Australia v New Zealand, 1st Test, Brisbane, 2nd day

Kiwis ruffle Aussie feathers

The Wisden Verdict by Peter English

November 19, 2004

Jacob Oram's flight caused a flutter among the Australians © Getty Images

They may be relatively small and endearing to the rest of the world, but the Kiwis have an amazing ability to irritate Australians. Not many teams ruffle Shane Warne into bowling bouncers and negative wides, or encourage Ricky Ponting to set Brearley-esque boundary fields ... but New Zealand seem to manage it most days.

Warne was easily the most flustered as New Zealand made it through the first session, but he had company as Ponting and Adam Gilchrist waved arms and held conferences. No individual or committee tactic worked, because of Jacob Oram's ability to merge the delicate with the dangerous. Australia gave up 103 runs before lunch, and still had to come back for the final wicket.

Ponting was happy to give Oram singles and target the tailenders for much of the morning. But with one wicket remaining a deep point was the closest outfielder to the batsman - the captain was nonplussed. A lumberjack of a man towering at 1.98cm, Oram, the No. 7, played intelligently and lightly as Australia attempted the strong-arm.

Occasionally Warne has delivered a short ball for shock value and emotional release, but he tried two to Oram. Surprised by the first, Oram almost brought up his century with the second as he clipped it to fine leg. Warne's slow-bowling credentials are not in doubt, but his medium-pace should be limited to pre-Test warm-ups with Jackson, his son.

In between "bouncers", Warne was called by Aleem Dar for a leg-side wide. Now he was really grumpy, and summoned the umpire for a chat. The conversation's upshot was unclear, as Warne steered another ball outside the pads. Despite an appeal, he was called again for his pessimism. Oram was winning the wrestle; Australia were losing control.

Stuck on 92 when the last man, Chris Martin, walked out, Oram milked the deep field for twos to close on his century. Gilchrist ran up to the bowler, his captain jogged across too: there was lots of talk but no-one came up with the right actions.

New Zealand were desperate for Oram's innings. They don't own a collection of glamorous strokeplayers, but their batting is deep. Oram was able to add muscle to their stubborn backbone, and on raising his century exploded with three sixes.

Fortunately for Australia the lunchbreak arrived. On the first day they were slowed down, now they were being hurried and hustled. Whether hanging around or running them around, the Kiwis always find Australia's sensitive side.

Peter English is Australasian editor of Wisden Cricinfo.

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