da luck： New Zealand made a steady start against the Queensland Second XI in the first match of their Australian tour at Allan Border Field today.
Michael Crutcher16-Oct-2001New Zealand made a steady start against the Queensland Academy of Sport team in the first match of their Australian tour at Allan Border Field today.At lunch on the first day of the four-day match, the Black Caps were 3-78, with captain Stephen Fleming on five and Nathan Astle yet to score.Opener Mark Richardson top-scored with 40, while Matthew Bell made eight and Mathew Sinclair 17 in excellent batting conditions.Bell was the first batsman out when he was trapped LBW failing to offer a shot to much-hyped teenage quick Mitchell Johnson (1-24).Sinclair was bowled by emerging quick Damien Mackenzie (1-12) while Richardson, who looked sharp at the crease, fell to a catch behind off off-spinner ScottO’Leary (1-5).Richardson brought about his own downfall with an ill-judged drive at O’Leary’s first ball, providing wicketkeeper Chris Hartley with a juggled catch.The Black Caps arranged the four-day match in Brisbane after their Test tour to Pakistan was cancelled because of the terrorist strikes in the United States.The visitors named their regular Test batting line-up along with frontline bowlers Dion Nash and Daniel Vettori.