AFTER a long layoff from the test arena, the Australians returned in style against New Zealand, wrapping up a comprehensive 208-run victory at the GABBA on Monday.
The win was set up on the first day with brilliant centuries from newly-appointed vice-captain David Warner and comeback kid Usman Khawaja, taking the game away from the visitors before they even met the crease.
New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum, who was dubbed ‘immature’ by Warner prior to the commencement of the test, believes his side lacked a competitive edge against the second best test team in the world.
“We were off the pace. Australia bossed the game from the start really and they thoroughly deserved their win,” McCullum said.
“I thought our big opportunity was on day one with the ball. There was a little bit of assistance there and we just weren’t quite able to be as accurate or as patient as what we hoped, and certainly not as proactive as we normally are as well.”
McCullum was especially glowing of his sparring partner Warner.
“I think from David Warner in particular, Australia certainly came at us pretty hard and were able to knock us off our lengths and we weren’t able to settle quick enough.
“There’s still some good signs for us, but we’re going to have to get better in a short space of time.”
The pre-test tensions bubbled over onto the field too with Aussie quick Mitchell Starc fined 50 per cent of his match payments for a wayward throw that seemed to be directed at New Zealand batsman Mark Craig.
Australian captain Steve Smith condemned the actions of his spearhead.
“I thought it was pretty disappointing,” Smith said.
“He’s done it a few times and I’m going to have a word with him when we get back down in the sheds. I don’t think it was necessary at the time. Hopefully he can improve and get better from that.
Whilst he does not agree with Starc’s actions Smith believes what he did warranted issuing an apology.
“I don’t think he needs to apologise. I just don’t think he needs to do it in the future. There wasn’t an opportunity for a run-out there and I think it was just a bit of frustration. I think he needs to let it out in other ways.”
Can the Aussies continue the rage in Perth?
After the first test domination, the Australians have moved into firm favourites to take the second test in Perth with online bookmakers.
Sportsbet has the Australians at $1.33 to make it two from two against their trans-Tasman rivals – a significant change from the $1.71 on offer for the opening test in Sydney.
The Black Caps have a selection quandary on their hands with allrounder Jimmy Neesham suffering an injury in the first test.
The injury to Neesham has opened the door to Black Caps veteran Luke Ronchi to return to the fold.
The 34-year old has experience in Western Australia, having played domestic cricket for the Warriors in the Sheffield Shield competition and would be an ideal replacement.
There is also doubts over whether paceman Tim Southee will be able to take to the field on Friday, but Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum believes his spearhead will be good to go.
“I’m expecting Tim will be available. He’s hard as nails, Timmy, and if he is anywhere near fit then he’ll play. He’s started to come right pretty quickly, which is a good sign.” McCullum said.
“We’ll give him every chance. He’s one of our leaders within the group, he’s an outstanding bowler, and he showed within that first innings that he’ll pose a lot of questions as well.
The Australians will have no such problems with a full squad to choice from.
Despite impressive starts to their Australian summers, newly installed opener Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja still have plenty of improvement left in them according to Aussie coach Darren Lehmann.
While Lehmann was impressed with both Burns and Khawaja’s work with the willow, their fielding left a lot to be desired with several easy chances missed by both men.
“He (Burns) just needs work,” Lehmann said.
“He’s just going to have to do more work, (spend) more time on his fielding and probably Uzzy (Khawaja) to be fair.
“They’ve got to move better and field at the level you’d expect of international cricketers.”
Match odds and 2nd test tips
Odds provided by Sportsbet.com.au
Draw: – $8.00
New Zealand: – $5.50
Match preview:
WACA, Perth, Western Australia, Friday, November 13
After their impressive first test win, the Australians are strong favourites to take the second test at the WACA.
With a pace-friendly surface that will favour the Aussies much more than the Black Caps, the home side will thrive on the bouncy Perth pitch.
The New Zealanders rely more on swinging the ball than outright raw pace and movement off the seam. They struggled to take wickets in Brisbane and will find the going tough again at the WACA.
The danger man for the Black Caps is Kane Williamson.
Williamson is ranked the fifth best batsmen in the world by the ICC rankings and he proved why at Brisbane – scoring 140 of his team’s 317 in the first innings.
Despite being their best batting option, Williamson represents terrific value with Sportsbet in the top New Zealand first innings run scorer market, with the 25-year old paying $3.25.
Australia’s new comers Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja have fitted seamlessly into the Aussie top order.
Both men raised the bat at the GABBA after two exciting innings and the duo will be eager to repeat the dose on the WACA pitch.
Having played a lot of domestic cricket over the past two years, Burns and Khawaja are very familiar with the WACA wicket and will thrive against a Black Caps pace attack who may struggle to find wickets.
Usman Khawaja is at $7.00 with Sportsbet to score a century in the second test while Joe Burns is at $6.50.
All eyes will be on Mitchell Starc after his fiery performance at the GABBA.
While he drew headlines for the wrong reasons, Starc’s efforts with the ball were terrific, taking six wickets for the match.
Starc took four first innings wickets at the GABBA, and with the wicket line at 2.5 for the first innings at the WACA, the odds of $1.88 with Sportsbet look hard to go past given the form he is in.
Expect the Australians to assert their dominance again throughout the Perth test, with another complete performance with both bat and ball on the cards for the home side.
