New Zealand battle for survival as Australia close in by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Ground:	Seddon Park, Hamilton
Scorecard:	New Zealand v Australia
Player:	BJ Haddin, MJ North
Event:	Australia in New Zealand 2009/10

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DateLine: 30th March 2010

 

At the end of the day New Zealand was battling for survival while Australia was sensing another Test win. New Zealand was never in the game in the fourth day as they let Australia take control of the proceedings.

 

Resuming the day at 333 for 4, Clarke and North upped the ante as the day progressed. The pair ran the quick singles and found the boundary ropes with regularity that brought frowns on the forehead of Vettori. The pair brought up their respective half centuries before Arnel brought an end to the partnership. Clarke (63, 109b, 11x4) was trapped leg-before by a sharp off cutter from Arnel. That brought in Haddin (48, 40b, 3x6, 4x4) who was in an attacking mood. The keeper-batsman went after the Kiwi bowling as it was evident that the Australian declaration was on cards. North (90, 135b, 1x6, 16x4) who was in sight of his second century on the tour had a heartbreak when he was caught behind of Vettori.

 

Just when it seemed that the hosts would be wiping out the lower order resistance came in the form of Hauritz (41 not out, 62b, 2x6, 5x4) as the lead stretched to mammoth propositions.

 

Set a target of 479 to win, Mitchell Johnson nipped out the openers with some exhibition of some aggressive bowling. The left-armer removed the openers with pace and swing before he accounted for the dangerous Taylor (22, 42b, 3x4) with a beautiful off-cutter. Vettori (22, 32b, 3x4) playing his hundredth Test match was trapped leg-before by Hauritz as the Kiwis crumbled. Guptill (29 batting, 78b, 4x4) and McCullum (19 batting, 40b, 4x4) then held their nerve as they took New Zealand to 185 for the loss of 5 wickets.