"I think Marnus Labuschange reads my blog..."

This is how I might have woken my wife when I got into bed after Day 2's play.

The first reply was "What? I don't know what that is?" I excitedly replied he's the Australian first drop and was is rated the second best batter in the world according to current ICC rankings. Her response after approx 4 seconds of silence was a long exhale and a roll over grabbing the doona that momentarily could have represented a crocodile in northern Queensland in the process of taking down another tourist unaware of the impending danger.

As the Australians resume their innings on 61 for the loss of The Pool Cleaner, there was clear evidence that this blog had made it into the dressing sheds. The theme of the Tortoise and the Hare was one introduced for the series, with the Green Caps getting out to a rapid start. However, when playing from in front, is there a need for haste? The Conductor doesn't think so. with a strike rate of 10 at the beginning of the days play, there were times he elevated to 15. There was one point I watched 4 consecutive maidens, and the fifth over only contained a single.

However, when the end came 82 balls later, for a tally of 9 runs, it took a very clean left handed catch from Dud Root off a 🍑 of a delivery from Fire & Wood. While the Root/Wood combo worked a treat on this occasion, should Draco get half the wicket for his effort. If you can believe this, the ball before Marnus' dismissal, he has gone up to the stumps and switched the bails. It is well known how superstitious The Conductor is, and I feel that this incident is not going to help Marnus become more laid back about cricket in the future...

Anyway, 2/91 off 43 overs when Smudge strides out to his favourite strip in the world. It's not often when someone can say they've score 3 times as many centuries at a venue than 50's and averages 93. While The Pro was watchful, Smith showed intent. It was disappointing to see Khawaja fall to Draco for 47, but with a strike rate of under 30, more was required to turn over the strike (particularly being a left/right combo) - a criticism of him and Marnus while against Wood - Khawaja only faced 2 balls from his spell. Now the opportunity was with the middle order leftie from South Australia to play some "Headball" - not sure that will catch on... Disappointingly, he knicked off to Broad for just one boundary. The Bison followed 7 overs later for 16, then Carey also feeling the 7 over itch for just 2 scoring shots (a four and a six). When Starc gave Wood another scalp, the visitors were 7/185 and in danger of pissing away a reasonable start; and the issue remained that our tail hadn't done much since they won the first test.

Well, it seemed like Postman was also a reader of my blog. References to his inability to hit water if he fell from a canoe came as an awakening to him to release his hands and absolutely friggin' flog the ball through the off and across the line of the opportunity came - and that's what he did. And when Smudge departed for a well-crafted 71 (below his ground average, therefore I'm calling a 'failure') Postman found an able ally in Dan Murphy, who proceeded to 34 off 39, including 3 sixes, and take the visitors to a first innings lead. With moments remaining in the day's play, Postman tried to elevate Root but was dismissed for 36 and the Aussies hold a slender 12 run lead on their first innings. Ahhh, the tension. This truly is a test in the balance - even the live odds believe that to be true, although I'm not sure I want to be backing the draw at $8.50...

Day 3 here we come.

JT