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With Karunaratne leading the Test side, this is the first time Sri Lanka have three different captains

Madushka Balasuriya30-Dec-2023Dasun Shanaka’s reign as Sri Lanka’s white-ball captain has come to an end as Sri Lanka’s new selection committee appointed Kusal Mendis and Wanindu Hasaranga to lead the ODI and T20I sides, respectively. With Dimuth Karunaratne currently leading the Test side, this is the first time Sri Lanka have three different captains in the three formats.Shanaka first captained Sri Lanka in 2019, on the team’s first tour to Pakistan since the 2009 Lahore attack, but it was not until 2021 that he became their regular captain. Under him, Sri Lanka won 23 out of 41 ODIs and 22 out of 48 T20Is. The highlight of his tenure was the 2022 T20 Asia Cup victory in the UAE where Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in the final.Also notable were ODI series wins against South Africa and Australia, and a T20I series win against India, all at home. Shanaka also oversaw Sri Lanka’s unbeaten run through the 2023 World Cup Qualifier. But all these achievements were interspersed with poor showings in the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups as well as the 2023 ODI World Cup.However, it was his poor form with the bat, primarily in ODIs, that put him under the most scrutiny and made people question his place in the side. As such, it was widely expected that the new selection committee would look elsewhere in terms of the captaincy.His replacements, Mendis and Hasaranga, both have recent experience in leadership roles. Mendis is a former Under-19 captain and the current skipper of Dambulla Aura in the LPL. Midway through the 2023 ODI World Cup, he took over the reins from Shanaka when the latter got injured. Hasaranga, who is currently recovering from a hamstring surgery, had earlier this year led B-Love Kandy to their inaugural LPL title.Shanaka may still play a role in Sri Lanka’s white-ball set-ups after he was named in the preliminary squads for the limited-overs series against Zimbabwe at home in January.

Squad’s overseas roster of 14 dominated by players from England and Afghanistan; questions remain over Moeen’s availability

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Aug-2022Moeen Ali, Dawid Malan, Evin Lewis, Mohammad Nabi and Chris Woakes are among the 14 internationals signings snapped up by Sharjah Warriors for the inaugural International League T20 (ILT20).England allrounder Moeen was also signed up by Johannesburg Super Kings (from the owners of the IPL’s Chennai Super Kings) in South Africa’s new T20 league, which is scheduled to run largely alongside the ILT20 in January-February next year. That aside, Moeen is also expected to be part of England’s limited-overs squad that, as per the ICC’s new Future Tours Programme, is due to play three ODIs in South Africa in end-January and early February 2023.Noor Ahmad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Naveen-ul-Haq, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Chris Benjamin, Danny Briggs, Mark Deyal, Bilal Khan and JJ Smit complete the rest of the 14, with Bilal and Smit the two mandated Associate players (from Oman and Namibia respectively) in the squad. Kohler-Cadmore, Benjamin and Deyal are uncapped in international cricket.The franchise, owned by Capri Global, a non-banking financial company based in India, will draft four UAE players in due course. The league is expected to allow nine overseas players in the XI for each game.An overlap in the schedule – leading to a premium on top players – is also expected with Australia’s Big Bash League (December-January) and the Bangladesh Premier League (January-February).Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and MI Emirates are the other ILT20 teams to have announced their overseas roster so far.Sharjah Warriors squad so far: Moeen Ali (Eng), Dawid Malan (Eng), Evin Lewis (WI), Mohammad Nabi (Afg), Chris Woakes (Eng), Noor Ahmad (Afg), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afg), Naveen-ul-Haq (Afg), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Eng, uncapped), Chris Benjamin (Eng uncapped), Danny Briggs (Eng), Mark Deyal (WI, uncapped), Bilal Khan (Oman), JJ Smit (Namibia)

