Twitter Reactions: New Zealand fight but Australia extend their lead past 400
Australia ended the day on 167/6 after New Zealand were bundled out for 166.
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Australia are firmly on top in the ongoing first Test between Australia and New Zealand in Perth. The visitors were bundled out for 166 runs in the first innings in the first session of the day conceding a mammoth 250-run lead. But the Kiwis fought back gamely late in the day triggering a collapse. However, the hosts are still the favourites in the match with the lead going past the 400-run mark.
The day began with New Zealand struggling at 109/5 and their overnight batsmen Ross Taylor and BJ Watling had to bat out of their skins. But that wasn’t the case. The latter was castled by Pat Cummins in the first half-hour of the day. Even then Taylor kept fighting but couldn’t go past 80 and soon the Kiwi innings folded. Starc ended with a stunning five-wicket haul (5/52) and was well supported by the other bowlers.
New Zealand stage a fightback late in the day
New Zealand, however, didn’t lose heart despite conceding a huge lead. Their bowlers hit the right areas yet again to keep a lid on the run-scoring. The ploy worked for the tourists as Tim Southee got the better of David Warner for 19 runs. Marnus Labuschagne and Joe Burns then blunted the Kiwi bowling attack with some patience.
Both of them notched up their respective half-centuries adding 87 runs for the second wicket and at that point, it seemed as if Australia will score quickly and declare to have a go at New Zealand batsmen under the lights. But the last 15 overs belonged to Southee and Wagner who employed a short-ball ploy to get the opposition batsmen out.
The tactic worked wonders as Labuschagne pulled one straight into the hands of Mitchell Santner while Burns got a snorter from Southee. Steve Smith hung around for a bit only to fall into the trap. He scored 16 runs and he lean run extended in the home season. The battle between Matthew Wade and Wagner was worth though as the former didn’t give up and let the ball hit his body a number of times.
He was uncomfortable at times but Wade made sure that he didn’t leave his team reeling. But at the other end, there was a procession. Travis Head’s vulnerability down the leg-side was exposed again while the Aussie skipper Tim Paine got a peach from Southee as he failed to open his account. Australia collapsed from being 131/1 to 160/6 in just 11 overs.
However, Wade and Cummins went through the rest of the day unscathed though not comfortably. Australia ended the day on 167/6 after 57 overs and the overall lead now reads 417 which might be already enough for the home side to win the match. Having said that, one has to laud the Kiwis for the way they’ve fought in this game so far. But their batsmen have let them down.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
This Test Pitch In #Perth has been an absolutely belter … Bit in it for everyone .. More Test Pitches like this one please .. #FoxCricket #AUSvNZ
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 14, 2019
Bodyline is back ….. #Loveit #AUSvNZ #FoxCricket
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 14, 2019
If Australia Are Going To Continue With Paine On The Basis Of Good Wicket Keeping Then Peter Neville Needs Another Chance Too #ausvnz
— Chatil Panditasekara (@ChatilPandi) December 14, 2019
I love sport. #AUSvNZ is an example why.
— Lachlan Steele (@Lachy_Steele) December 14, 2019
Australia still in a dominant position in Perth but is their middle order a concern? I like Travis Head and think he shouldn't have been dropped during the Ashes but neither he nor Wade have made that big score to nail down their places in the side #AUSvNZ
— MediumPaceDobbler (@MediumPaceDobb1) December 14, 2019
Taylor,BJ Watling,Santner & De Grandhomme were dismissed !!!!!! That’s not a tail … #Muppet https://t.co/uTEPFimzYx
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 14, 2019
Australia a little idle, WATTLING around the field, missed run out sees Australia receive there first bit of PAINE! #AUSvNZ #Cricket
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) December 14, 2019
Steve Smith out for 16.
Hasn't hit a century since September.
If you want 17 New Balance bats and 37 pairs of gloves and pads, I'd go check in the Swan River behind Optus Stadium. Might be a few snapped in half however #AUSvNZ
— TheUnsportsmen.com 🇦🇺 (@The_Unsportsmen) December 14, 2019
What an incredible contest between the two Nations Australia and New Zealand. Test cricket at it's best. Was expecting the same from Pakistan. But jb Inexperience Bowling side ko lekr jaingein tou ghanta kch nhi ukhaar sakte. #AUSvNZ #AUSvsNZ
— Rafayyy🇵🇰 (@SeedhasaBanda) December 14, 2019
Rest up and come back tomorrow to clean up the tail … and then we can try that batting thing again 😉 #AUSvNZ @BLACKCAPS
— Jess (@BlackCapsNo1Fan) December 14, 2019
Tim Southee & Neil Wagner proving that pace isn't everything when it comes to aggressive short pitched bowling.
Floodlights help too…#AUSvNZ https://t.co/47aGVgWvXD
— RufusB (@rufus_cricket) December 14, 2019
All credit for fight back from New-Zealand goes to Smith as Tim Southee's back in form thanks to the catch he took of Steve Smith.#AUSVNZ
— Steve Smith fan (@thevipersden) December 14, 2019
So glad Wadey survived till stumps 💖💖💖 stay strong, wade, don't let those big bad kiwis knock you down. Keep fighting 💪 #AUSvNZ
— Laura (@zoidberg_cool) December 14, 2019
Seriously what is his thought process with playing the short ball like that? Very weird.
Anyway at least the last hour was fun to watch from a NZ perspective. #AUSvNZ
— James Rodbourn (@jrodbourn) December 14, 2019
😍😍😍#AUSvNZpic.twitter.com/PEm0RgTwUA
— The Googly (@officialgoogly) December 14, 2019
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