ponting fails to read
        it, swivelling on the crease in preparation to pull, ends up
        copping a deflecting off the body, through to the keeper
  86.4 Cairns to Ponting, three runs, poor ball, short and wide outside
        off stump, sits up and Ponting expertly uppercuts well over
        backward point, just stopped by McMillan kicking it back inside
        the rope to the backup fielder tailing him
  86.5 Cairns to Warne, no run, good straight ball on off stump, squares
        Warne around, defending down into the covers
  86.6 Cairns to Warne, no run, leaves a fair length ball well alone
        outside off stump

End of over 87 (5 runs) Australia 403/6
CL Cairns 23-2-102-1 (3nb) - River End
RT Ponting 90* (116b 14x4) SK Warne 25* (42b 4x4)

  87.1 Bond to Ponting, no run, good sharp short lifting ball just outside
        off stump, Ponting only just gets over the top of it, chopping it
        to point, nowhere near enough room to cut that one
  87.2 Bond to Ponting, no run, back of a length ball swing back in from
        outside off stump, defends back down the pitch from the crease
  87.3 Bond to Ponting, one run, hops on the crease, tucks one off the hip
        as it seams back into the body, away to deep backward square leg
       Ponting matches Hayden's 91, can he go one step further and match
        Langer with a century?
  87.4 Bond to Warne, FOUR, short lifting straight ball, well picked off
        by Warne, stands on one leg and swats it away down through
        backward square leg, two men in the deep but bisects them to
        perfection
  87.5 Bond to Warne, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump, cuts
        it straight down into the gully
  87.6 Bond to Warne, one run, short rising ball, Warne compulsively goes
        for it, but he's lucky this time, doesn't get hold of it, loops it
        away to square leg, well short of Tuffey in the deep, Bond just
        looks on in frustration again

End of over 88 (6 runs) Australia 409/6
SE Bond 20-0-93-1 (1w 7nb) - Church Street End
SK Warne 30* (45b 5x4) RT Ponting 91* (119b 14x4)

       Mr Warne has a habit of doing that to front line bowlers!
  88.1 Cairns to Warne, no run, shortish straight ball, Warne looks to
        pull once more, but plays too early, it was held back a little,
        comes off the toe of the bat and drops back down the pitch
  88.2 Cairns to Warne, no run, pokes half forward from the crease at a
        fullish ball outside off stump, drops it down in close on the off
        side
  88.3 Cairns to Warne, no run, there's a rare bouncer, Warne thinks
        better of it this time with two men back, shaping to hook but
        withdraws the shot late
  88.4 Cairns to Warne, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
        defends down in close on the off side of the pitch playing from
        the crease
  88.5 Cairns to Warne, no run, good ball, dead straight and has Warne
        really squared around, pings off the face towards point
  88.6 Cairns to Warne, no run, short ball angling down the leg side, left
        well alone through to Parore

End of over 89 (maiden) Australia 409/6
CL Cairns 24-3-102-1 (3nb) - River End
RT Ponting 91* (119b 14x4) SK Warne 30* (51b 5x4)

       just one over remaining to be bowled today, and if this pair can
        stay intact, it will confirm an overall great day for Australia
        with a great finish
  89.1 Bond to Ponting, one run, shortish ball cutting back slightly, hops
        across the crease to work it off the hip out to deep square leg
  89.2 Bond to Warne, no run, very good ball on a back of a length just
        outside off stump, has a nibble but is well beaten through to the
        keeper
  89.3 Bond to Warne, no run, drops it in rather short and straight, Warne
        ducks underneath it, happy to settle for this tonight and live to
        fight another day
  89.4 Bond to Warne, no run, shortish ball on off stump, defends from the
        crease, dropping it down into the covers
  89.5 Bond to Warne, one run, dramatic late inswing, nearly a yorker but
        Warne does very well to whip it out to deep midwicket and avoid
        facing the final ball of the day
       last ball of the day coming up
  89.6 Bond to Ponting, no run, Ponting has no trouble negotiating it,
        hopping right across and in behind it, defending solidly back on
        the leg side of the wicket

End of over 90 (2 runs) Australia 411/6
SE Bond 21-0-95-1 (1w 7nb) - Church Street End
SK Warne 31* (55b 5x4) RT Ponting 92* (121b 14x4)

       and that is stumps on the opening day, Australia certainly winning
        the points decision through an amazing run rate, held consistently
        all the way through their innings - 4.56 at the end of the day,
        the opening partnership and rearguard action - it's
       almost become a customary occurrence - particularly in this series
        so far, as has the middle order collapse, but when a team doesn't
        have a genuine tail to really speak of, that is cancelled out a
        little
       a 223-run opening stand had the writing on the wall for New Zealand
        again, scored at an even quicker rate than Brisbane, but two
        quick, relatively gifted wickets of both batsmen saw the start of
        New Zealand's fightback
       Vettori transformed from a struggle against the left-handed opening
        duo in the morning session to beguiler with control for large
        parts of the last two sessions and was rewarded duly - bowling
        Mark Waugh and Gilchrist will no doubt have given him the
       most satisfaction
       Bond bowled with spirit, if not consistency, and earned Steve
        Waugh's wicket fairly, even though the decision was proved
        questionable by slow motion replays well after the event
       however, the bowling effort overall was very disappointing - when
        bowling short, was not bowling short enough, and too often
        straying down the leg side (a problem helped by having two left-
        handers out in the middle for a long time as the Kiwis failed to
       adjust appropriately)
       the Australians capitalised in grand style, and at the end of the
        day they can be happy they have the foundation of a match-winning
        total if they push on tomorrow
       play will begin at the usual time of 11am local time (0000 GMT)
        tomorrow, but that's all from us tonight, please joins us then on
        baggygreen.com.au
       any comments about today's coverage can be sent to
        comms@cricinfo.com - we appreciate all feedback received

Match State: Stumps - Day 1

       welcome to the second day's coverage of the 2nd Orange Test between
        Australia and New Zealand at Bellerive Oval in Hobart here on
        baggygreen.com.au
       it's been an overcast morning in Hobart, a brief patch of drizzle
        half an hour ago, but it's cleared up now and we're going to start
        on time, as the sun peeks through some darkish clouds
       it'll be Chris Cairns to continue at the River End from last
        evening, bowling to Shane Warne, with Ricky Ponting at the non-
        striker's end, sitting 8 runs short of his first Test century on
        his home ground
  90.1 Cairns to Warne, FOUR, a good start for the home side, a
        continuation from yesterday, half volley on the legs and Warne
        neatly clips it through backward square leg with good timing
  90.2 Cairns to Warne, no run, better ball, not as full, just outside off
        stump, defends from the crease down into the covers
  90.3 Cairns to Warne, one run, another poor ball, angling on leg stump,
        turned straight down to fine leg
  90.4 Cairns to Ponting, no run, widish ball outside off stump, Ponting
        shuffles right across towards it before shouldering arms, through
        to the keeper
  90.5 Cairns to Ponting, two runs, and another poor ball, full on
        Ponting's legs, easily whipped away through midwicket, deep
        backward square leg around to field in the deep
  90.6 Cairns to Ponting, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, drawn
        well forward to it, pushes it square, straight to point

