The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Langer leaves Kiwis in cramps

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 27, 2004

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Sport - Cricket

Langer leaves Kiwis in cramps

ADELAIDE, NOV. 26. Justin Langer led an Australian assault on the New Zealand bowlers with his 20th Test century, as opening partner Matthew Hayden re-ignited the `walk' debate in the second Test at the Adelaide Oval here on Friday.

The left-handed opener scorched out of the starting blocks, taking 23 runs off the first two overs before steadily reaching his third century on the picturesque ground as Australia powered to 327 for three at 3.6 runs an over on the first day.

Langer batted all day to reach 1,021 runs for the year and was unbeaten on 144 in 367 minutes with 19 hits to the fence. Hometown hero Darren Lehmann was not out on 28.

However, the main talking point on a stifling day was Hayden's refusal to `walk' after he appeared to be caught and bowled by off-spinner Paul Wiseman.

Hayden turned his back on English umpire David Shepherd and stood his ground as the Kiwi fieldsmen celebrated and he only left the wicket minutes later when adjudicated by the video umpire.

There has been acrimony in the series over the issue of walking, or batsmen admitting they are out before waiting for the umpire's decision.

New Zealand batsman Craig McMillan accused Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist of being ``righteous'' over the matter during a confrontation over a turned-down appeal in the first Gabba Test last week.

Hayden looked set for his 21st Test century before he advanced down the wicket on 70 to give Wiseman a comfortable return catch.

He is poised to create Test history if he bats a second time in this game as he needs only 10 more runs to become the first player to score 1000 runs in a calendar year for the fourth successive time.

Incredible record

Hayden and Langer shared their 13th Test century partnership with 137 for the first wicket in three hours. The pair has now scored 4,049 runs since coming together during the 2001 Ashes series in England.

Only the West Indian opening pair of Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes (6,482) and Sri Lanka's Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya (4,159) have scored more than the Aussie duo.

Langer reached his 23rd Test half-century off just 75 balls, but cramps restricted his scoring and he added just 33 in the session between lunch and tea, and he registered his 100 in 285 minutes late in the day.

Skipper Ricky Ponting, who scored 242 in last year's Adelaide Test against India, looked in ominous touch before he was deceived by left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori and stumped for 68 off 79 balls with 11 fours.

Ponting, who dominated a 103-run second-wicket stand with Langer, was quickly followed by Damien Martyn who cut Wiseman to Stephen Fleming at slip for seven, leaving the home side at 261 for three.

Blazing start

The Kiwis, beaten by an innings and 156 runs in the first Test, set the tone for a largely unrewarding day when new-ball bowlers Chris Martin and James Franklin were given the treatment in their opening overs.

Langer cover-drove Martin's first ball for four and followed it up with a three. He plundered four boundaries to take 18 off Franklin's opening over.

Langer hit two more fours off Franklin's third over — both crisp cover-drives — to cruise to 31 and put the bowler temporarily out of the attack.

He again feasted on the disappointing Franklin with four fours in his 14th over late in the day, again forcing him out of the attack with figures of none for 84.

Wiseman toiled away to return with two for 56 off 14 overs, while Vettori took one for 74 off 28 long overs. — AFP

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