Sri Lanka lost five wickets in 42.1 overs possible on day three

Andrew Fidel Fernando31-Mar-2021Stumps Day 3 West Indies made substantial headway in the 42.1 overs that were possible on a rain-hit day three, claiming five Sri Lanka wickets as they conceded just 114 runs. When a final, play-ending squall arrived part-way through the third session, Sri Lanka were still 104 runs behind West Indies’ 354, with just two wickets in hand.The only real spot of brightness for the visitors was the batting of Pathum Nissanka, who followed up his debut century from the first Test by compiling a cautious 49 not out off 119. He struck only four boundaries, but seemed Sri Lanka’s most-assured batsman on day three while wickets fell around him, showing encouraging powers of concentration through a stop-start innings thanks to the rain breaks. He had Lasith Embuldeniya for company when stumps was eventually called.West Indies’ bowlers were themselves disciplined and meticulous for most of day three, and they essentially outlasted several Sri Lanka batsmen. Of the five to fall, Jason Holder took two wickets, while Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph and Jermaine Blackwood’s part-time offspin claimed one apiece.Dinesh Chandimal was the first Sri Lanka wicket to fall, having been worn down by the short ball from Gabriel. He had been dropped – also off Gabriel – on 35 several overs earlier and his eventual dismissal on 44 was the result of a mistimed hook which settled comfortably in the hands of the deep square leg fielder, substitute Hayden Walsh Jr., who ran in to take the catch. On a track that did not offer steepling bounce, this short ball was the first that really leapt up to chest height and followed Chandimal. His wicket ended Sri Lanka’s most productive partnership, having put on 75 off 186 balls together with Dhananjaya de Silva.The dismissal of de Silva for 39 shortly before rain arrived for the first time to cut the first session slightly short will perhaps be the one Sri Lanka rue the most. Not only did de Silva seem assured – if reticent – against West Indies’ bowling, he also should not have been given lbw against Blackwood. He was batting on 39 off 139 balls when Blackwood spun one into his front pad. Although he was hit in front of middle stump, the ball always seemed to be turning sharply. He didn’t even consider a review, but ball-tracking projections showed that the ball would be turning past leg stump.After lunch, less than 21 overs were played, and yet Sri Lanka still lost three wickets in that time. Niroshan Dickwella was the first to fall against the second new ball, inside-edging Holder to the wicketkeeper as the ball also grazed thigh pad on the way through. Unlike most of his compatriots, Dickwella was busy at the crease and scored at close to a run-a-ball, but managed only 20 before being dismissed. Suranga Lakmal didn’t hang around long, flicking Joseph aerially to short mid-on several overs later. Dushmantha Chameera battled gamely for 26 deliveries while Nissanka progressed at the other end, but edged Holder behind in the little period of play that was possible in the third session.Sri Lanka will be particularly disappointed that so many of their batsmen got starts, only Dimuth Karunaratne failed to reach 15, but that only Lahiru Thirimanne – who made 55 – has so far completed a half-century. They are left relying on Nissanka, their most junior batsman, to close the large gap between themselves and the opposition when play resumes on day four.

James Pattinson and Michael Neser remain the reserve quick bowlers in the 13-man squad

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Dec-2019Cameron Bancroft has been left out of Australia’s 13-man squad for the Test series against New Zealand, which starts in Perth next week, in an otherwise unchanged group from the one which swept Pakistan 2-0 with a brace of innings victories.James Pattinson, who was ruled out of the opening Test against Pakistan after his code of conduct suspension, and the uncapped Michael Neser remain the support pace-bowling options.Rotation was a theme among Australia’s pace attack in the Ashes but barring any injuries it would be a surprise if they changed the current trio for the opening Test against New Zealand. Mitchell Starc, who took 14 wickets at 17 in the two Tests, grimaced at times in Pakistan’s second innings in Adelaide, but Tim Paine was confident there was no significant concern.”We’re lucky not only because of how good [the quick bowlers] are but they’re great athletes as well,” he said. “Starcy has a bit of a cut on his big toe, he did land awkwardly at one stage yesterday but that was fine. Most of his grimacing today…I think he’s waiting the nail to come off the big toe which happens to a lot of fast bowlers and until it actually happens it can be quite painful. He’s battling a little bit with that but nothing he hasn’t gone through before.”Bancroft was the spare batsman for the Brisbane and Adelaide Tests and will remain a standby player, but has not been officially included this time. The selection chairman, Trevor Hohns, has left it open to add a player to the squad if conditions dictate which could be the case in Sydney where two spinners may be an option.Bancroft was released ahead of the Adelaide Test to play in the Sheffield Shield match against South Australia where he made 12 and 23 to continue a lean first-class season, his first-innings dismissal seeing him caught at leg gully for the fifth time this summer.Given the dominance of Australia’s top order against Pakistan – and the two innings wins – some of the batsmen have had limited time in the middle with Travis Head and Tim Paine batting just one in the series.”As we said prior to the Pakistan series we are striving to maintain a core group of players,” Hohns said. “The performance of the team against Pakistan was very impressive across all areas, while there is always some room to improve”We are backing the current batting line-up to continue their form across the next three Tests. Whilst not a part of this squad, Cameron Bancroft remains one of the standby players. Similarly, depending on conditions, we reserve the right to add a player to the squad at any time during the Series.”Michael [Neser] will play for Queensland against New South Wales in the Marsh Sheffield Shield game at the SCG, as James [Pattinson] did last week for Victoria.”The round of Sheffield Shield matches which begins on Saturday is the final one before the competition breaks for the BBL.Squad David Warner, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, Travis Head, Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson, Michael Neser

