Fleming, McMillan steady New Zealand innings

By Malcolm Conn

HOBART, NOV. 25. There is unlikely to be the same frantic finale to the second Test in Hobart as the opening match in Brisbane even if the weather improves dramatically enough to allowed seven hours of unhindered play.

Having been given a fright at the Gabba, with the Kiwis failing by just 10 runs to race down a most unlikely victory, Steve Waugh is certain to be more circumspect in a series which is likely to head for the final Test in Perth, beginning on Friday, without a result.

Rain has robbed the match of 150 overs during the past three days and more is forecast. The weather teased and tantalised until the end with Steve Waugh desperate for a late burst at the Kiwis which he hoped would change the course of the match.

When the covers came off one last time at 6 p.m. with 10 overs to play it was the signal for yet another shower that brought an inevitable conclusion to another frustrating day.

Australia's only chance of victory, should the weather allow it, is to bowl New Zealand out quickly on Monday morning and enforce the follow-on with enough time to dismiss the Kiwis a second time.

New Zealand is four for 197 in its first innings, still requiring another 162 to make Australia bat a second time after the home side declared late on Friday afternoon at eight for 558.

Captain Stephen Fleming was unbeaten on 71, highlighting how this he grown into his role as the pivotal player of his side.

While Cairns may be the most dangerous and Craig McMillan, unbeaten on 51, plays with greater cheek, it is the stability Fleming offers at number four which is central to the strength of the team.

It was evident on Sunday when the Kiwis resumed at two for 71 and slumped to four for 100 during an extended morning session.

There was a very real possibility the Australians could have completely dominated their opponents but Fleming, with good support from McMillan, showed great poise.

Fleming has the chance to continue enhancing his reputation by converting another half-century into a rare hundred. This is now the 33rd time in 62 Tests he has passed 50 but only twice has he managed a hundred.

His country desperately needs Fleming to press on because if he is dismissed early the lower order will be exposed to a second new ball only three overs old.

Mark Richardson (30) went in the third over of the day pinned on the crease leg before wicket by Jason Gillespie.

Desperate for another breakthrough, Waugh threw the ball to brother Mark, who snaffled Nathan Astle (11) second ball with his occasional off-breaks.

Astle pushed at a wide ball which went straight on and caught the edge. Warne at slip threw himself low and to his right, gathering the ball brilliantly in one hand.

While the Kiwi batting continues to show some steel, the bowling crisis deepens. Daryl Tuffey has become the third New Zealand paceman to break down in three weeks.

Brought in to replace Dion Nash (abdomen strain) and Shayne O'Connor (knee tendinitis), who were both sent home, Tuffey suffered a hamstring strain.

Chris Drum, 27, who suffered a dislocated shoulder in his debut Test last season and has not played a Test since, will fly into Perth.

Shane Bond, who made a debut in this match, was called up as a replacement a fortnight ago.

The other casualty has been umpire Steve Davis, who had surgery on his right knee, which was damaged in a freak accident. He will be sidelined for three months.

Davis was locked in the ground on Friday evening and climbed a fence to catch a taxi, only to land awkwardly.

Third umpire John Smeaton from Hobart was given the unexpected opportunity of standing in his first Test.

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