“The margin was fair”.
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“As I said last week, I was pretty disappointed with Starc’s actions out on the field”, Smith said.
The Australians claimed the seven remaining wickets on the final morning in Brisbane to go one-up in the three-Test series after dismissing the Black Caps for 295.
“We don’t normally do that here, we usually get the ball up and make the batters drive and I think that’s going to be important leading into Perth, which are probably going to be pretty similar conditions”.
“We’re hopeful that he’ll be able to step up for that next test match”.
As good as Trent Boult has been in recent time even he found it hard to break through.
The accomplished Williamson took up where he left off after his 140 in the first innings to reach his 50 off 55 balls but fell to a marginal leg before wicket decision nearing tea.
Reflecting on his bowlers’ capitulation in Brisbane, McCullum linked the performance in part to the anxiety associated with a big series, but he backed his charges to bounce back due to their mature and even-tempered approach to the game.
“We’ll see a result”.
Williamson has climbed to number five in the world batting rankings.
While he later saw the error that led to McCullum’s dismissal, Smith said the wicket was a product of the DRS system.
James Neesham, in discomfort from a back injury, was next to go, fending to Joe Burns and BJ Watling fell lbw to Lyon after losing their last review. There’s other circumstances too.
Voges, who made 83 at the Gabba in the first Test, said playing at the WACA was obviously an advantage, adding: “It’s home”. There’s many different reasons.
“The good thing about Trent is that emotionally he’s a level bloke”.
He picked up four wickets against the Kiwis in Brisbane and has an impressive Test career strike rate of a wicket every 51 balls.
“He’s done it a few times and I’m going to have a word with him when I get back down to the sheds”, Smith said.
“I was very happy with the captain and the way he handled that”.
“I started my career in Australia; I played my first Test at the Gabba”.
“If he is fit, I’m sure he’ll be a force to be reckoned with in the game on a wicket that should provide him with a bit of bounce and swing”. At that, McCullum smiled.
“I’ve just got to check on the fitness of Tim Southee obviously”. Coupled with the forecast heat that will surely open cracks as the Test progresses, it’s in more ways than one that we may be going back to the future this week in Perth.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday in Perth, the left-arm pacer said: “I think about it (retirement) most days”. I’m expecting – and, to be honest, hoping – a recurring question will be “that” ball to Alastair Cook, to knock him over in the first ball of the second innings.
Comparisons are inevitable, but don’t bat an eyelid if Australia and New Zealand continue their dominance in cricket and rugby respectively.
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Daniel Brettig is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo.