China has long been described as a dormant superpower, but where cricket is concerned, it is clearly still in the deepest of slumbers

Andrew Miller10-Oct-2018Nepal 29 for 0 (Bhandari 24*) beat China 26 (Lamichhane 3-4, Regmi 3-5) by ten wickets
ScorecardChina has long been described as a dormant superpower, but where cricket is concerned, it is clearly still in the deepest of slumbers.It took their next-door neighbours Nepal just 1.5 overs to hunt down a miniscule total of 26, as China slumped to their fifth defeat out of five in the ICC’s latest regional qualifier for the next World T20 in 2020.With a population of approximately 1.5 billion people, China has a burgeoning and focussed interest in global sporting prowess – from their hosting of the 2008 Olympics to the recent relaunch of the super-rich China Super League, they aim to create a GBP500 billion dollar sports industry by 2025.But where cricket is concerned, China remains way off the pace – despite the best endeavours of the former Bangladesh captain, Aminul Islam, who described himself as the “Neil Armstrong of Chinese cricket” when he was appointed by the Asian Cricket Council a decade ago oversee the growth of the game in the country.”We are putting extra effort into China, because without China, cricket is not a global sport,” Aminul told ESPNcricinfo back in 2010. On the current evidence, the sport will remain a second-class citizen for some years to come.In today’s non-contest, just one Chinese batsman, Hong Jiang Yan reached double figures – opening the batting he made 11 from 27 balls, having made scores of 1, 0, 1 and 1 in his first four outings of the tournament.Seven of their players made ducks, two of them falling to Nepal’s star of the show, the 18-year-old legspinner, Sandeep Lamichhane, who returned the stunning figures of 3 for 4 in four overs to take his tally for the tournament to 20 wickets in 17 overs at an average of 2.05.In reply, Nepal’s openers galloped to their total in an 11-ball flurry – with Binod Bhandari clobbering 24 of those in eight deliveries, with three fours and a six.Nepal have now won five games out of five, with a top-of-the-table showdown to come against Singapore on Friday. Both sides have already secured their progression to next year’s WT20 Asian finals, with Nepal sealing their berth with their 117-run win over Bhutan on Tuesday.For China, it’s back to the drawing board – although they have one last outing to come against Malaysia on Friday. And given that Malaysia themselves reduced Myanmar to 9 for 8 in another extraordinary contest on Tuesday, the portents are great.On the plus side, China still have time to get their ambitions in order before these beatings take on any official status. The ICC recently announced that all T20Is would be given full international status, but effective only from January 1, 2019.Fortunately, that edict won’t be extended to 50-over contests, in which China’s record is no better. In April 2017, they lost by 390 runs to Saudi Arabia after being bowled out for 28 in a World League Qualifier.

Everything is going to plan for Worcestershire who will hope for a matchwinning flourish by R Ashwin on the final day

ECB Reporters Network30-Aug-2017Daryl Mitchell has put Worcestershire in a strong position•Getty Images

