Controversy rages on Day 5 even as Australia crush New Zealand in 1st Test
Australia claimed seven wickets on Day 5 to crush New Zealand by 208 runs in the 1st Test, as a result going 1-0 up in the 3-match series and easily maintaining their 27-year unbeaten streak at the Gabba.
The focal points of the fifth day, however, were two controversial moments – Brendon McCullum losing his gentlemanly composure after wrongly being given out, and Mitchell Starc needlessly directing a throw at batsman Mark Craig in what was a throwback to the ‘obstructing the field’ controversy that erupted on Australia’s recent tour of England.
New Zealand were chasing a massive target of 504 in the fourth innings after two innings declarations from the Aussies, and the only hope they had on the final day of the Test was Brendon McCullum's belligerent knock. Not holding back on his shots, McCullum raced to a 80-ball 80, reaching his 50 in 44 balls, before falling to a faulty umpire’s call.
McCullum protested, saying that he had in fact not nicked the ball which had travelled to second slip, but his team had run out of their quota of reviews. McCullum left the field, visibly flustered, as Kiwi supporters saw their last hope snuffed out.
McCullum hit his 97th six in tests, placing him tied for third all-time six-hitters, behind Australia's Adam Gilchrist’s 100.
Starc earns rebuke from captain
The tail was cleaned up quickly after McCullum’s departure, but there was an ugly incident involving Mitchell Starc towards the end, an incident for which the young fast bowler has been reprimanded by his captain Steve Smith in the post-match conference.
As Mark Craig and Trent Boult were batting for the last wicket, Starc’s frustration was let out, again, as he unleashed a throw at Craig without reason. Having been hit for consecutive boundaries, Starc collected a Craig straight drive in his bowling follow-through and threw it back with venom.
The throw missed the stumps by a lot, but only narrowly missed the batsman. The wicket keeper could not stop the throw either, as four byes were added to the score. A little while later, it was Starc himself who ended the 46-run 10th wicket partnership, inducing an edge off Trent Boult’s bat.
Australia captain Steve Smith said on his star pacer’s dangerous act, “It was pretty disappointing. He's done it a few times and I'm going to have a word to him when I get back down in the sheds.
“There wasn't an opportunity for a run-out there and I think it was just a bit of frustration and he needs to let it out in other ways.”
Starc picked up 6 wickets in the match, but his captain is not overly pleased with how he behaves in his run-ups. The second Commonwealth Bank Test begins on Friday in Perth.