End of over 91 (7 runs) Australia 418/6
CL Cairns 25-3-109-1 (3nb) - River End
SK Warne 36* (58b 6x4) RT Ponting 94* (124b 14x4)

       it'll be Shane Bond to continue from last night at the Church
        Street End
  91.1 Bond to Warne, no run, loosener, wide outside off stump, left well
        alone through to the keeper
  91.2 Bond to Warne, no run, good ball, fair length outside off stump,
        gets Warne on the drive but never to the pitch of it, beaten by a
        little late movement
  91.3 Bond to Warne, no run, shorter and wider outside off stump, Warne
        leaves well alone through to Parore
  91.4 Bond to Warne, one run, shortish straight ball just outside off
        stump, Warne hops on the crease, just managing to squirt it down
        in close on the leg side, drops well short of any fielders who are
        set deep on the leg side, so a quick single is on offer
  91.5 Bond to Ponting, one run, fuller ball outside off stump, pushes
        into the covers, excellent quick call by Ponting and they grab an
        easy quick single as he sprints through
  91.6 Bond to Warne, no run, good straight ball seaming back in, Warne
        has to watchfully defend from the crease, prodding it up towards
        mid off

End of over 92 (2 runs) Australia 420/6
SE Bond 22-0-97-1 (1w 7nb) - Church Street End
RT Ponting 95* (125b 14x4) SK Warne 37* (63b 6x4)

  92.1 Cairns to Ponting, one run, a bit too full and straight, strongly
        driven straight down the ground on the leg side, McMillan dives
        across to his left at mid on, parrying it away to the mid off
        fielder to cut off the boundary
  92.2 Cairns to Warne, no run, good tight ball on off stump, defends from
        the crease, dead batting it down into the off side
  92.3 Cairns to Warne, FOUR, poor short ball, sits up outside off stump,
        uppercuts strongly well over backward point
       Cairns not learning a lesson from yesterday on evidence of that -
        the short balls just aren't short enough
  92.4 Cairns to Warne, two runs, shortish ball just outside off stump,
        zipped up off the pitch at Warne, pings away off the face just
        backward of point, out to Bell roaming in the deep from deep point
        - placed back there after the previous delivery
  92.5 Cairns to Warne, no run, shortish straight ball, defends straight
        back down the pitch
  92.6 Cairns to Warne, no run, lovely ball on a good length in the right
        channel just outside off stump, nips away off the seam and has
        Warne beaten all ends up

End of over 93 (7 runs) Australia 427/6
CL Cairns 26-3-116-1 (3nb) - River End
RT Ponting 96* (126b 14x4) SK Warne 43* (68b 7x4)

  93.1 Bond to Ponting, no run, shortish lifting straight ball on off
        stump, defends straight back down the pitch to the bowler
  93.2 Bond to Ponting, no run, good sharp shortish ball seaming back
        sharply from outside off stump, has Ponting hopping across his
        crease, struck high on the leg, rebounds away to point
  93.3 Bond to Ponting, FOUR, short lifting ball just outside off stump,
        has Ponting spearing at it somewhat, but gets it away well through
        the gap between the slips and gully, there's no third man in, so
        that's Ponting's 9th Test century, and first at Hobart, off just
        129 balls
  93.4 Bond to Ponting, no run, shuffles right across his crease, getting
        right in behind a straight ball, driving straight up to McMillan
        at mid on
  93.5 Bond to Ponting, no run, similar again, this time squares right
        around to solidly defend down towards mid off
  93.6 Bond to Ponting, no run, fair length ball just outside off stump,
        shoulders arms to it, happy to let it through to Parore

End of over 94 (4 runs) Australia 431/6
SE Bond 23-0-101-1 (1w 7nb) - Church Street End
SK Warne 43* (68b 7x4) RT Ponting 100* (132b 15x4)

  94.1 Cairns to Warne, one run, full and straight on off stump, strongly
        clipped away towards wide mid on, McMillan slides across from
        straighter, doesn't field it cleanly and concedes a single as it
        gets away from him
  94.2 Cairns to Ponting, no run, shortish ball on off stump, defends
        firmly away square on the off side
  94.3 Cairns to Ponting, one run, short lifting ball well outside off
        stump, Ponting pulls well around the corner, dragging it out to
        deep square leg, not getting a lot of power behind it
  94.4 Cairns to Warne, no run, shuffles on the crease to a shortish ball
        outside off stump, raising the bat well clear to leave through to
        the keeper
  94.5 Cairns to Warne, no run, shortish lifting straight ball, Warne is
        hopping on the crease as it jags back into him, chops an inside
        edge *just* past his leg stump, a lucky escape
  94.6 Cairns to Warne, two runs, too short and Warne picks off another
        one, pulling aerially from outside off stump over midwicket,
        doesn't fully latch on to it, but comfortably enough to clear two
        infielders who must give chase

End of over 95 (4 runs) Australia 435/6
CL Cairns 27-3-120-1 (3nb) - River End
RT Ponting 101* (134b 15x4) SK Warne 46* (72b 7x4)

  95.1 Bond to Ponting, one run, props forward to a tight ball on off
        stump, nudging it away short of the cover field, good quick single
        taken with the stroke
       and that brings up a fine 100 partnership for the 7th wicket
        between this pair, certainly steering Australia well away from a
        potentially modest final total after being 223/0 at one stage
  95.2 Bond to Warne, no run, short ball outside off stump, shoulders
        arms, through to the keeper
  95.3 Bond to Warne, no run, swings a fuller ball in sharply, but too
        much, angling down the leg side, taken on the pad and drops down
        in close on the leg side
  95.4 Bond to Warne, no run, shortish ball on off stump, seams back in,
        gives himself a little room, defends down into the covers
  95.5 Bond to Warne, one run, shortish ball on off stump, tapped away
        short of the cover field, another good quick single nabbed
  95.6 Bond to Ponting, one run, short ball just outside off stump, seams
        dramatically back in, Ponting tucks it away well towards square
        leg

End of over 96 (3 runs) Australia 438/6
SE Bond 24-0-104-1 (1w 7nb) - Church Street End
RT Ponting 103* (136b 15x4) SK Warne 47* (76b 7x4)

  96.1 Cairns to Ponting, no run, slightly slower, short ball outside off
        stump, Ponting looks to pull, dragging it right across, but is
        through the stroke too soon, bottom edges into the turf in close
        on the leg side of the pitch
  96.2 Cairns to Ponting, no run, full and straight on off stump, strongly
        driven straight back down the pitch, Cairns does well to get a
        hand on it and prevent it going any further as mid on's across to
        back up
  96.3 Cairns to Ponting, no run, hops across the crease, defending a
        straight ball on off stump back down the pitch to the bowler
  96.4 Cairns to Ponting, two runs, full on the legs, clipped away firmly
        through midwicket, lovely Ponting stroke, no point at all bowling
        to him there
  96.5 Cairns to Ponting, no run, shortish lifting ball outside off stump,
        stands on one leg to try and cut, mistimes it straight to point
  96.6 Cairns to Ponting, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, left
        well alone through to Parore

