HOBART: Fast-bowler Doug Bracewell bowled New Zealand to a sensational seven-run victory in the second Test in Hobart for the Kiwis’ first win in Australia for 26 years.
The Black Caps captured eight for 74 runs for a dramatic win midway through the fourth day. Bracewell finished with six for 40 off 16.4 overs in a match-winning performance to stun the Australians, who appeared on track for victory at 159 for two chasing 241 runs to win.
But the hosts folded spectacularly as David Warner’s unbeaten maiden Test century went in vain with wickets tumbling around him. It was the Black Caps’ first victory in Australia since 1985 as they tied the two-Test series after losing the first match by nine wickets.
Bracewell runs through Australia
Bracewell turned the match around with the wickets of Ricky Ponting (16), Michael Clarke (zero), Michael Hussey (zero), James Pattinson (four), Mitchell Starc (zero) and Nathan Lyon (nine).
New Zealand captain Ross Taylor was elated by Bracewell’s match-winning show.
“He bowled outstandingly for a 21-year-old,” he said. “To come in his third Test and to get Ponting, Clarke and Hussey, that’s something to tell your grandkids about.”
Australia captain Clarke, on the other hand, admitted that his team’s inconsistency at the Test level was causing serious problems.
“You’re seeing some really good patches of individual excellence and as a team too we’re only playing well in patches,” he said. “But then you see the other side where we’re letting ourselves down with very poor performances. We’re inconsistent, which is giving us all a pain in the backside.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 13th, 2011.
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