Cricket: Sinclair shines among the gloom

Mathew Sinclair stood out like a beacon in the enveloping gloom as New Zealand made a limp start to their Australian tour against New South Wales in Sydney yesterday.

The Australian-born right-hander has a wretched record against his native country, averaging just 12 an innings in six outings against the world No 1 test nation.

However, Sinclair hinted an improvement may be imminent in Brisbane next week after compiling a face-saving 88 as New Zealand were bundled out for 213 in fading light and misty rain.

When rain forced an early close three overs ahead of schedule, New South Wales were 26 for one, with Phil Jaques the man out, caught behind by Gareth Hopkins in James Franklin's first over for eight.

While his top-order batting partners all made a start, Sinclair was the only New Zealander to knuckle down in conditions so overcast the umpires asked for the floodlights to be turned on four hours ahead of the scheduled close.

Sinclair, who will open the New Zealand innings in the first test at the Gabba starting on Thursday, overcame some early jitters running between the wickets with Mark Richardson to steadily grow in stature as the day darkened.

"It was a good chance to face some reasonably good bowlers," he said.

Sinclair received solid support from Jacob Oram, who contributed 26 to a 78-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Crucially Oram exited as tea loomed and Sinclair's demise three overs into the final session ended any hopes of the tourists posting a significant score on a sluggish surface.

With a century beckoning, Sinclair spooned a Matthew Nicholson delivery to Jason Krejza at square-leg to signal a rapid end to the New Zealand innings.

The Black Caps' last five wickets tumbled for just 29 runs. Legspinner Stuart MacGill claimed three victims and came within centimetres of snaring a second hat-trick against New Zealand - seven years after achieving the first during a tour match at Newcastle.

MacGill finished with figures of four for 57.

- NZPA