1st Test: Vettori steadies the ship

Former captain launches fightback after Australia dominate

BRISBANE: Daniel Vettori helped steady New Zealand’s innings at 176 for five after Australia’s inexperienced bowling attack threatened to skittle the tourists on the rain-curtailed opening day of the first Test.

Injury-hit Australia handed debuts to pacemen Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson, as well as opening batsman David Warner. All three played integral roles as the hosts reduced New Zealand to 96 for five in the first over after lunch.

Former captain Vettori launched a fightback with a battling 45 in an unbeaten partnership of 80 with Dean Brownlie (32*) to rescue the innings before bad weather halted play just before tea.

Earlier, the Blacks Caps elected to bat, with opener Brendon McCullum taking the game to the hosts in typically aggressive fashion. The 30-year-old drove his side to 44 without loss before his partner Martin Guptill was dismissed by Peter Siddle.

Starc, who finished with two for 52, grabbed the first of his two wickets on the final ball of his fifth over to remove McCullum for 34, tempting the former wicket-keeper into an attempted cut, which left Warner with an easy catch at point.

Finger spinner Nathan Lyon, playing his first match at the Gabba,, got his reward for a fine spell before lunch when Kane Williamson popped the ball to Usman Khawaja for 19.

Pattinson, who gave up 50 runs in his 11 overs, rounded out a good morning for Australia when Taylor swung at a full delivery and edged the ball onto his stumps for just 14.

Starc pleased with performance

“It is a day I will never forget,” said the 21-year-old Starc. “Just to get that baggy green is an extremely proud moment for me and then to get a couple of wickets is just fantastic.”

Starc was given his baggy green cap by Australia legend Richie Benaud.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 2^nd, 2011.