End of over 97 (2 runs) Australia 440/6
CL Cairns 28-3-122-1 (3nb) - River End
SK Warne 47* (76b 7x4) RT Ponting 105* (142b 15x4)

  97.1 Bond to Warne, no run, shortish ball on off stump, defends from the
        crease, pushing it away towards cover point
  97.2 Bond to Warne, no run, digs it in very short, darts back towards
        the head, Warne does well to duck safely beneath it, Parore takes
        down the leg side
  97.3 Bond to Warne, one run, good length ball just outside off stump,
        draws the edge but Warne plays it down, falls well short between
        second and third slips, just sneaks through for a single
  97.4 Bond to Ponting, two runs, fullish ball drifting into the pads,
        clipped away strongly out to deep midwicket
  97.5 Bond to Ponting, FOUR, shot of the morning so far! half volley
        outside off stump, really goes after it and superbly drives
        through the covers
  97.6 Bond to Ponting, no run, short lifting ball just outside off stump,
        defends down towards point

End of over 98 (7 runs) Australia 447/6
SE Bond 25-0-111-1 (1w 7nb) - Church Street End
SK Warne 48* (79b 7x4) RT Ponting 111* (145b 16x4)

       Daryl Tuffey on to bowl at the River End, replacing a rather
        ineffective Cairns this morning
  98.1 Tuffey to Warne, no run, fullish ball drifting away outside off
        stump, leaves well alone through to Parore
  98.2 Tuffey to Warne, no run, shortish straight ball coming back a
        little late, defends down into the covers
  98.3 Tuffey to Warne, no run, similar again, this time defends away to
        Sinclair at backward point
  98.4 Tuffey to Warne, FOUR, short ball sits up outside off stump,
        powerfully cut up and over gully, to the vacant third man boundary
        and that brings up a well compiled half century, from 83 balls,
        8x4
  98.5 Tuffey to Warne, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, leaves
        alone through to the keeper
  98.6 Tuffey to Warne, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
        well tapped away towards cover point, quick single taken as
        Vettori flings it in to Parore next to the stumps, easily home

End of over 99 (5 runs) Australia 452/6
DR Tuffey 12-0-63-0 (1w 4nb) - River End
SK Warne 53* (85b 8x4) RT Ponting 111* (145b 16x4)

  99.1 Bond to Warne, no run, digs it in short, Warne ducks well
        underneath to let it go through to the keeper, not tempted
  99.2 Bond to Warne, no run, and another, that's Bond's two for the over,
        ducks well underneath to let it go
  99.3 Bond to Warne, no run, good back of a length ball just outside off
        stump, draws Warne into nibbling at it, can't get a touch on it
        through, straight through to the keeper
  99.4 Bond to Warne, no run, similar ball just outside off stump, Warne
        watchfully defends away into the covers
  99.5 Bond to Warne, FOUR, Bond undoes all his good work with an
        inswinger that drifts well down the leg side, picked off with ease
        through backward square leg
  99.6 Bond to Warne, no run, back on to a better line and length, just
        outside off stump and Warne respectfully defends down into the
        covers

End of over 100 (4 runs) Australia 456/6
SE Bond 26-0-115-1 (1w 7nb) - Church Street End
RT Ponting 111* (145b 16x4) SK Warne 57* (91b 9x4)

 100.1 Tuffey to Ponting, no run, short rising ball outside off stump,
        leaves well alone through to the keeper
 100.2 Tuffey to Ponting, no run, shortish ball angling on middle and leg,
        tries to whip it away, taken on the thigh pad and rebounds away to
        square leg
 100.3 Tuffey to Ponting, no run, shuffles across the crease to a shortish
        straight ball, defends away square on the leg side
 100.4 Tuffey to Ponting, no run, shortish ball angling just on leg stump,
        drops off the pad down in close on the leg side as he looked to
        turn it away
 100.5 Tuffey to Ponting, no run, stabs forward in defence to a good back
        of a length ball getting a bit of extra bounce, defends down into
        the front pad, and back down the pitch
 100.6 Tuffey to Ponting, no run, full and straight, pushed firmly
        straight up to mid on

End of over 101 (maiden) Australia 456/6
DR Tuffey 13-1-63-0 (1w 4nb) - River End
SK Warne 57* (91b 9x4) RT Ponting 111* (151b 16x4)

       Daniel Vettori on to bowl for the first time today, replacing Bond
        at the Church Street End
       a sign that the New Zealand pace bowlers haven't bowled well - the
        second new ball is 21 overs old and he's already looming as their
        key man again, having taken two-thirds of the wickets to fall so
        far on what is still a seam-bowler friendly pitch
 101.1 Vettori to Warne, legbye: one run, flighted up full on leg stump,
        glanced away off the pad just backward of square leg
 101.2 Vettori to Ponting, two runs, flatter ball outside off stump, cut
        hard down through backward point, does well to find the gap, Bell
        fields out in the deep
 101.3 Vettori to Ponting, no run, tighter ball on off stump, defends away
        square on the off side
 101.4 Vettori to Ponting, no run, drops it in a lot shorter, a fair bit
        of bounce and Ponting gets right over the top of it to force down
        forward of point, can't get a single as Bell makes a good diving
        save across from point
 101.5 Vettori to Ponting, one run, flighted up on the toes, well worked
        away towards midwicket for a single
 101.6 Vettori to Warne, no run, props forward to defend a fair ball just
        outside off stump, tapping it down in close on the off side

End of over 102 (4 runs) Australia 460/6
DL Vettori 27-4-102-4 - Church Street End
RT Ponting 114* (155b 16x4) SK Warne 57* (93b 9x4)

 102.1 Tuffey to Ponting, no run, shuffles right across to off stump to
        get in behind a straight shortish ball on off stump, defends
        firmly up towards mid on
 102.2 Tuffey to Ponting, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
        nips back in off the team, catching Ponting high on the pad, drops
        down in close on the off side as he manages to keep it out of his
        defences
 102.3 Tuffey to Ponting, no run, short lifting ball just outside off
        stump, again comes back appreciably off the seams, flies off the
        face just short of gully as Ponting loses his grip off the bat as
        he is cramped up while looking to cut
 102.4 Tuffey to Ponting, legbye: one run, short ball angling on leg
        stump, up on one leg to pull emphatically, but misses out, drops
        away off the pad just behind square, easy leg bye taken as
        Parore's up to tidy up
 102.5 Tuffey to Warne, no run, a fair bit slower this one, cuts back in
        to Warne who exposes his stumps a little, inside edges into the
        front pad, rebounding away into the off side
 102.6 Tuffey to Warne, FOUR, poor ball, sits up outside off stump, Warne
        spanks it through the covers, beats a despairing dive in the
        infield, and away it goes, punching a fair dent into the boundary
        fencing with that sort of blow

