Australia 427 & 1/19/ (2.2 ov) defeated New Zealand 295 & 150 (49.4ov, Brownlie 42, Pattinsson 5/27, Lyon 3/19) by 9 wickets: T1/2, D4/5 at the 'Gabba, Brisbane. Australia lead series 1-0 with 1 Test to play.
OK, New Zealand's batting wasn't as inept a display as Australia's 47 all out at Cape Town, but it was still pretty poor, even though James Pattinson's bowling was outstanding. Today he carried on from where he left off on D3, taking three top order wickets in four balls (and nearly completed a hat trick) with the total at 17, still way behind Australia. He took another at 27, after which a couple of modest partnerships featuring Dean Brownlie, whose 42/80b (4x4) again showed a bit more skill, grit and determination than his teammates, took the game beyond lunch and the Australian first innings total. But not enough to stop the home team winning in a canter..
Pattinson was named Player of the Match, ahead of Michael Clarke, for his 11-5-27-5. If he can keep bowling like he did today he could be a force in Australian cricket for a long time (in contrast to his brother who disappeared from the Test scene after one appearance for England).
While the Black Caps had , as they usually do, their moments, they rarely looked like winning, or even drawing, but I did expect a narrower margin than this. The batting was well below par and must pick up by the Second Test if cricket followers (as opposed to triumphalist boosters ) are to be satisfied.
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