Hamish Marshall points at the dream Jade Stadium batting surface on which he scored a memorable test cricket century yesterday as a reason why his first-class figures are by comparison so poor.
On a welcome gleeful rather than gloomy day for New Zealand against Australia, a jubilant Marshall's 103 led them
to 265 for three and the chance to drive home an unbeatable position today.
Already a contender for New Zealand's player of the tour, Marshall fielded the inevitable question about his forgettable first-class numbers after he ably defied Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz and superspinner Shane Warne.
In 51 first-class matches since his debut in February 1999, Marshall averages 27.51, having only scored his first century in December, for Northern Districts against Central Districts in Napier.
For New Zealand his results have gone through the roof.
In 35 one-day internationals it is 1031 runs at 38.18 and from just three test innings stretching back to his South Africa debut in 2000, the average stood at a staggering 212 last night.
Marshall grins from under the peak of his black cap, answers with a wry "I'm not too sure" then gives his version of why he leaps so high from first-class to international level.
"I do enjoy this level, once you get in and have a taste for it you want to stay there as long as possible," he said after batting for 266 minutes yesterday, facing 198 balls and hitting 14 fours and a straight six off Warne.
"At this level the wickets are generally a lot better, you play at the main grounds so it makes it a lot easier."
"You're amongst quality players all the time and it helps as a young player to play with the senior players who put their hand up regularly."
Playing the majority of his first-class matches at Hamilton's Westpac Park, where the pitch has gone downhill fast in recent years, wouldn't have helped.
Besides being the all-round good guy of the New Zealand team, Marshall has a temperament to match and there wasn't much fazing him against the world champions.
Renowned for their sledging, the Australians didn't verbally go after Marshall yesterday and all showed their respect by applauding when he cut Gillespie for four and punched the air on bringing up his century just before stumps.
"It wasn't too bad. They were doing enough with the ball to keep you under pressure mentally. They're always pretty chirpy, they let you know you're there.
"It was a huge relief. To be in the 90s and get so close, to actually get there is a very special occasion."
Australia meanwhile did more wrong than right yesterday to give New Zealand a welcome sniff.
First they omitted speedster Brett Lee to audible sighs of relief from the home side; Ricky Ponting chose to bowl first on another Jade Stadium 'road'; and there were two crucial misses in the slips cordon.
Craig Cumming was spilled by Warne on 43 on the way to an impressive 74 on debut while captain Stephen Fleming was dropped by Langer on five ? both off McGrath.
Fleming scored 18 before being trapped in front by Warne.
The big test for New Zealand will be how they kick on from a strong position after their England tour woes last year. In all three tests they started well only to let it slip with middle order collapses and loose bowling as they lost 0-3.
"It's why you don't talk about the game too far ahead," Fleming said.
"We are really concentrating hard on each session and what it's going to take to put them under pressure. It's a good day but it's nowhere near where we need to be." - NZPA
Hamish Marshall points at the dream Jade Stadium batting surface on which he scored a memorable test cricket century yesterday as a reason why his first-class figures are by comparison so poor.
On a welcome gleeful rather than gloomy day for New Zealand against Australia, a jubilant Marshall's 103 led them
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