End of over 103 (5 runs) Australia 465/6
DR Tuffey 14-1-67-0 (1w 4nb) - River End
RT Ponting 114* (159b 16x4) SK Warne 61* (95b 10x4)

       just a little sprinkling of rain at Bellerive at the moment, not
        strong enough to make the umpires even consider coming off, a
        little sunshower
 103.1 Vettori to Ponting, one run, well flighted up outside off stump,
        Ponting watches it close, driving very nicely into the covers,
        misfielded and through for a single
 103.2 Vettori to Warne, no run, flighted up on the legs, pads it away in
        close on the leg side
 103.3 Vettori to Warne, no run, nicely looped up outside off stump, has
        Warne jabbing it away just backward of point, not certain of what
        that one was doing
 103.4 Vettori to Warne, one run, flighted up quite full on off stump,
        Warne on bended knee trying to emulate a more illustrious sweeper
        in the team, Hayden, gets it away, but not quite as cleanly,
        dragging it away to deep backward square leg
 103.5 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flatter ball on off stump, forced from
        the crease straight to cover point
 103.6 Vettori to Ponting, no run, well flighted up just outside off
        stump, firmly nudges it away into the covers in defence

End of over 104 (2 runs) Australia 467/6
DL Vettori 28-4-104-4 - Church Street End
SK Warne 62* (98b 10x4) RT Ponting 115* (162b 16x4)

 104.1 Tuffey to Warne, one run, attempted yorker but drifts on to the
        legs, strongly clipped down to long leg
 104.2 Tuffey to Ponting, one run, angling into the body again, easily
        worked away off the hip down to long leg again
 104.3 Tuffey to Warne, FOUR, super shot! Tuffey drops it in short, Warne
        stands on one leg, picking it off through backward square leg,
        used the pace of the ball to perfection and beats a sprawling dive
        on the boundary, a top order batsman would be proud of that one!
 104.4 Tuffey to Warne, no run, shortish straight ball on off stump,
        defends watchfully back down the pitch to Tuffey
 104.5 Tuffey to Warne, no run, short ball cuts back in off the seam,
        frees the arms to ease it straight to point in defence
 104.6 Tuffey to Warne, one run, shortish ball angling on leg stump,
        clipped off the legs down to long leg

End of over 105 (7 runs) Australia 474/6
DR Tuffey 15-1-74-0 (1w 4nb) - River End
SK Warne 68* (103b 11x4) RT Ponting 116* (163b 16x4)

 105.1 Vettori to Warne, one run, comes down the track, looking to smash
        Vettori over the leg side, but isn't to the pitch of one flighted
        outside off stump, goes straight on and is fortunate to drag a
        thick inside edge down to backward square leg
 105.2 Vettori to Ponting, no run, nicely flighted up full and straight,
        driven straight up the ground, just past the bowler, but mid on is
        there in cover
 105.3 Vettori to Ponting, no run, well flighted outside off stump, pushed
        straight to silly point in defence
 105.4 Vettori to Ponting, one run, flighted up much straighter, sweeps
        nice and cleanly along the ground, out to the man at deep backward
        square leg
 105.5 Vettori to Warne, one run, stabs forward in defence to a flighted
        ball just outside off stump, squirts it away just behind square on
        the leg side, slip has to give chase
 105.6 Vettori to Ponting, one run, Vettori switches to come over the
        wicket to the right-handed Ponting, flat ball turning in on the
        legs, well worked down just forward of square leg, easy single on
        offer as Parore has to dart across to tidy up

End of over 106 (4 runs) Australia 478/6
DL Vettori 29-4-108-4 - Church Street End
RT Ponting 118* (167b 16x4) SK Warne 70* (105b 11x4)

       time for drinks, with Australia cruising to another 65 runs in the
        first hour today, almost matching the number of runs scored by the
        openers in the same period yesterday, Warne and Ponting looking
        largely untroubled too

Match State: Drinks

       Nathan Astle replaces Tuffey at the Church Street End, and Tuffey
        has gone off the field, not quite feeling right, 12th man Lou
        Vincent on to cover for him
 106.1 Astle to Ponting, no run, right on the mark first ball, yorker dug
        out straight to short midwicket
 106.2 Astle to Ponting, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, drives
        square, straight to point
 106.3 Astle to Ponting, no run, props well forward to a good, tight ball
        on off stump, defends away into the covers
 106.4 Astle to Ponting, three runs, tight ball on off stump but Ponting
        plays a fine back cut, finding a gap just backward of point, no
        room to move but very well played, quickly back for a third
 106.5 Astle to Warne, no run, full outside off stump, looks to attack,
        strongly driving straight back on the off side of the pitch, Astle
        does his own fielding
 106.6 Astle to Warne, OUT: that man Astle does it again, doesn't get to
        bowl for 106 overs, but six balls later he works his magic as the
        reknowned partnership breaker, induced an attempted cover drive
        from Warne, but drags an inside edge and wrecks his stumps

       Australia 481/7, Partnership of 145
       SK Warne  b Astle  70 (107b 11x4 0x6)

End of over 107 (3 runs) Australia 481/7
NJ Astle 1-0-3-1 - River End
RT Ponting 121* (171b 16x4) 

       Warne's aspirations for a Test century go awry, but nevertheless
        has played a great hand to solidify Australia's position in
        support of Ponting, adding 145 for the 7th wicket
       Brett Lee the new batsman, at the non-striker's end as the wicket
        fell off the last ball of the over
 107.1 Vettori to Ponting, one run, flat ball turning into the legs,
        worked away just behind square for an easy single
 107.2 Vettori to Lee, no run, flighted up invitingly on the toes,
        watchfully pushed straight up to mid on in defence
 107.3 Vettori to Lee, no run, stabs forward in defence to a flighted ball
        on middle and leg, dropping it down in close on the leg side
 107.4 Vettori to Lee, no run, flatter ball, quite straight, Lee
        watchfully defends from the crease, pushing it straight back down
        the pitch
       Vettori switches to come around the wicket once more
 107.5 Vettori to Lee, no run, tries the arm ball, but can't control it,
        stays rather wide, Lee chases it but can't make any contact
 107.6 Vettori to Lee, no run, flighted up fuller and straighter, leans
        well forward, smothering it in defence, dropping it away in close
        on the leg side

End of over 108 (1 run) Australia 482/7
DL Vettori 30-4-109-4 - Church Street End
RT Ponting 122* (172b 16x4) B Lee 0* (5b)

 108.1 Astle to Ponting, no run, fullish ball angling on middle and leg,
        firmly pushes away to midwicket
 108.2 Astle to Ponting, no run, full and straight, driven straight to the
        man posted at short midwicket
 108.3 Astle to Ponting, no run, good tight ball on off stump, well
        forward, easing it into the off side in defence
 108.4 Astle to Ponting, FOUR, drops it in too short, Ponting quickly on
        to the pull, controlling it beautifully, didn't have to whack it,
        just placement and timing, played forward of square leg
 108.5 Astle to Ponting, one run, leans well forward into a fuller ball
        just outside off stump, Ponting is smart and keeps the field on
        their toes, nudging it forward of point perfectly for a quick
        single
 108.6 Astle to Lee, one run, stabs forward with uncertainty at a good
        tight straight ball on off stump, squirts an inside edge away
        square on the leg side, quick single taken as Vettori scampers
        across to field

