http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 – 1st Test – 2nd Session Recap
After losing both openers, Australia managed to steady the ship courtesy of a solid third-wicket stand between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Usman-Khawaja-c2729 at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba, December 2, 2011.
Both added an unbeaten stand of 66 to give the hosts the much needed stability following the early setbacks as the local team ended the second session on 91 for 2.
Coming from a crucial half-century from his previous outing against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 which helped his side to level the series, Punter again looked impressive as he dealt in boundaries to ensure that the team moved on from the early loss of Phil Hughes, who
perished shortly after the resumption from the lunch interval.
The left-hander was squared up by an absolute peach of a delivery by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Guptill-c1980 taking a good catch, while diving forward at Gully. The player could only manage 10.
Entered Ponting to a huge reception and along with Usman Khawaja took on the Kiwi bowlers with intent. The major nervy moment arrived early on in their partnership where Punter escaped from a run out opportunity, after finding himself half-way down the wicket.
He escaped and with that started to hit regular boundaries. It started with a majestic hit to the cover regions off http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TG-Southee-c2659 with a picture perfect technique. He got into the act again, this time hitting down the ground, as the crowd cheered his every
shot.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Doug-Bracewell-c1394 was then on the receiving end as Ponting this time pulled the right-armer to the square leg boundary, bringing memories of his glory days with the Kangaroo outfit. 50-run mark was crossed as the veteran kept on pouncing on any lose delivery.
Meanwhile, Khawaja also shared the responsibility with maturity as he looked set on amassing big score. With his partner in fine form, the left-hander was more than keen on rotating the strike, however, he too showed his stature with a smoking cover drive
off Bracewell.
With tea approaching, their stand too reached 50 and Punter kept on his good work. Both ended the session on a high with the veteran unbeaten on 34; with the help of six boundaries while Khawaja occupying the crease on 38.
The start to the morning’s proceedings for the hosts was frustrating as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Dean-Brownlie-c1349 kept their good work with a firm stand of 158. The left-hander was unlucky after being dismissed for 96, in an attempt to take a quick single.
The tail could not hang around and perished swiftly with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nathan-Michael-Lyon-c78822 doing most of the damage, picking up a four-wicket haul. It meant that the tourists closed in on 295 with Brownlie stranded on 77.
However, David Warner’s first bout in the baggy green lasted just three balls, as he was dismissed by an excellent short ball which rounded an encouraging session for the Kiwis.
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