Cricket: Marshall turns on magic

Hamish Marshall thumps a boundary on his way to his maiden test century in Christchurch yesterday. Picture / Reuters

Australia's selectors were as much in the dogbox as their bowlers last night as the much-awaited Massacre on Stevens St got off to an unexpected start.

Billed as the opening bout of a likely 3-0 whitewash, the first day of the transtasman series instead ended with New Zealand handily placed at 265 for three, following a maiden test century from the remarkable Hamish Marshall and some spirited resistance from Craig Cumming.

Marshall, who scored his maiden first-class century only in December, continued to build on an astonishing one-day performance when he reached 103 not out in just his third test, following previous scores of 40 not out in Johannesburg, and 69 at Chittagong.

The 26-year-old right-hander was one of the few New Zealand batsmen to emerge from the one-day series with any credit, and added another magical chapter yesterday as he became the 21st New Zealander to score a century against Australia.

On a day in which the Australian selectors made the scarcely-believable decision to jettison pace sensation Brett Lee, the tourists' attack was milked by Marshall for the best part of five hours, with Michael Kasprowicz and Shane Warne looking the most frustrated.

It might have been even better for New Zealand but for a couple of questionable leg-before decisions, the first from David Shepherd against Stephen Fleming when the total was 56, and the second from Aleem Dar against Lou Vincent at 199 for two.

But whatever the disappointment, the home team were on their feet in unison at 5.20pm as Marshall slashed Jason Gillespie backward of point for four to raise his century.

He punched the air in delight and saluted the standing ovation from the crowd and his team-mates.

Marshall's century was chanceless, the milestone arriving after he had spent 255 minutes on the front line, faced 195 balls and hit 14 boundaries, as well as a bold straight six off Warne before he had reached 50.

A shrewd collector of runs, a batsman who relies more on placement than plunder, he made a typically scratchy start to his innings, but soon found the pace of the wicket and, in turn, more opportunities to play scoring shots.

The other positive development for New Zealand yesterday was the stoic contribution from Cumming, who went a long way towards solving the opening batting dilemma with a gritty 74, in the process featuring with Marshall in a second-wicket partnership of 97.

Opening batsmen have come and gone for New Zealand over the years, but Cumming's composure and organisation will surely have impressed coach John Bracewell, and will almost certainly assure him of selection for the rest of the summer.

Australian coach John Buchanan lamented the fact that his team spilled two catches and missed a run-out, but was full of praise for the New Zealand effort and, particularly, the plan of defiance and patience.

"It's not exactly the first day we would have liked," Buchanan said.

"We definitely would have liked a lot more than three wickets. We understood New Zealand would look to occupy the crease and that's exactly what they did, and they did a very, very good job."

Fleming said last night that the atmosphere in the dressing room was one of satisfaction and relief as the side put the horrors of the one-day series behind them and had the better of Australia for the first time since they arrived last month.

"As the day wore on you could sense the team really enjoying watching the younger players having some success," he said. "It's only day one, but three good sessions could set up the match."