Cricket: Bowlers under the cosh again

New Zealand's hopes of extending the second test into the fifth day received an unexpected boost yesterday when they turned on a frightful bowling effort and all but guaranteed Australia a huge first innings total.

Badly damaged after their capitulation at Brisbane, the New Zealanders strung together their third sub-standard performance in a row at Adelaide, the home team romping through to 327 for three at stumps, courtesy of an unbeaten 144 from Justin Langer.

Unless New Zealand can quickly remove Langer or his overnight partner Darren Lehmann (28 not out) this morning, the Australians seem likely to march on to a 500-plus total, leaving their opposition the unenviable task of trying to save the test.

From Chris Martin's first ball of the match, which Langer eased through the covers for four, New Zealand consistently served up a diet of full half-volleys or rank short-pitched deliveries, ensuring a rampant beginning for the Australian openers.

The left-handed pair again wrought havoc in the New Zealand attack, forging through to 137 before Hayden was caught and bowled off Paul Wiseman for 70, an event that so traumatised the batsman that he had to be convinced by the third umpire.

Even then, there was no let-up to the boundary-hitting or the scoring rate, as Ricky Ponting added 68 off 79 balls, punching his signature drives down the ground, hooking and pulling anything short, and punctuating his 68 with 11 boundaries.

The only real consolation for New Zealand were the wickets of Ponting and Damien Martyn in the final session, although Australia still have plenty of batting to come and it would be a surprise if they were unable to capitalise on their start.

Less palatable for the tourists was the thought that they have now been on the ropes since the third day of the opening test, and are now facing another uphill battle to prove competitive at Adelaide, in temperatures reaching 37C.

First there was the bowling effort at the Gabba when New Zealand conceded a 10th-wicket record, then there was the batting performance the following day when they were routed for 76, and now this, another hopelessly erratic display from the attack.

Left-armer James Franklin suffered the worst, conceding four boundaries off his first over in the morning session and then suffering a similar fate with the second new ball late in the day when Langer flayed another quartet of fours off his 14th over.

He eventually finished the day with none for 84 off 14 overs, having given up 16 boundaries in total.

It was a difficult time for Franklin, who is naturally inclined to pitch the ball fuller in the search for swing and is seldom the same force if he receives no assistance in the air.

Wiseman was the pick of the bowlers, having the last laugh on his main persecutor Ricky Ponting, who had made a point of attacking the New Zealand off-spinner, and at one stage struck him for five boundaries.

However, Wiseman picked up his 56th test wicket when Ponting charged with a pre-meditated drive, missed, and Brendon McCullum did well to effect a difficult stumping.

There had been some discussion about Wiseman's capabilities against Australia, but he vindicated his selection five overs later when he had Damien Martyn smartly caught at slip by Fleming, and gave his side a glimmer of hope.

From there, however, it was all downhill for the New Zealanders, as Franklin was again put to the sword and Langer and Lehmann were able to establish their partnership, ensuring their influence would be carried into the second day.