Daryl Mitchell scored his fifth Specsavers County Championship century of the campaign as Worcestershire set Gloucestershire a 401 target at New Road.The 33-year-old opening batsman put a recent lean spell behind him – 33 runs from the previous six innings – in making an accomplished 130.Then star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin struck two early blows as Gloucestershire closed on 55-3.As on many occasions throughout his lengthy career, Mitchell, the curent PCA chairman, provided the glue which held the Worcestershire innings together.He went to three figures off 156 balls with 10 fours and a six in what is his 99th appearance out of Worcestershire last 100 Championship fixtures.It followed on from his 120 against Derbyshire, 161 versus Northamptonshire, 121 off the Sussex attack and 142 when facing Kent.Mitchell was eventually run out attempting a second run shortly before the declaration which left Gloucestershire a minimum of 121 overs to chase their daunting total.He has now amassed 894 Championship runs at an average of 47 so far this summer.Brett D’Oliveira, George Rhodes and Ashwin all provided excellent support for Mitchell as Worcestershire capitalised on their first innings lead of 105.The declaration came at 295-8 and the home side will be hoping the weather forecast is kind tomorrow particularly with promotion rivals Sussex triumphing against Glamorgan and moving into second spot.Worcestershire resumed on 10-0 and D’Oliveira launched an early offensive in making 55 off 58 balls and dominating an opening stand of 76 with Mitchell. He followed up his first innings top-score of 93 by striking 10 boundaries.D’Oliveira’s dismissal – bowled by Liam Norwell – triggered a minor collapse with the out of form Tom Fell falling in the same over for a second ball duck when caught behind and Joe Clarke perishing at square leg off a top edged sweep against Tom Smith.Rhodes proved a valuable ally in a partnership of 114 in 31 overs before he went to try and paddle Smith around the corner and was lbw.Indian star Ashwin raced to 28 as a further 55 was added in nine overs with Mitchell until he chipped Norwell to midwicket.Ben Cox showed positive intent with his first two scoring shots being sixes over long off at Smith’s expense. There was a flurry of wickets before the declaration as Mitchell and Cox were run out and skipper Joe Leach was bowled. Leach then took the new ball and, after switching ends, made the first breakthrough as Cameron Bancroft was caught behind by Cox in a sharp piece of work standing up to the wicket.Ashwin came into the attack after just six overs and quickly made an impact by bowling Will Tavare for a duck and then having Chris Dent caught at second slip. He ended the day with the impressive figures of 10-3-11-2.

Bulawayo’s Queens Sports Club will host its first Test in almost five years when New Zealand tour Zimbabwe in July-August 2016

Firdose Moonda16-Jun-2016Bulawayo’s Queens Sports Club will host its first Test in almost five years when New Zealand tour Zimbabwe in July-August 2016. The venue is scheduled to host both Tests on the tour, which start on July 28 and August 6 respectively.The last Test played at the Queens Sports Club was also between Zimbabwe and New Zealand, in November 2011, and was a thriller which New Zealand won by 34 runs.Since then, Harare Sports Club has been the preferred venue for Zimbabwe’s home Tests, mostly because of financial considerations. With most of Zimbabwe’s players based in Harare and most international flights landing in Harare, accommodation and transport costs are minimised by staging matches there.In 2013, Bangladesh were due to play a Test in Bulawayo after their Harare fixture but, in a cost-cutting measure, the second game was staged in Harare as well. Moreover, at the time, Queens Sports Club was understood to have been so poorly maintained that it would not have been ready to host a Test.The ground has since hosted 17 ODIs, including matches against Bangladesh, India, Afghanistan and South Africa, and four T20s. It will also host the second of two four-day games between South Africa A and Zimbabwe A prior to the New Zealand tour.New Zealand are due to spend a significant part of the next two months in southern Africa. They are holding a camp in Johannesburg from July 11, before traveling to Zimbabwe on July 20. They will play a three-day warm-up match and two Tests there as well as two Tests in South Africa.

Dan Christian is the allrounder chosen by Notts Outlaws to try to fill the void left by Darren Sammy’s departure to the Caribbean Premier League

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Jun-2015Notts Outlaws have signed Australian all-rounder Dan Christian for the remainder of the NatWest T20 Blast campaign.
Christian fills the void left by Darren Sammy who has departed for the Caribbean Premier League following a four-game stint with the Outlaws.Christian had only limited success during an unproductive Middlesex campaign last season, but Nottinghamshire’s director of cricket Mick Newell he can be a successful substitute for Sammy.”I keep saying that, particularly with international call-ups and injuries around, we need to be as strong as we can be,” he said. “So with an overseas vacancy available to us following Darren’s departure to the CPL, and knowing of Dan’s availability as we have for some time, it was an easy decision to bring him in.”He’s someone that tends to score his runs quickly and he also provides a very good option with the ball, which you need plenty of in T20 cricket.”Christian, who has 34 caps in white ball cricket for Australia, has amassed 146 career Twenty20 appearances including stints in the Indian Premier League with Deccan Chargers and Royal Challengers Bangalore. On English shores, he was a Friends Life T20 winner with Hampshire in 2010.He averages 20.11 with the bat, at a strike-rate of 128.53 that includes a century – 129 off 57 balls for Middlesex against Kent last season – and two fifties. His average with the bat is 27.72 with the ball at an economy rate of 8.16 runs per over.”Dan is a very aggressive and entertaining batsman to add to our line-up and also one that has lots of know-how in how to read the game and pace an innings,” added Newell.”He also has lots of experience, particularly in Twenty20, and I know he’s very keen to pass that onto our young players which is important. Darren Sammy certainly did that and I’m sure Dan Christian will do likewise.”