End of over 109 (6 runs) Australia 488/7
NJ Astle 2-0-9-1 - River End
B Lee 1* (6b) RT Ponting 127* (177b 17x4)

       the state of the weather is becoming of a little more concern to
        the umpires, but we continue for now, just getting a bit darker
 109.1 Vettori to Lee, no run, flighted up very nicely, full on off stump,
        drawn well forward to defend firmly back on the off side of the
        pitch to Vettori
 109.2 Vettori to Lee, no run, stretches well forward, watchfully
        defending a well flighted ball on off stump back down the pitch
 109.3 Vettori to Lee, no run, tight ball looping in on off stump, Lee
        props forward, defending it down in close on the off side
 109.4 Vettori to Lee, no run, squared around by a ball honing in much
        straighter, shuffles right back in behind it, defending down at
        his feet
 109.5 Vettori to Lee, no run, flighted up on the legs, Lee comes forward,
        killing it with bat/pad in close on the leg side
 109.6 Vettori to Lee, no run, flighted up on off stump, props forward,
        defending back down the pitch to the bowler

End of over 110 (maiden) Australia 488/7
DL Vettori 31-5-109-4 - Church Street End
RT Ponting 127* (177b 17x4) B Lee 1* (12b)

       the weather gets worse and off we go, the players dash off as the
        groundsman and his tractor get the covers out into the middle
       Australia sit in a very comfortable position here, though the runs
        have just dried up a little - not that that's an overbearing
        concern at 488/7 after just 110 overs of the match!
       but if the weather plays any significant part in this match like it
        did in Brisbane, then they must be mindful as to how quickly they
        pace the remainder of this innings, and possibly declare sooner
        rather than later
       the forecast for the weekend isn't too bad at this stage, though it
        will be rather cloudy, while Monday is looking a bit more dubious
        at present
       unfortunately the news still isn't flash from Bellerive, the rain
        lightened off considerably when the covers came on, to an extent
        where only a hessian cover was needed for the pitch itself, but it
        has got a fair bit worse now and the main square is now
       under covers, so the delay looks like it'll be a reasonable time
        longer, probably an early lunch taken
       Remember, as always, with our coverage of Test cricket on CricInfo
        that detailed information of the day's happenings can be found in
        our live report at:
        http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/NEW/LIVE/frames/NZ_AUS_T2
        _22-26NOV2001.mr.html
       the umpires have decided to reschedule the lunch break 10 minutes
        earlier than planned, now being taken from 12:50pm local time
        (0150 GMT) for the normal time of 40 minutes, and as that time has
        just ticked over now, with the heavy covers on, that means
       we're now officially at lunch
       Australia win the points for the fourth session in a row, New
        Zealand's only moment of joy coming rather late in the piece,
        thanks to Astle's belated introduction to the bowling crease, but
        still 77 runs have been added in 21 overs as Ponting continues
       his charge, now the top scorer of the innings, having passed
        Langer's effort from yesterday, while Warne lost the opportunity
        for his maiden Test ton - scoring his fifth half century, and just
        short of his highest score against New Zealand, whom he
       favours more than any other opponent when holding willow in hand
       please join us at 1:30pm local time (0230 GMT) for what we hope
        will be the resumption in play in this 2nd Orange Test between
        Australia (no, not Auckland - thank you eagle eyed trainspotters)
        and New Zealand at Bellerive Oval
       any comments about today's coverage can be sent to
        comms@cricinfo.com - we appreciate all feedback received
       and we're back ready for the second session of play at Bellerive
        Oval, as the covers are being taken off now that the rain has
        stopped, though the surrounding skies are not all that friendly
        still
       oh dear, we're sorry, premature optimism on our part ... the moment
        they start taking the covers off - you guessed it - the rain
        starts pelting down, harder than before
       the rain has eased up reasonably, but still just a light drizzle
        coming down, so the covers stay on for the time being, with
        patient groundsmen standing by twiddling their thumbs
       the rain has now stopped, the covers remain on for the time being,
        as the umpires come out to the middle for a look
       approval has been given and the covers are now being peeled away,
        we're hoping for a start in the very near future, the conditions
        are such that there's no reason not to get on with it as soon as
        possible once the mandatory clear-up effort has occurred
       dear oh dear oh dear, the stumps are in, we're ready to go, the
        umpires walk out to the middle, the players walk on to the edge of
        the field ... and yes, you guessed it again - Mother Nature looks
        down on them all with mocking glee and decides to spray
       them with a light spit or three, the umpires look around, and
        decide to signal the covers back on, and Fleming and his team walk
        four and a half paces back into the dressing room
       we'll keep you posted as to the latest when it happens ... or
        doesn't, sorry folks, frustrating as it is, even in cyberspace
        we're at the mercy of the real world and it's very real weather
       as an addendum to the above, unfortunately we can tell you it's
        coming down a fair bit harder too, likely lengthening the new
        delay even further
       it's still raining lightly at Bellerive Oval, now 2:45pm local time
        (0345 GMT), the entire square is covered at present, we'll
        continue to play a game of wait and hope
       it's now just past 3pm local time (0400 GMT) and the news isn't any
        better, it's still steadily drizzling and of course there'll be no
        movement whatsoever at the ground while there's just the slightest
        bit of moisture in the air
       Remember, as always, with our coverage of Test cricket on CricInfo
        that detailed information of the day's happenings can be found in
        our live report at:
        http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/NEW/LIVE/frames/NZ_AUS_T2
        _22-26NOV2001.mr.html
       time for another quarter-hourly update, it's now 3:15pm local time
        (0415 GMT), and it hasn't been raining for a good 10+ minutes now,
        the umpires are coming out to have an inspection, there may be a
        good chance we'll be underway sooner rather than later,
       touch wood, anyway, what with someone up above hell bent on ruining
        this series!
       there's a bit of uncertainty as to the situation at the moment - it
        remains precipitation-free at Bellerive, despite dark clouds
        menacing in the distance, but the covers remain completely on, and
        not a soul in sight on the field
       it's now 3:40pm local time (0440 GMT) and the groundsmen are
        wandering on to the field, not necessarily to lift the covers off
        just yet, but in the meantime tea has been officially set for
        4:10pm local time (ie. in half an hour from now)
       the reasoning for this is that we can't play any more than a two-
        and-a-half hour long final session, so it has to be set that late
        in order to utilise the extra 60 minutes of play available to
        extend the day to a 7pm finish
       we've now gone more than half an hour without a drop of rain, and
        there's a lot of mulling about, much ado about nothing stuff it
        seems, the groundsmen may have some intuition about the local
        weather and another ensuing shower about to arrive - hard to
       tell what other reason there could be for such a delay right now,
        but as soon as we know, we'll update you here on baggygreen.com.au
       uh oh, 5:50pm local time (0450 GMT) and it's starting to come down
        again, ever so lightly, but getting progressively stronger, and
        the light is getting worse

