Cricket: Brownlie stands tall as Black Caps flop

Dean Brownlie of New Zealand bats during day two of the first test. Photo / Getty Images

It took an Australian to show New Zealand's batsmen how to bat against the Aussies in the first test flop at Brisbane.

Dean Brownlie, born and raised in Perth but courtesy of a Christchurch-born father, eligible for New Zealand, stood tallest amid the wreckage of two dismal batting displays at the Gabba as New Zealand slumped to a nine-wicket loss inside four days.

And he admitted his formative years helped him en route to a double of 77 not out and 42 on the bouncy Brisbane pitch.

''I've tried to get a technique which hopefully serves me well on all surfaces," the 27-year-old said.

''So far so good and hopefully it continues."

He played straight and as late as possible, and with a solid back foot base, all traits picked up in Western Australia where the pitches tend to offer more pace and bounce than anywhere in the country, possibly apart from Brisbane.

How good was Brownlie at Brisbane?

He batted a total of 375 minutes and faced 236 deliveries. The other top five batsmen collectively managed 367 minutes and 236 balls.

Only former skipper Dan Vettori, whose 96 and 17 double took 260 minutes and 190 balls, were remotely comparable.

Brownlie moved to Christchurch in 2009, has scored 1108 first-class runs at 55.4 in 17 matches for Canterbury, caught the eye of national coach, and selector, John Wright, and has grabbed his chance impressively.

He played two T20 internationals against Pakistan last season, made 61 on his test debut in Zimbabwe last month and the Australian test showed he is making all the right moves.

''I just tried to stick to what I do for Canterbury and it seemed to pay off," he said.

''Obviously growing up on hard, fast wickets you've got to be strong on the back foot.
A lot of my game centres around that. So I just try to stick with what I know."

His father Jim flew across from Perth for the test, along with a brother, Shane, and several mates.

Brownlie admitted playing against the land of his birth, and the team he supported through his teens and early twenties was surreal.

''Two years ago I was playing club cricket in Christchurch. I never thought I'd be at the Gabba playing a test, so it was awesome."

Brownlie said he had a long way to go to feel he belonged in test cricket but ''I'd like to think I am on the way".

He doubted he'd ever get a look in for Western Australia so decided to try his luck in New Zealand.

''I didn't think I was that close to selection in WA. I was scoring a few runs but the quality of players meant I wasn't really getting a look in, and probably didn't demand a spot so that's fair enough."

Wright was happy with what he saw of Brownlie in the test.

''He's made a good start," the 82-test veteran said.
''That bodes well for our future. I liked the way he went about his innings and certainly he went out and batted with a lot of determination.

''He played well off the back foot and played under his eyes. That's an extremely valuable asset on wickets in Australia."

And if he's got some tips about how to bat in Australian conditions, there's a group of batsmen he's travelling with who should be listening.