Former selector Mohinder Amarnath has pointed the finger at the BCCI president, N Srinivasan, for overruling the selectors’ unanimous call for sacking of MS Dhoni as captain after the two whitewashes in England and in Australia

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Dec-2012Mohinder Amarnath, the former India selector, has said it was the BCCI president, N Srinivasan, who overruled the selectors’ unanimous call for sacking of MS Dhoni as captain after the two whitewashes in England and Australia. “The Board President did not approve the unanimous decision to replace Mahendra Singh Dhoni,” Amarnath told .Post the Test debacle in Australia, Amarnath said, the selectors wanted to appoint a young captain for the triangular one-day series that followed, but their decision was overturned.”We selected the team for the triangular series, selected 17 players but we did not select the captain,” he said. “The captain was selected by somebody else.”Asked whether he questioned the decision, Amarnath said, “When you respect a person you don’t ask questions. But my question is, you have a selection committee those who think what is best for Indian cricket then why they are not given a free hand.The selectors thought about stepping down then, Amarnath said, but decided against it as they, “did not want to create a big stir there as the team was playing abroad and the series was going on there.”There was massive speculation that this was the reason Amarnath’s term as a selector ended abruptly when he was actually expected to be the new chairman of the selectors. When asked about that, all Amarnath said was: “I don’t miss it.”Amarnath was asked to clarify a rumour doing the rounds that he was cited the BCCI constitution that stated he could not sack Dhoni without the higher-ups clearing it. “Neither will I say yes nor will I deny it, okay,” he responded. “I know the facts, and I will tell you the facts when I feel the time is right.” He did go on to say, though, that he was not aware of the constitution. Clause 13(a)(iv) of the BCCI constitution states that: “The President shall approve the composition of a team, selected by the Selection Committee.””When somebody becomes a selector, I don’t think you are aware of the constitution of the BCCI,” he said. “I was not aware. I don’t think even the current committee is aware of the constitution.”According to the , Amarnath, Narendra Hirwani and Raja Venkat, during a meeting in January this year for selecting the squad for the CB Series in Australia, wanted to sack Dhoni.”Sanjay Jagdale, the BCCI secretary and convener of the national selection committee, consulted BCCI president N Srinivasan who shot down the proposal. Srinivasan made it clear that though the majority of the selectors felt that Dhoni didn’t inspire confidence as Test skipper the time was not right to remove him,” a selector told the paper.Why does Amarnath think Dhoni doesn’t deserve a place in the Test side? “If you see his track record for the last one year as captain, I am talking about Test matches, not one-day, he hasn’t done anything,” Amarnath said. “You give a run to a guy. I am not saying you should remove a guy overnight, but if you see a guy is failing again and again, I don’t think it is going to be possible to continue with the same guy.”I think he should be replaced in Test cricket. I am not talking shorter versions. He is an asset there, he has done very well, he is a match-winner, but with the technique he has I don’t see him do any wonders in Test cricket.”You have to look at contribution of the players, where you are playing and what opposition you are playing. We have to move ahead with times, and we have to look forward. People who have contributed to the game, we respect them, we adore them, but what is important is future of Indian cricket and not to live in the past. Cricket has changed, age has everything to do in life. We have to look ahead.”I believe in fresh blood. I was looking forward for a guy like Virat Kohli to take over as captain in one day cricket. I think he is a fantastic player, he is the future.”When Amarnath spoke about moving forward, he was asked about Sachin Tendulkar and what his future should be. “Sachin has been a great cricketer, a great ambassador, he has achieved everything but I think they way he is playing we see a shadow of Sachin Tendulkar,” he said. “And I don’t accept him to play in the same fashion as he has done in the past. Age is a factor. He is not alone. Look at all greats. Once you cross mid-30s, things become little bit difficult, a little bit more demanding. He is no exception. He has to take it very seriously, and I think the selectors have to have a word with him, what are his plans. Then they should take a call and then decide.”