Match State: Tea - Day 2

       it's now 4:50pm local time (0550 GMT), 20 minutes after the
        scheduled end of the tea break, and there's at last some movement,
        with umpires Bucknor and Davis having had a look and ordering the
        covers to be lifted off now - we haven't had any rain for
       over an hour now - though the taking off of the covers is probably
        tempting fate knowing how the last few hours have gone
       the stumps are now in place and we could be as little as 5 minutes
        away from a resumption in play, though we await the official word
       the covers are off the field and the players make their way back to
        the middle - it looks, at last, like we might get some play!
       looks like they're just out there for a few warmups first, no sign
        of the umpires yet, so it could be a 5:15pm local time (0615)
        restart
       the umpires finally make their way out to the middle, followed by
        the remainder of the players, and we have approximately 25 overs
        left to bowl until 7pm, though the light is relatively poor, so
        we'll be doing well to go the full stretch
       it'll be Nathan Astle to continue to Ricky Ponting from before the
        lengthy interval
 110.1 Astle to Ponting, no run, fair length ball outside off stump, left
        well alone through to Parore
 110.2 Astle to Ponting, no run, similar again, just getting a sighter in,
        lets it go through to the keeper
 110.3 Astle to Ponting, no run, good tight straight ball on off stump,
        has Ponting shuffling watchfully in behind it, defends away into
        the covers
 110.4 Astle to Ponting, no run, good pace ball with extra bounce just
        outside off stump, Ponting looks to cut but is done for the extra
        height, well taken by Parore high up
 110.5 Astle to Ponting, no run, very full and straight, driven straight
        back down the pitch to the bowler
 110.6 Astle to Ponting, two runs, oooh my lord! very lucky from Ponting,
        a good length straight ball nips back in off the seam, has Ponting
        cut in half as he looked to play square, gets a little inside edge
        which goes just over the stumps and beats the keeper

End of over 111 (2 runs) Australia 490/7
NJ Astle 3-0-11-1 - River End
B Lee 1* (12b) RT Ponting 129* (183b 17x4)

       trickles to a stop just inside the boundary, they only run two as
        Fleming chases it down from slip
       Shane Bond takes over from Daniel Vettori from before the break at
        Church Street End
 111.1 Bond to Lee, no run, good short lifting ball off a back of a length
        to another quick, Lee awkwardly fends it down in close on the off
        side, played safely but didn't look overly comfortable there
 111.2 Bond to Lee, FOUR, shot! cracking stuff, short and sits up outside
        off stump, slashes it mightily over backward point, Lee with a
        fitting riposte
 111.3 Bond to Lee, no run, good short rising ball just outside off stump,
        forces Lee to sway back out of the way to let it go through to
        Parore
 111.4 Bond to Lee, no run, another beaut from Bond, Lee jabs viciously
        down at a sharp rising ball climbing into the body, taken on the
        wrist, drops away towards square leg
 111.5 Bond to Lee, SIX, goodness gracious me! Bond drops it in too short
        outside off stump, is punished duly, and Lee does it in some fair
        style, playing a slashing flat six over point, just like Brisbane,
        brings up the Australian 500
 111.6 Bond to Lee, no run, tighter ball on a back of a length on off
        stump, defends away towards cover point

End of over 112 (10 runs) Australia 500/7
SE Bond 27-0-125-1 (1w 7nb) - Church Street End
RT Ponting 129* (183b 17x4) B Lee 11* (18b 1x4 1x6)

 112.1 Astle to Ponting, no run, good tight ball on off stump, Ponting
        shuffles right back in behind it, defending watchfully away
        towards point
 112.2 Astle to Ponting, no run, floated up wider outside off stump,
        invites Ponting to drive, he obliges but doesn't get on to it,
        dragging a thick inside edge into the pads, rebounds out into the
        covers
 112.3 Astle to Ponting, one run, shorter, straight ball, tucked away out
        through vacant square leg to the man posted in the deep
       the umpires have a brief look at the light conditions, but let play
        resume for the time being, it's not too flash out there
 112.4 Astle to Lee, no run, shortish ball on off stump, defends from the
        crease, forcing off the back foot into the covers
 112.5 Astle to Lee, no run, good length just outside off stump, Lee
        pushes it away towards point in defence
       Parore standing back to the last two deliveries from Astle with Lee
        on strike
 112.6 Astle to Lee, no run, well beaten, good little away swinger, just
        moves away from the probing bat of Lee outside off stump, through
        to Parore

End of over 113 (1 run) Australia 501/7
NJ Astle 4-0-12-1 - River End
RT Ponting 130* (186b 17x4) B Lee 11* (21b 1x4 1x6)

 113.1 Bond to Ponting, no run, stabs forward in defence to a good length
        ball swinging in from just outside off stump, not too certain
        about that one, taken high on the pad, rebounds away square on the
        off side
 113.2 Bond to Ponting, SIX, magnificent! Bond drops it in too short, just
        not learning here, and Ponting rocks back, gets right inside it
        and plays a brilliant hook shot, hard and flat over backward
        square leg, two men out in the deep behind square and he was never
        remotely in
       trouble of getting out there, marvellous player of the short stuff,
        particularly on the leg side
 113.3 Bond to Ponting, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, leaves
        well alone through to the keeper on this occasion
 113.4 Bond to Ponting, no run, a bit slower outside off stump, left well
        alone as it dies as it passes through to the keeper on the bounce
 113.5 Bond to Ponting, no run, wider still outside off stump and swinging
        late further away, hangs the bat well back out of the road to let
        it pass by untouched
 113.6 Bond to Ponting, FOUR, overpitched outside off stump, crashed
        through the covers in glorious style, not much more you can say to
        describe that one, had everything you'd want to see in a cricket
        stroke

End of over 114 (10 runs) Australia 511/7
SE Bond 28-0-135-1 (1w 7nb) - Church Street End
B Lee 11* (21b 1x4 1x6) RT Ponting 140* (192b 18x4 1x6)

 114.1 Astle to Lee, no run, full on the legs, firmly clipped away along
        the ground, but straight to midwicket, a stronger leg side field
        set for Lee on strike
 114.2 Astle to Lee, no run, good tight ball on off stump, Lee is drawn
        forward, presenting the full face of the bat in defence, playing
        it up towards mid off
 114.3 Astle to Lee, no run, dead straight ball, quietly taps it down
        square on the leg side in defence
 114.4 Astle to Lee, one run, shorter ball just moving away late outside
        off stump, nudges it away just forward of point, Bell parries it
        to his right as he can't make a clean stop, conceding the single
 114.5 Astle to Ponting, no run, full and straight, firmly driven straight
        back down the pitch, Astle palms it down to prevent it getting any
        further
 114.6 Astle to Ponting, no run, fullish on the legs, firmly clipped
        straight to midwicket

End of over 115 (1 run) Australia 512/7
NJ Astle 5-0-13-1 - River End
B Lee 12* (25b 1x4 1x6) RT Ponting 140* (194b 18x4 1x6)

