Australia vs New Zealand 1st Test: 5 Talking Points of the Match

Australia vs New Zealand 1st Test: 5 Talking Points of the Match: Nobody expected that New Zealand would receive such a severe thrashing coming into the first full-fledged Test series between the two sides in a long time. But the cracks were already visible in New Zealand’s tour match against Cricket Australia XI, wherein Aaron Finch and Carters recorded a humongous opening partnership of 503. And they were fully exposed by swashbuckling Aussie batsmen.

The Australians, after a huge first innings score, tightened the screws around the New Zealand batting line-up. Kane Williamson’s brilliant 140 saved the NZ batting line-up from a severe embarrassment. The Aussie batsmen, the second time around, bulldozed the New Zealand attack sans Southee, who missed out due to injury. Warner and Burns made merry in both the innings, and helped Australia set a target of 504. The match was half lost then and there, and a poor batting response from the New Zealand batsmen, in spite of some help from the rain, resulted in a heavy 208 run loss for the visitors.

After an unceremonious end to the first Test, thanks to some ugly scenes from Mitchell Starc, here are the 5 Talking Points of the Match

1. Warner bosses the bowlers around

David Warner has been Australia’s most consistent batsman over the past couple of years, and against New Zealand he showed why he is one of the most dangerous batsmen in Test arena today. With counter-attacking batting style in the mould of Virender Sehwag and Matthew Hayden, Warner easily bossed around the bowlers in both the innings, and has the scorecard to show it. Twin centuries, achieving it for the 3^rd time in his career, severely blunted the visitors. Warner has definitely sent the warning signs going into the second Test.

2. Burns the man for the future

After the retirement of Chris Rogers, Smith had a huge shoe to fill at the opening spot. Joe Burns, with his recent performances has booked the spot for his own. His aggressive intent in the second innings was quite an exhibition, wherein he actually outscored Warner. While his ability to score at a quick rate has been established, it is interesting as to how he plays in bowler friendly conditions and more specifically, when the team’s batting is in a dire situation.

3. Bowling attack set

One of the major problems Australia had in England, along with a shabby batting, was constant shuffling in the bowling attack. While Watson was an underachieving 5^th bowler, Siddle and Pattinson were a stark contrast to what Johnson and Starc had to offer. Then came in Hazlewood and Marsh, and suddenly the attack looks more potent than ever. While Hazlewood dazzles with both old and the new ball, Marsh’s gentle medium pacers are not something which can be taken lightly. With the Mitchell pair to open the bowling, following by Hazelwood and Marsh, the bowling attack looks quite settled for the upcoming home season.

4. Willamson best in the world

Amidst the rumble created due to failures from fellow batsmen, Williamson rose to the occasion and stood heads and shoulders above the rest. A 140 and a 59 in a losing cause may not sound much, but it is his technique and with what ease he adapted to the condition makes him a Legend in the making. Already having amassed 2000+ runs in all the formats this year, Williamson is by far the best in business in the world today.

5. McCullum needs to sort out the issues

Though the captain can take a lot of positives from his knock in the second innings, he cannot deny the fact that the team composition and the general mood as such is quite out of sorts. While the batsmen, barring Williamson, threw away wickets in the first innings, none of them took up the responsibility of playing a match-saving innings in the second. Craig had been taken to cleaners in both the innings, and does not look like a good option for a team’s lead spinner. And not to forget the absence of Tim Southee due to injury, and aggravation of Neesham’s injury. While calling in players is not a problem at all, it is the matter of playing the right composition against arguably the best team in the world currently.