Australia record 149-run win over New Zealand despite failure of some of their key players in the Gabba Test
BRISBANE: Australia won the first Test of Trans-Tasman Trophy in Brisbane by 149 runs on the fifth day at Gabba on Sunday. But it would have brought little cheer for Ricky Ponting as some of his key players, including himself, had a forgettable outing.
The home team won because of sterling performances from Simon Katich and Mitchell Johnson.
After being put into bat in difficult conditions, things didn’t look very rosy as they were bowled out for 214 in the first innings. However, they exploited the weak New Zealand batting and got a vital 58-run- first-innings lead.
But the complexion of the game changed as Matthew Hayden departed off the first ball of second innings. It was then left for Simon Katich to do all the hard-work. With his unbeaten 131 Australia managed to set a target of 327.
Chasing anything above 300 would have been difficult on any track. The Kiwis fell short by a margin of 149 runs. Thanks to some incisive spell of fast bowling from Australia in the final session of the fourth day. Two late strikes helped then hosts put pressure on the Kiwis.
Scorecard:
Australia 1st innings 214
New Zealand 1st innings 156
Australia 2nd innings 268
New Zealand 2nd innings: Redmond c & b Clark 10, How c Ponting b Lee 0, Ryder lbw b Johnson 24, Taylor c Haddin b Johnson 75, McCullum lbw b Clark 3, Flynn b Johnson 29, Elliott b Clark 0, Vettori c Symonds b Johnson 10, Southee not out 12, O’Brien c Clarke b Clark 3, Martin b Johnson 1, Extras 10. Total (all out; 54.3 overs) 177.
Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-30, 3-40, 4-49, 5-133, 6-143, 7-160, 8-161, 9-164, 10-177
Bowling: Lee 9-0-53-1, Clark 17-5-43-4, Johnson 17.3-6-39-5, Watson 5-1-19-0, Symonds 4-0-12-0, Clarke 2-0-6-0
