da casino： The popular comparison between Australia and New Zealand is with two sport-loving siblings
da betcris： Peter English22-Sep-2005
Ricky Ponting must remember the lessons of New Zealand’s 2001-02 tour© Getty Images
The popular comparison between Australia and New Zealand is with two sport-loving siblings. For years Big Brother took a passing interest andexpected no surprises. Any upset was written off as a fluke, and NewZealand gained consolation instead of congratulation. The contests havealways been spirited … and are getting closer.The Trans-Tasman Trophy is fought between the Shaky Isles and a continent,but New Zealand have grown up. Where they once rode behind Richard Hadleeduring home-and-away series wins in 1985-86, the players now walk in line.Three summers ago they eyed their opponents as stubbornly as the All-Blacks during the haka. Over three Tests – two were seriously rain-affected – the sides could not be split. Neither captain left with a victory, but StephenFleming had more to smile about.Apart from two series against India, it was Australia’s toughest assignment since that 16-in-a-row winning streak. New Zealand are struggling with niggles and sniffles this time, and have talked down their chances. Their attack has attracted the pop-gun cliché, and the squad includes Hamish Marshall, a batsman without a maiden first-class century. If they manage a win it will be only their third in a Test Australia. Hadlee set up the first with 9 for 52 and 6 for 71 at the Gabba in 1985-86, and walked off the WACA with 11 wickets and the series three weeks later.But as the younger brother stands taller, the older one doesn’t knowwhether the threat is comical or serious. Ricky Ponting should remember2001-02, because the Kiwis will hit hard. Back then, Steve Waugh donated arun-chase at Brisbane and New Zealand finished just ten runs away from taking aTest remembered for the weather and hulking Chris Cairns boundaries.Hobart was also rain-ruined, but at Perth the world champions-elect wereturned on in a style they had used to dominate opponents.Four New Zealanders reached centuries before Daniel Vettori’s 6 for 87almost allowed them to enforce the follow-on. Safety eventually came lateon the final day for Australia with some generous decisions from the Zimbabweanumpire Ian Robinson. Three Tests have been the maximum for Trans-Tasmanaffairs; that one was crying out for five.Rather than expansion, this summer’s contest has contracted and will bedecided in two matches over 13 days. It may be long enough to determine anAshes winner, but a tourist would be scowled at for taking so little timeover a South Island ski holiday or a north Queensland adventure. Australiaenter from the strength of a final-frontier victory over India, andunder-rating the opposition remains their biggest concern. Walking overBangladesh proves little, although Fleming’s double-century and Vettori’s20 wickets stood out. Weaknesses have been appearing since losing threeTests to England during the winter.Fleming returned from Bangladesh with a mystery illness, Vettori iscarrying a sore shoulder that restricts his throwing more than hisbowling, and Nathan Astle has a wonky back. Shane Bond and Daryl Tuffeyare also missing, and Chris Cairns has retired from Test cricket. Jacob Oram, the allrounder, and the squad of fast bowlers face a tough two weeks.Hopefully Fleming’s illness will not affect his tactical decisions. How hedeals with the Australian batsmen should be a feature of the series. BothWaughs were targeted with short balls last time, and Damien Martyn’scompulsive cutting was exposed. The best captain in the world needs to beready for the globe’s top team.Australia have held the Trans-Tasman Trophy since a 3-0 victory in NewZealand in 1999-2000, a series which included the return of Matthew Haydenand the resurgence of Martyn. Both men will again be watchedclosely as Hayden reacts to a slump in India and Martyn discovers if hecan reach even higher than his subcontinental heroics.A broken thumb has reportedly left Shane Warne without a flipper. Couldthis be a twist on his trick of introducing a new ball with the summer’sfashions? His confidence is high despite the injury that forced him tomiss the final Test of a breakthrough series in India, and he marks hisrun against a favourite opponent.Warne has already suggested Fleming cannot pick his variations, and thetwo are good friends. But Warne plans to “nail him”, “give it to him” andlaugh about it over a beer afterwards. Both teams try to play in the sameold-fashioned, aggressive style and matches are anticipated with grudges.Because of this the players – and the countries – seem closer. Almost likebrothers.Peter English is Australasian editor of Wisden Cricinfo.
