ADELAIDE, 29 November 2004 — Australia were in complete control of the second Test against New Zealand yesterday, taking an overall lead of 381 after bowling the visitors out for 251 in their first innings reply.
New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming made an elegant 83 but his dismissal was the first of five Kiwi wickets to fall in the post-lunch session of the third day’s play, including Nathan Astle who scored 52.
Fast bowlers Glenn McGrath (4-66) and Jason Gillespie (3-37) took seven wickets between them for Australia, who lead the two-match series 1-0.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting opted not to enforce the follow-on after Australia’s first innings of 575 for eight declared at Adelaide Oval. The hosts reached 57 without loss in their second innings by the close, with Justin Langer on 31 after his first innings 215 and Matthew Hayden 21 not out, becoming the first player to score 1,000 runs in four consecutive calendar years. After New Zealand had resumed on their overnight score of 56 for two, Michael Kasprowicz took the first wicket of the day when he had nightwatchman Paul Wiseman lbw for 11 at 80 for three.
McGrath and Gillespie each took two wickets in the afternoon session before world record-holder Shane Warne claimed his 550th victim.
McGrath triggered the collapse when he had Fleming caught behind after the left-hander shared a 73-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Nathan Astle.
Astle was deceived by a slower ball from McGrath and popped a catch to Langer at short mid-wicket at 178 for five. Gillespie struck twice in five balls, removing first Test century-maker Jacob Oram caught behind for 12 and wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum lbw for 10.
Leg spinner Warne then trapped James Franklin in front for seven.
Middle order batsman Scott Styris, battling a middle ear complaint, which affected his balance and sight, joined Daniel Vettori and they went to tea at 216 for eight.
Vettori was out in the seventh over with the second new ball when he was lbw to McGrath for 20 and Styris was McGrath’s fourth victim after belting 28, including four fours and one six.
Australia were able to set their big total after Langer shared century partnerships with Hayden (70), Ponting (68) and Darren Lehmann (81). Warne (53 not out) and Adam Gilchrist (50) also made half-centuries. Left-arm spinner Vettori took 5-152 from 55.2 overs in blazing heat.
Muralitharan Gets Green Light to Resume Bowling
In Colombo, Sri Lanka’s star spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has fully recovered from surgery and is cleared to resume his international career, possibly with the New Zealand tour, a cricket official said yesterday.
The former world record holder was left out of the 20-member squad for the December-January tour that features five One-Day Internationals and two Test matches, but he could be taken back, spokesman Ray Illangakoon said.
“Doctors have given him the green light to start bowling,” Illangakoon told AFP. “Now he has to start practices and depending on further tests, he could well be included in the squad.”
The star off-spinner has been out of the game since August due to surgery on his bowling shoulder. His Melbourne-based surgeon, David Young, told Muralitharan that he could go back to international cricket, Illangakoon said.
The 32-year-old was Test cricket’s most successful bowler with 532 wickets until Australian Shane Warne overtook him on the recent tour of India and has since pushed his tally to 550.
Muralitharan, whose career was been marred by accusations of chucking, has been banned by the International Cricket Council from bowling the going-away delivery — the ‘doosra’ — because of his controversial action.
