Aussie Backlash

The Australians seem to have perfected the art of winning games despite playing well below their usual standard. And no, that wasn't intended as a put-down or a backhanded compliment, rather a reiteration of grudging admiration.

Saturday's game was a case in point. The batsmen failed to improve on their collective effort in Napier, and the bowlers were somewhat flat, with more boundary balls being offered than I can remember from them in a long time. Despite this, (and another scarcely believable effort from Daniel Vettori, sprained neck and all) the all-Australian knack of picking up key wickets when they were most needed allowed them to successfully defend against a team whose innings only seemed to gather more steam with each dismissal.

Daryl Tuffey's wicket - when did he learn to bat, incidentally? - pretty much summed up the nature of the game. He was forming a threatening partnership with Vettori, and a-run-a-ball needed. Ponting brought in the slip for Mitchell Johnson, who then delivered it a foot outside off. Hook, line and sinker. Johnson deserves special mention for performing the role of a strike bowler to perfection, though I don't see the "wanker" chants from the NZ crowds subsiding anytime soon.

New Zealand contributed to their own defeat with a glut of soft dismissals; but they have only made life more difficult for themselves by persisting with bizarre batting selection policies, as if having to deal with an injury per game was not enough. Peter Ingram has serious footwork issues, Neil Broom plays around his front pad far too often, and James Franklin has too few scoring options in his arsenal to be a frontline batsman. And yet, Vettori seems dogmatic in the belief that Scott Styris is below them in the pecking order. More than the absent Ryder and Taylor, NZ need a Grant Elliott-type accumulator in the middle; maybe the nondescript Gareth Hopkins can fill that role for the time being. Styris could be moved up if Ross Taylor is still unfit.

I'm not counting NZ out of this series just yet - despite the fitness card which makes depressing reading - but Australia will likely only get better over the next three games. I'd hate to think a great chance to put them on the back foot was wasted because of this defeat.