       Daniel Vettori returns, after Bond's stint in place of him at the
        Church Street End only lasts for two overs (costing 20)
 115.1 Vettori to Lee, one run, nicely flighted on the legs, Lee does well
        to get right to the pitch of it, driving down to widish long on to
        tick the strike over once again
 115.2 Vettori to Ponting, no run, lovely ball! beautifully flighted,
        deceives Ponting totally, turns from leg stump, beats the leading
        edge of the bat as he closed the face while looking to work it to
        leg, taken high on the body and drops down in close on the off
        side of the pitch
 115.3 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flighted up fuller and straight, eases
        it away towards point in defence
 115.4 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flighted well outside off stump,
        Ponting moves all around the crease before settling back, cutting
        from close to the body, but gets it straight to the man at
        backward point
 115.5 Vettori to Ponting, no run, similar again, this one's a bit shorter
        and zips up off the pitch, hurried on to and manages to ease it
        firmly to Richardson at backward point
 115.6 Vettori to Ponting, one run, flighted well up on the legs, driven
        straight down to McMillan at widish long on

End of over 116 (2 runs) Australia 514/7
DL Vettori 32-5-111-4 - Church Street End
RT Ponting 141* (199b 18x4 1x6) B Lee 13* (26b 1x4 1x6)

 116.1 Astle to Ponting, two runs, shortish ball just drifting down the
        leg side, glanced fine off the hip, time for an easy couple as
        long leg comes around to field
 116.2 Astle to Ponting, FOUR, short and too much width outside off stump,
        Ponting leans back and plays another brilliant stroke, square
        cutting straight through point, bisects the field and away it goes
 116.3 Astle to Ponting, no run, much better response, has Ponting
        propping well forward with bat/pad tucked together, defending a
        straight ball into the covers
 116.4 Astle to Ponting, no run, shuffles right back in the crease,
        getting in behind a back of a length ball on off stump, forcing it
        straight back to Astle
 116.5 Astle to Ponting, no run, fuller on off stump, leans well forward
        to defend into the covers once again
 116.6 Astle to Ponting, one run, my word, another fortunate bottom edge
        from Ponting, shortish from Astle outside off stump, looked to cut
        but dragged it straight down into the deck, sneaks away past
        Parore's legs and they grab a single as it bounces away

End of over 117 (7 runs) Australia 521/7
NJ Astle 6-0-20-1 - River End
RT Ponting 148* (205b 19x4 1x6) B Lee 13* (26b 1x4 1x6)

 117.1 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flighted well on off stump, Ponting is
        watchfully forward, defending down in close on the off side
 117.2 Vettori to Ponting, no run, a lot more loop, nearly beats Ponting
        in flight as he comes down to it, trying to clip it off the legs
        but is a very low full toss, played straight to midwicket
 117.3 Vettori to Ponting, no run, flighted up just outside off stump,
        played straight down into the covers from the back foot
 117.4 Vettori to Ponting, two runs, flighted outside off stump, cuts just
        backward of point, beats the diving attempt by Richardson, and so
        there's time for a second as Bell fields from point, brings up
        Ponting's 150 from 209 balls, 19x4, 1x6, been a lovely post-rain
        stanza from him too
 117.5 Vettori to Ponting, one run, flighted up fuller outside off stump,
        driven just wide of mid off for a quick run
 117.6 Vettori to Lee, one run, stabs forward in defence with some
        uncertainty, squirts an inside edge from a flighted ball just
        outside off stump, getting it away just backward of square on the
        leg side, Ponting calls him through as Parore ducks after it

End of over 118 (4 runs) Australia 525/7
DL Vettori 33-5-115-4 - Church Street End
B Lee 14* (27b 1x4 1x6) RT Ponting 151* (210b 19x4 1x6)

 118.1 Astle to Lee, no run, shortish ball on off stump, defends off the
        back foot down into the covers
 118.2 Astle to Lee, no run, similar again, forced off the back foot
        straight down to point
 118.3 Astle to Lee, no run, quicker ball outside off stump, Lee tries to
        force it off the back foot, beaten by the bounce, well taken high
        up by Parore
 118.4 Astle to Lee, no run, shortish straight ball, defends from the
        crease, playing it back on the leg side of the pitch to Astle
 118.5 Astle to Lee, FOUR, thwack! drags a fair length ball from outside
        off stump across the line, clubbing it over mid on's head, Astle
        gives a wry smile as Lee gets away with it, just planted the foot
        down the track and latched on to it
 118.6 Astle to Lee, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, tapped
        quietly short of the cover field, well worked for a quick single

End of over 119 (5 runs) Australia 530/7
NJ Astle 7-0-25-1 - River End
B Lee 19* (33b 2x4 1x6) RT Ponting 151* (210b 19x4 1x6)

 119.1 Vettori to Lee, no run, shapes to come down the track but does well
        to readjust as he realised he wasn't going to get to it as Vettori
        dips it in shorter, guided firmly to backward point
 119.2 Vettori to Lee, no run, flatter ball honing in on off stump,
        defends from the crease, playing it away to point
 119.3 Vettori to Lee, FOUR, Lee fetches a flighted ball from just outside
        off stump, on to bended knee and pull/sweeps it through square
        leg, beats the man in the deep further behind square
 119.4 Vettori to Lee, FOUR, shot! too short, sits up just outside off
        stump, Lee leans back to free the arms and slashes it away through
        cover point, a little aerially, but always safe
 119.5 Vettori to Lee, no run, flatter ball on off stump, defends quietly
        from the crease to point
 119.6 Vettori to Lee, one run, uses his feet well to a flighted ball,
        driven off the toes straight down to long on

End of over 120 (9 runs) Australia 539/7
DL Vettori 34-5-124-4 - Church Street End
B Lee 28* (39b 4x4 1x6) RT Ponting 151* (210b 19x4 1x6)

       51 runs in 10 overs since the long break, no mucking around at
        Bellerive, Australia keen to send this total to even greater
        imposing heights
 120.1 Astle to Lee, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump, chops
        it down straight to point
 120.2 Astle to Lee, no run, respectfully defends a straight ball on off
        stump, defending watchfully back down the pitch to Astle
 120.3 Astle to Lee, no run, strange shot, on the back foot trying to
        straight drive a ball which is fairly full outside off stump,
        mistimes it into the deck, back to Astle
 120.4 Astle to Lee, no run, drops it in shorter, hops back in behind it,
        defending from the crease, presents the full face as he plays it
        back to Astle
 120.5 Astle to Lee, no run, good tight ball on off stump, defends from
        the crease into the covers, briefly looking for a quick single
        before loud shouts of 'no! no!' come from Ponting
 120.6 Astle to Lee, one run, shortish ball seaming down the leg side,
        tucked off the hip just behind square

End of over 121 (1 run) Australia 540/7
NJ Astle 8-0-26-1 - River End
B Lee 29* (45b 4x4 1x6) RT Ponting 151* (210b 19x4 1x6)

 121.1 Vettori to Lee, one run, shuffles right back to a flighted ball
        drifting into the pads, well worked away to vacant square leg to
        rotate the strike again
 121.2 Vettori to Ponting, one run, flighted up full and straight, comes
        down to it, driving straight down to long on
 121.3 Vettori to Lee, SIX, comes a long way down the pitch, and really
        gets a hold of that one, absolutely smashing it hard, and a long,
        long way into the air, over midwicket, carries well clear over the
        rope
 121.4 Vettori to Lee, no run, flighted up on off stump, defends down in
        close on the off side
       looks like Australia are setting themselves up for a few overs
        bowling at the New Zealand openers tonight, with Lee's present
        intent
 121.5 Vettori to Lee, one run, flighted up outside off stump, driven
        straight down the ground towards second substitute fielder Chris
        Martin at long off
 121.6 Vettori to Ponting, one run, flatter ball on off stump, chopped
        away backward of point, quick single taken well as Bell fields
        smartly

