Mark Richardson: Would you Adam and Eve it, the Gilchrist hangover strikes again

The perennial party pooper once again gate-crashed and ruined the Black Caps' fun. Adam Gilchrist is simply brilliant and showed yesterday his worth batting at seven for Australia.

So often when you think you are in with a chance with Australia, in comes Gilchrist and, before you know it, they have 400 at a pace that puts you right back under pressure. You have toiled diligently and are nearly into the tail then Gilchrist swings away and you just can't stop haemorrhaging runs. It is one of the game's most frustrating situations and one of the most common when playing Australia.

It's happened so often to New Zealand and all too often in the first test and always leaves a 'Gilchrist hangover' to deal with for the rest of the series.

Stephen Fleming and the Black Caps plot clear and precise plans for each batsman but for Gilchrist it seems to be a case of maybe Dan [Vettori] might get him early, so we place our faith in Dan.

There were calls for Australia to play four seamers in this match and Gilchrist at number six. Well, I believe three seamers and Warne should get the job done and the extra seamer would be redundant. That's not saying Lee shouldn't have played - just that three seamers are enough.

Gilchrist would score runs at six but you can't underestimate the psychological damage it does when, after working hard for half the opposition's scalps, the number seven comes in and blasts you everywhere. The Australians are the best team in the world and with Gilchrist at seven they are also the most balanced team in the world.

But when Craig Cumming got off the mark with a pull shot for four, I felt like ringing everyone I knew and saying: " I told you so!"

Cumming played very well in his maiden innings in test cricket but more importantly he played the shots required to pressure good bowling. Being able to pull and hook with control and also get forward in defence are great skills for the top level.

I touted for Cumming to replace me because I believe he has the tools to succeed. Sure, he got out to the pull shot but he also used it well.

He has more tools than I had. I got by on determination and if Cumming can apply himself mentally we have a very good test opener on our hands. It will get harder from here as the Australians have had a look at him. If there is one thing they are great at, it is setting plans for batsmen they know and then bowling to them with precision.

Marshall? Well not much to say really. Put a Black Cap, black helmet or fern on him and watch him go.

The other thing that made me grin was Lou Vincent. Sure he only made 27 but that's just it. It wasn't zero or a hundred; it was a contribution and a partnership. I'm confident of more from him now he's in the middle order.