New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming's choice to bowl first in the second Test at Hobart yesterday was the talk of newspapers covering the match today.

New Zealand Herald: "It was hard to decide last night which blunder was going to cost New Zealand more - the non-selection of Chris Martin or the decision to ask Australia to bat first in the second test at Bellerive.

"Despite a Daniel Vettori-inspired fightback it was still a calamitous day for New Zealand, as the bowling attack was demolished for the second consecutive occasion by Australian opening batsmen Justin Langer (123) and Matthew Hayden (91).

"The last time New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming inserted this pair they piled on 224 so it may have been considered something of a victory yesterday when they were restricted to a mere 223, as Australia marched through to a commanding 411 for six at stumps.

"It could have been worse but for a touch of Vettori magic through the second and third sessions.

"The left-armer indicated a return to his best form with four precious wickets."

The Sydney Morning Herald: "Driving is Langer's hallmark and was again to the fore, but both left-handers were given no shortage of fodder to pull as the Kiwis were again left to question the wisdom of sending an opponent in.

"Old slow-coach Hayden got a wriggle on after Langer's departure, leaving his crease to lift Daniel Vettori to the cover and straight boundaries. Nine runs short of a fourth century of the calendar year, he lifted the spinner straight to long-on.

"Vettori was doing all that a spinner has to do, holding his nerve and getting just enough turn. He soon had Mark Waugh in two minds, playing inside a drive after skipping forward and losing his off stump.

"First-gamer Shane Bond hit Adam Parore's gloves harder than anyone, particularly in a pre-tea spell in which he hit Steve Waugh's as well. The captain, again confronted with a leg gully, a short leg and short bowling, watched the ball bob just out of reach.

"Bond, a trainee policeman with a good name for hunting down his man, kept at him and made Waugh his first Test victim with a leg before verdict that bemused the batsman. It might have passed over, but a similar appeal minutes earlier might not."

The Daily Telegraph: "For the first time in 1570 matches through 124 years of international cricket, two left-handers have made three century opening stands in as many Tests. Langer and Hayden have two of the five century partnerships scored at the top of the order in Australia's 40 Tests against New Zealand, they are the only pair to do it twice and the only ones with a double century to start the innings.

"Moreover, Langer is the first Australian to score a century in three successive matches since David Boon on the 1993 Ashes tour.

"In Brisbane, Langer should have been leg before wicket to the fifth ball of the match but survived.

"Yesterday he was dropped by Matthew Bell from the seventh ball of the game while on one, after cutting Daryl Tuffey's first delivery hard and high to gully.

"Langer then put the New Zealand bowlers to the sword. His 50 came in just 48 balls with 10 fours - mostly blazing drives and pulls. Hayden was only one at the time.

"Once Langer went, Hayden holed out to long-on on the verge of another century, mis-hitting a flighted delivery from Vettori."

New Zealand Press Association: "Some commentators suggested New Zealand were foolish not to select accurate fast-medium bowler Chris Martin who has taken 28 wickets in seven tests and could move the ball away from the left-handed opening batsmen.

"Fleming acknowledged he had made a mistake by asking Australia to bat first after winning the toss.

"'The moisture was in there but it just didn't do as much as we had hoped,'" Fleming said.

"'I'm probably feeling the most disappointed out of anybody.'

"'Once we realised there wasn't much (movement) there, we had to settle in and do some work. We obviously didn't do that well enough until halfway through the second session.'"

"That was the Black Caps' best period when both openers were dismissed and memories of the first test in Brisbane were revived as Australia lost five wickets for 44."

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