WELLINGTON: Australia have warned of a “fiery clash” in the first Test against New Zealand starting in Wellington on Friday as tensions continue to simmer over the bizarre ODI dismissal of Mitchell Marsh.
Australian captain Steve Smith, who was clearly annoyed at the way Marsh was given out in the third one-day international on Monday, has diplomatically said there was no lasting animosity.
But Australian quick John Hastings gave a blunt warning Wednesday that relations remained strained between the two sides and there would be fireworks, and not just to celebrate New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum’s 100th Test.
It will be “a nice fiery clash, I’m sure there will be plenty on it,” Hastings said as the players took a look at the green Test wicket that offers venom for the quick bowlers.
“They (New Zealand) want to be the ‘big spirit of cricket’ in the ICC, but when it comes down to it, with a big series on the line, you’re obviously going to take that one aren’t you?“
Marsh was given out after a vociferous crowd reaction to replays on the big screen at the ground brought the umpire’s attention to the caught and bowled dismissal.
The replays showed the ball had rebounded off Marsh’s boot and not the ground to be caught by bowler Matt Henry and the batsman was given out.
The loss of the wicket started an Australian collapse that gave New Zealand the game by 55 runs and the series 2-1.
Both sides struggled in the middle order with their batting, but New Zealand go into the Test with their tails up after their overall success.
“I think we just take a bit of confidence,” coach Mike Hesson said.
“Knowing that if we’re able to put Australia under pressure from a batting point of view then that can create opportunities for us.”
The Basin Reserve offers a typical New Zealand green wicket for the first Test, but David Warner expected that would matter less than the swing movement offered by the atmosphere to New Zealand strike bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult.
“The ball will swing for a lot longer than what it does in Australia,” Warner said.
“Looking at the wicket here it looks nice and green, but that’s irrelevant. I don’t think the ball will do much off the wicket.
“It will swing around a lot, and obviously with two world-class swing bowlers in the attack it’s going to be a challenge for us guys at the top of the order.”
Australia still have nightmares of the Ashes Test at Trent Bridge last year when they failed to cope with the swing and were all out for 60 in their first innings.
“Look at Trent Bridge, it was swinging around, you don’t want those memories back again. We just have to adapt to whatever we face on game day,” Warner said.
The last time Australia played at the Basin Reserve, in 2010, they won by 10 wickets.
New Zealand last played at the Basin a year ago and beat Sri Lanka by 193 runs. In a drawn Test against India the previous year, McCullum hit his career best 302, the only triple century scored by a New Zealander.
ODI fallout has Australia fired up for NZ Test
ODI fallout has Australia fired up for NZ Test
Dubai Basketball edge Milan to secure EuroLeague victory
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball strengthened their home-court reputation with a 99-92 win over EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in Round 18 of the EuroLeague at Coca-Cola Arena on Tuesday, cheered on by more than 5,000 fans.
The hosts made a fast start and immediately imposed themselves at both ends of the floor. Canadian center Mfiondu Kabengele and Serbian big man Filip Petrusev controlled the paint early, creating close-range scoring opportunities and forcing Milan into defensive adjustments. With McKinley Wright IV and Dwayne Bacon adding pace and penetration, Dubai surged into a double-digit lead and dictated the tempo of the opening quarter.
Milan struggled to settle and spent much of the first period on the back foot, as Dubai’s advantage stretched to 15 points. Although the visitors steadied themselves as the quarter progressed, the early deficit proved costly.
Dubai head coach Jurica Golemac praised the impact of the home crowd after the game, saying: “Congratulations to the fans. We were missing them for sure in the last home game, and they helped us a lot. In the first quarter, we played one of our best quarters this season. The next game is at home in three days, so there is no time to rest too much. We need to prepare for that game first. We are not thinking three games ahead — we prepare for every game and try to win every game.”
Milan showed improved rhythm in the second quarter, but Dubai responded before the break. Bacon punished defensive lapses from beyond the arc, while Kabengele finished strongly inside to help the hosts take a seven-point lead into halftime.
The final period was defined by composure rather than flair. Milan threatened to draw level on several occasions, but missed free throws and execution errors halted their momentum. Bacon sealed the outcome from the free-throw line in the final two minutes, pushing Dubai back into a double-digit advantage and closing out the contest.
Bacon led all scorers with 25 points, while Wright recorded 19 points and nine assists. Kabengele added 17 points, and Petrusev contributed 13 points and seven rebounds. For Milan, Guduric topped the scoring with 11 points, alongside seven rebounds and seven assists.
Dubai Basketball now turn their attention to the ABA League, where they remain unbeaten. The team return to Coca-Cola Arena to face Slovenia’s KRKA in Round 12 of the competition.