End of over 122 (10 runs) Australia 550/7
DL Vettori 35-5-134-4 - Church Street End
RT Ponting 153* (212b 19x4 1x6) B Lee 37* (49b 4x4 2x6)

       12th man Andy Bichel has just jogged out to the middle to chat to
        the batsman, probably giving the word to say how many more overs
        until the declaration comes
 122.1 Astle to Ponting, no run, shortish straight ball on off stump,
        defends straight back to the bowler
 122.2 Astle to Ponting, no run, watchfully defends from the crease,
        playing another straight one back to Astle
 122.3 Astle to Ponting, no run, fuller and angling in on middle and leg,
        clipped straight to midwicket
 122.4 Astle to Ponting, no run, shorter ball just outside off stump,
        defends from well back on the crease, forced straight back to
        Astle
       a sudden gust of wind disturbs Astle in his delivery stride and he
        bails out
 122.5 Astle to Ponting, no run, good tight shortish straight ball, pushes
        straight up to McMillan at mid off
 122.6 Astle to Ponting, FOUR, forced back in the crease by a good tight
        ball on off stump, slices a thick outside edge just fine of
        Fleming in the gully, no slip in place so he gets away with it,
        down to the vacant third man boundary

End of over 123 (4 runs) Australia 554/7
NJ Astle 9-0-30-1 - River End
B Lee 37* (49b 4x4 2x6) RT Ponting 157* (218b 20x4 1x6)

 123.1 Vettori to Lee, FOUR, flighted well up just outside off stump,
        powerfully swung away over wide midwicket, Lee enjoying himself in
        the drab conditions
       looks like Steve Waugh may be holding off a declaration while the
        light is questionable - Astle and Vettori bowling is slightly
        different to McGrath, Lee and Gillespie with the new ball at this
        time of the evening
 123.2 Vettori to Lee, no run, flatter ball just outside off stump, plays
        a deft late cut, but straight to the backward point fielder
 123.3 Vettori to Lee, no run, yikes! all sorts of action there, flighted
        up, Lee charges down the track, smashes it back on the leg side of
        the pitch, Vettori thrusts a hand at it, gets a fair chunk of it
        but can't hang on, technically a chance, ricochets away to mid on,
        Ponting
       has to dive back into his crease as a throw at the bowler's end
        comes in, just missing, looked in trouble had it hit
 123.4 Vettori to Lee, no run, well flighted on off stump, has a big swing
        and gets an edge into the body, deflects away just wide of Fleming
        at slip
 123.5 Vettori to Lee, no run, flighted up full and straight, defends down
        in close on the off side
 123.6 Vettori to Lee, OUT: dances down the wicket, gets hold of a
        flighted, straight ball well, but McMillan is waiting out at deep
        midwicket, and takes a comfortable catch above his head

       Australia 558/8, Partnership of 77
       B Lee  c McMillan b Vettori  41 (55b 5x4 2x6)

End of over 124 (4 runs) Australia 558/8
DL Vettori 36-5-138-5 - Church Street End
RT Ponting 157* (218b 20x4 1x6) 

       immediately as Lee falls short of a rapid fire half century, Steve
        Waugh comes out and signals them in, Australia have declared at a
        mighty 558/8
       Vettori grabs a five-wicket bag, though at a fair cost, 138 runs
        coming from his 36 overs, but by far and away the best of the
        Black Cap bowlers in the innings
       Ricky Ponting ends up unbeaten on 157, his first Test century on
        his home ground, and a cracker it was too, savaging the Kiwi
        attack with some blistering cuts and pulls, in much the same suit
        as the two batsmen in before him
       a similar story to Brisbane so far - the very top of the order
        doing impressive damage, the middle crumbling away, before a lower
        order recovery takes them to a dominating total
       (of course, all interspersed with bursts of rain that disrupts
        things as much as possible to change the nature of the game - but
        at least the Hobart forecast is a bit better for the weekend!)
       the top three racked up 371 runs between them, the next three just
        12, and the following three an impressive 150
       some of the Australian players do some warmups on the edge of the
        outfield, getting ready for a minimum of 9 overs at the New
        Zealand top order to try and set the visitors even more on the
        back foot by the close of play
       the players make their way to the middle, but the first thing New
        Zealand opener Mark Richardson does, before marking his crease, is
        to speak with umpire Davis, and after a quick consultation between
        the umpires they trudge off, before a ball has even
       been delivered, Steve Waugh stops the umpires in their tracks to
        have a follow-up word, naturally unhappy with the decision, but it
        can't sway their minds, and the players continue to come off,
        probably for good
       Waugh can be a bit disappointed, but by the same token, shouldn't
        really be surprised, considering that he's opening with McGrath,
        at a stage in the day which is already 20 minutes after the
        originally scheduled close of play, and long after New Zealand
       just snuck through with a handful of overs from slow bowlers Astle
        and Vettori with a little double lingering in the air over the
        light even at that time
       that should be stumps, as the players went off after the originally
        scheduled close of play, and even if the light were to magically
        improve, under the playing conditions in force you can't return to
        the field in such a situation
       the groundsmen are out in the middle, ready to place the covers on
        the wicket, so that is a sure sign too, thougth the absolute
        official word is yet to be received on the matter
       it's been Australia's day again, in what part of it they've been
        actually able to stay out in the middle anyway, moving their
        overnight score from 411/6 to 558/8
       that's 147 runs for the loss of just Warne and Lee in the space of
        just 34 overs, at the rate of 4.32 runs per over - only really
        slowed down by a tidy 9-over spell by Astle, who still got taken
        to a little, even then
       Ponting moved from his overnight score of 92 to post his 9th Test
        century and first on his home ground after very modest returns
        before this innings at Bellerive, eventually adding 65 off 97
        balls today
       Warne and Lee again made telling contributions, along with
        Gilchrist, seeing Australia through from a little shaky patch at
        267/5 and 336/6 to this great total
       New Zealand have a lot of work (and maybe the odd rain dance or
        three) to do in the next three days if they are to go to Perth
        still with a chance of stealing the series - but that in itself
        would be a mighty feat
       considering that they have yet to dismiss Australia in any innings
        so far, critically failing to finish off the (admittedly strong)
        tail when they had the opportunity on a roll after cleaning up the
        middle order
       stumps have been officially called now and the covers are going on,
        so that's all from Bellerive Oval on a frustrating second day's
        play - please join us at the earlier starting time tomorrow of
        10:30am local time (2330 GMT) for the third day of this 2nd
       Orange Test between Australia and New Zealand, brought to you by
        baggygreen.com.au in association with CricInfo.com
       any comments about today's coverage can be sent to
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Match State: Stumps - Day 2

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Date-stamped : 23 Nov2001 - 10:35