The first day of Australia’s home Test summer ended in gloom, only 51 overs bowled as bad light and rain closed in on the Gabba late in the second session. But for Australia’s fans, the darkness overhead was of less consequence than the several bright spo

The Report by Brydon Coverdale30-Nov-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Mitchell Starc collected 2 for 52•Getty Images

The first day of Australia’s home Test summer ended in gloom, only 51 overs bowled as bad light and rain closed in on the Gabba late in the second session. But for Australia’s fans, the darkness overhead was of less consequence than the several bright spots they saw on the field, on a day when three debutants helped give Australia the edge over New Zealand.Mitchell Starc swung the ball impressively and collected two wickets, James Pattinson also curved the ball in the air and picked up one, and David Warner snaffled a pair of catches to ensure all three men will remember their first day of Test cricket with fondness. By the close of play, New Zealand had steadied through Daniel Vettori and Dean Brownlie, whose stand had reached 80, but plenty more work was required.When the players left the field shortly before the scheduled tea break – they didn’t get back on – New Zealand were 5 for 176, with Vettori on 45 and Brownlie on 32. Viewed as the result of a day when Ross Taylor had won the toss and chosen to bat, it was a disappointing outcome for New Zealand; but seen in the context of their early collapse, it was a solid fightback.In the first over after lunch, the visitors stumbled to 5 for 96 when Jesse Ryder was caught at point by Warner when he failed to find the gap off Starc. The sixth wicket could easily have fallen soon afterwards as Brownlie was dropped twice on 3, first when Michael Clarke grassed a sitter at first slip off Peter Siddle, and then when Warner couldn’t cling on to a tough chance at point off Starc.Playing against the country where he was born and raised, Brownlie had some nervous moments, leading edges landing safe and unconvincing shots played. But he hung in and slowly warmed into his routine, and by the end of the day he had played a couple of strong shots, including a powerful cut behind point for four off Starc.Vettori played his natural game, compiling the runs at a reasonable pace without taking many risks, and the Australians needed a breakthrough to ensure their promising morning wasn’t wasted. The attack was as green as the baggy caps that were liberally dispensed on the first morning at the Gabba but by lunch they had put their team firmly on top.Starc picked up the key wicket of Brendon McCullum and his fellow first-gamer James Pattinson removed the New Zealand captain Taylor to leave the visitors on 4 for 94 at lunch. It was a disappointing effort from New Zealand after they had chosen to bat on a cloudy Brisbane morning, all the more so because the openers McCullum and Martin Guptill had taken the score to 44 without loss.But Siddle broke the opening stand and the offspinner Nathan Lyon, who had never bowled at the Gabba, also struck when given an early opportunity by Clarke. While the New Zealand batsmen had contributed to their own demises on a pitch a little on the slow side, conditions were not easy as there was some swing in the first session, exploited especially well by Starc.Auditioning for a long-term role in the team in the absence of his fellow left-armer Mitchell Johnson, Starc showed an ability to consistently swing the ball in to the right-handers and it was that talent that troubled McCullum. Earlier McCullum had pounced on width outside off, striking three boundaries in the first over of the match as Pattinson struggled to find his line.But against Starc, McCullum had no room and twice was cramped up awkwardly, including once when a bouncer straightened and struck him on the helmet. Starc moved around the wicket to McCullum and had him caught for 34 when his cut was snapped up at point by Warner.Already Siddle had made a breakthrough when Guptill drove at a ball that moved away just a fraction and was caught behind for 13, and two wickets was a good start for Australia. There was more to come, though, with Kane Williamson struggling to move his feet against the offspin of Lyon, who was supported by the captain Clarke with a leg-slip who nearly came into play when Williamson tickled a ball fine.Soon enough Williamson’s hesitance against the spin brought his downfall, his lunge forward resulting in an inside edge on to his leg that was snapped up at short leg for 19. Three wickets would have been a fine session for Australia but it became an even better one when Taylor handed Pattinson his maiden Test wicket.Pattinson had been nervous early but on his return swung the ball impressively. However, it was a full and wide ball that accounted for Taylor (14), who tried for a powerful square drive only to see the ball rocket off his inside edge and back onto his stumps, a disappointing way for the captain to depart having chosen to bat in challenging conditions.By the end of the truncated day, the team had recovered somewhat. But as has too often been the case in recent years, much responsibility would rest on Vettori, who must again fight off Australia’s enthusiastic attack on the second day.