Cricket: Pair's record stand buries detractors

Michael Clarke. Photo / Getty Images

Each had his own motivation but once combined it proved a masterstroke for Michael Clarke and Marcus North on a perfect batting wicket at the Basin Reserve.

Their 253-run, record fifth-wicket partnership went a considerable way to batting New Zealand out of the first test.

It pulverised the Black Caps' morale and their deliveries into all but submission by the declaration with three and a half days to play.

The stand surpassed the 213 set by Greg Ritchie and Greg Matthews, also in Wellington, just over 24 years ago.

The pair fell 11 runs short of the all-time best against New Zealand, made by Ian and Greg Chappell for the third wicket, in the summer of 1973-74.

Clarke's hallmark was immaculate footwork, be it coming down the pitch to Daniel Vettori - his eventual undoing for a test best 168 - or his balance on the front foot, caressing cover drives when the New Zealand bowlers over-pitched in the forlorn hope of getting extra late swing.

A century on the first day exorcised any demons Clarke may have had over the demise of his engagement to Lara Bingle, and he went on to make the most of a tame strip.

The Black Caps' punishment was a regular trip to pick up the ball beneath the pickets.

In contrast, North was a wall of solid defence, punctuated by bludgeoned slog-sweeps off Vettori and a willingness to hook and pull when the medium-pacers dropped short.

His unbeaten 112 - including a scratchy top edge off Chris Martin to bring up his century - was the perfect response to calls for his axing after averaging just 10.25 from four innings in the most recent series against Pakistan. The Basin Reserve ground staff may have saved his test career.

"I've worked hard the three days leading into the test and it was nice to sleep overnight with 50-odd not out," said North.

"Without doubt, the pressure was there. When you haven't made a lot of runs in the last couple of months and there's speculation about your position, it's not a great feeling.

"I made a few subtle changes. My eyes weren't as level as I thought. Changing that enabled me to assess each ball better, especially playing down the ground. It was something small but when you get to this level it's those little things that make the difference."

The New Zealand right-arm, medium-fast quartet suffered for their monotony - an inability to post speeds in the 140km/h bracket as Australia did regularly - did not help the cause.

Clarke and North had plenty of time to play their shots. The pair looked relaxed and never tired. While the bowlers put the ball in the right areas for the most part, the patience of the Australian batsmen inevitably conquered.

"I think at times, batting with Clarkie, we felt we were getting tested," North said.

"The Black Caps bowlers were hitting a back of a length consistently and had some good spells. We certainly worked hard, but it's a pretty good batting wicket."

New Zealand vice-captain Ross Taylor says his side's tiredness seeped into the second day:

"With Clarke and North being right and left-handed we weren't able to put pressure on and we continued to lapse by bowling the odd one down legside."

There is no question all four bowlers have earned their spots. Brent Arnel toiled particularly hard on debut for his two wickets. It would be a struggle to find anyone else on the domestic scene at present to fill the void.

However the question remains: can they take 20 wickets in the second test? The answer would be 'unlikely', unless Seddon Park groundsman Karl Johnson confiscates the mower and puts his Waikari clay pitch on regular moisture diet over the next week.

Captain Vettori would not be human if he hadn't rued the recent loss of Shane Bond's pace or Iain O'Brien's willingness to toil accurately and searchingly into the blustery northerly.

The vigorously rubbed crimson stain on his strides and the regular pacing with hands behind his back in the field were testament to that.