Australia's inexperienced bowling attack had New Zealand in trouble early on the opening day of the first Test at the Gabba on Thursday. The Black Caps, bidding for their first victory across the Tasman for 26 years, were struggling at 94 for four at lunch after winning the toss under cloudy skies.
Published: Dec 01, 2011, 10:09 AM (IST)
Edited: Dec 01, 2011, 10:09 AM (IST)
Mitchell Starc of Australia is congratulated by his team mates after taking his first ever test wicket during day one of the First Test match between Australia and New Zealand at The Gabba © Getty Images
Brisbane: Dec 1, 2011
Australia’s inexperienced bowling attack had New Zealand in trouble early on the opening day of the first Test at the Gabba on Thursday.
The Black Caps, bidding for their first victory across the Tasman for 26 years, were struggling at 94 for four at lunch after winning the toss under cloudy skies.
Australia’s four bowlers, including debutants James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc, each grabbed a wicket.
Brendon McCullum hammered Pattinson for three fours in the bowler’s first over in Test cricket, including two exquisite cover drives to the boundary.
Left-armer Starc claimed a minor victory when he hit McCullum on the helmet with a menacing bouncer that left the Kiwi dasher on his back.
Australia made their first breakthrough with the wicket of Martin Guptill for 13 in the 11th over.
Siddle, leading the inexperienced Australian pace attack in his 26th Test match, got an edge which wicketkeeper Brad Haddin snapped up, leaving the Black Caps at 44 for one inside the first hour.
McCullum was out for 34 in a careless dismissal, bottom-edging a square cut to David Warner to give fellow debutant Starc his first Test wicket in his sixth over.
Captain Ross Taylor had a “life” on four when he was put down by Usman Khawaja at bat-pad off Pattinson before Kane Williamson was out for 19.
Williamson played across his pads to finger spinner Nathan Lyon and flicked a head-high catch to Khawaja close in to the bat leaving the Kiwis at 78 for three.
Pattinson got the big wicket of Taylor, who dragged a wide delivery on to his stumps for 14 nearing lunch.
Australia left paceman Ben Cutting out of the starting eleven, which contained three debutants — Pattinson, Starc and Warner.
The Black Caps omitted fast bowler Trent Boult and brought in veteran off-spinner Daniel Vettori, who sat out the warm-up four-day game against Australia A in Brisbane. (AFP)
Brief Scores: New Zealand 94 for 4 (Brendon McCullum 34; Nathan Lyon 1 for 14) vs Australia
