Get Sports News Via RSS

>>>ematchfixing>>f1>>News>

McGrath's six-wicket haul balances first test

Glenn McGrath claimed six wickets Friday to leave the first cricket test between New Zealand and Australia delicately balanced at the end of the second day.

McGrath completed his 26th five-wicket test haul, taking his five of his six wickets in nine overs to spark the end of New Zealand's first innings for 433.
New Zealand had a modest advantage when it reduced Australia to 75-2 in its first innings, removing openers Justin Langer (23) and Matthew Hayden (35).

Captain Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn added 65 for the third wicket to strengthen Australia's hand, but Martyn (32) was out just before stumps to readjust the balance of the match.

Ponting was unbeaten on 41 and nightwatchman Jason Gillespie was yet to score when Australia left the pitch on 141-3 at stumps.

"It's a pretty good wicket to bat on," said New Zealand's Nathan Astle, who scored 74 runs.

"We just toiled away and to pick up three - one more would have been even better - it's fair to say we're happy with the day."

New Zealand started the second day in a strong position at 265-3 and were better-placed when Hamish Marshall and Astle added exactly 60 runs at even pace in the day's first hour.

Legspinner Shane Warne triggered New Zealand's decline when he turned a flighted delivery to bowl Marshall for 146 and leave New Zealand at 330-4.

McGrath bowled his first 32 overs at a cost of 75 runs without taking a wicket, though he saw catches from Stephen Fleming and Craig Cumming dropped on the first day.

His sustained effort was rewarded shortly before lunch when he had Craig McMillan (13), playing away from his body and caught by Adam Gilchrist.

McGrath captured the last five New Zealand wickets in little more than an hour in the second session.

Using the second new ball, then almost 50 overs old, McGrath was able to extract considerable reverse swing and to confuse batsmen by moving the ball into and away from the bat. His last five wickets came at a cost of barely 30 runs.

McGrath trapped Astle lbw - his 22nd test 50 - with a ball that swung in sharply from outside offstump.

He struck Brendon McCullum (29) twice on the forearm with short-pitched balls, then had the New Zealand wicketkeeper caught at cover by Langer with a delivery that was just short of a length.

James Franklin fell lbw to McGrath without scoring and Iain O'Brien and Chris Martin were both caught behind.

After a ragged opening by Martin, who conceded 14 runs from his first over, New Zealand's inexperienced new ball attack contained the Australians.

Franklin found no swing with the new ball but maintained good line and was rewarded when Langer edged a ball onto his stumps.

Hayden gave newcomer O'Brien his first test wicket, edging a ball which was athletically caught by Astle at second slip.

Daniel Vettori struck a final and important blow when he forced Martyn to play within his crease with good flight, he had the right-hander lbw for 32. Replays showed the ball took an inside edge before hitting the pad.