Cricket: Pattinson destroys New Zealand

Debutant fast-bowler’s five-for hands Australia convincing win in first Test.

BRISBANE:

Fast-bowler James Pattinson enjoyed a dream debut, spearheading Australia to a crushing nine-wicket victory in the first Test against New Zealand inside four days at the Gabba to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Pattinson picked five for 27 including a triple-wicket maiden to help rout New Zealand for just 150 to leave Australia with the formality of chasing just 19 runs. David Warner hit three boundaries off four balls to get the winning runs for the loss of Phil Hughes’ wicket.

Pattinson narrowly missed a hat-trick as he ripped through New Zealand’s top order to put Australia on the path to victory. The 21-year-old went through a superb spell of five for seven in seven overs as the Kiwis capitulated. Bowling at searing pace, he removed Martin Guptill (12), Kane Williamson (0) and Ross Taylor (0) in the space of four balls in his opening over of the day.

Guptill could not keep down a lifter and popped a catch to Usman Khawaja, while Williamson was out two
balls later.

Taylor was caught behind of the next ball to leave Pattinson on a hat-trick. Jesse Ryder barely survived the hat-trick ball as Pattinson finished his eventful over.

The fast-bowler was thrilled with his performance.

“It hasn’t sunk in right now, I’m just happy we’ve won the first Test and got that rolling for us,” he said.

“The selectors pick us so we can try to do a job for them and I’m just happy to do that for the team. It’s a great achievement personally, but it’s great for the team too.”

‘Important to continue the momentum’

Clarke, who now has won three of seven Tests since taking over from Ricky Ponting, said the win was important for the team’s momentum.

“I said after the South Africa series it was important we continued building momentum from Sri Lanka, and it’s no different at the start of the summer,” he said.

“We know we’ve got tough cricket ahead in the second Test and against India as well.”

We need to be tough on ourselves: Taylor

New Zealand captain Taylor said his team had to be tougher on themselves if they were to be competitive.

“Pattinson put the ball in the right areas, but we’ve still got to be harder on ourselves as a batting unit,” he said. “We know Australia are going to come hard at us again. We need to play a lot better than we played today.”

Earlier, off-spinner Nathan Lyon chipped in with three wickets, getting rid of Ryder, Chris Martin and Tim Southee, to finish with seven for the match. 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 5^th, 2011.