James Franklin provided the only ray of light in an otherwise bleak cricketing forecast yesterday, interrupting Australia's march with a career-high six-wicket bag.
The left-armer took another step towards a fulltime position in the test squad when he spearheaded a belated fightback, taking the steam out of Australia's first innings
charge and cutting off Adam Gilchrist in his prime.
Having suffered at the hands of the Australians in the previous two tests, Franklin took four of the six opposition wickets to fall yesterday, mopping up the tail to end with six for 119 off 26.1 overs and push his career tally to 32 wickets.
The haul was the best from a New Zealander against Australia since Daniel Vettori captured six for 87 in the third test at Perth in late 2001.
"It's very satisfying because they're the greatest team in the world at the moment and you have to work bloody hard for every wicket," Franklin said.
"To get a five-wicket bag in any form of cricket is good, but in a test match against Australia it's extra special, and I'm rapt with the result."
The Wellington paceman, who gave New Zealand some early hope when he chipped out the Australian openers on Sunday, returned yesterday to send back Simon Katich, Shane Warne, Michael Kasprowicz and Glenn McGrath.
His success was even more significant as it left danger man Gilchrist marooned on 60 not out, an effort that almost certainly saved his side from another terrible pasting through the middle and final sessions.
He said bowling to Gilchrist throughout the series had been an education.
"It's tough. The margin of error against most of the Australians is small enough, but against him it's even smaller, and that makes life very difficult for the bowlers."
Franklin has already taken his maiden five-wicket bag in tests, snaring five for 28 against Bangladesh at Dhaka last year, including a hat-trick.
However, his effort at Eden Park yesterday was a far greater achievement, as it was posted against one of the best batting line-ups and came at a time when he was under intense pressure to deliver with the second new ball.
"The new ball was swinging a little, but against these guys your length is probably more important."
