he first-ever day-night Test proved to be a resounding success as a nail-biter finished Australia’s way to give them the series. PHOTO: AFP
Shaun Marsh anchored Australia to the cusp of victory before losing his wicket on 49, and the battling Kiwis set up a tense finish under the floodlights by also dismissing Peter Nevill to leave the home side seven wickets down.
Much to the crowd’s relief Peter Siddle, whose ailing grandmother passed
away overnight, cracked the winning runs with a hobbling Mitchell Starc as his batting partner, to clinch a 2-0 series victory over the gallant Black Caps.
The match was redemption for Shaun Marsh, who has struggled to hold down a place in the Australian Test team.
“It was fantastic for Shaun to get an opportunity,” said skipper Steve Smith. “He’s been batting extremely well and the way he played under pressure with his brother to put a partnership together was really crucial for us at that stage.”
The pink ball developed for day-night Tests triumphed over the bat in a fast-paced Test which attracted a total attendance of 123,736 over three days. The aim of the experiment is to bring the crowds back to the long form of the game.
“The bowlers have dominated this game and it’s great for cricket,” added Smith.
It was the first three-day Test match at the Adelaide Oval in 64 years — since the West Indies beat Australia by six wickets.
“I thought it was an outstanding Test match. It was closely fought. We’d dearly have loved an extra few runs today, but it wasn’t to be,” said Kiwi captain Brendon McCullum. “It’s pretty hard to separate the two teams over the last two Test matches.”
Man-of-the-match paceman Josh Hazlewood led the Australian attack in the absence of the injured Mitchell Starc, taking 6-70 off 24.5 overs.
The Kiwis, who had resumed on 116-5, lost their last five wickets for 92. Santner top-scored for the visitors with an impressive 45 off 88 balls.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2015.
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