2nd Test: New Zealand v Australia at Christchurch,

While the pitch has unquestionably flattened out to the point of being an excellent one for batting, the morning session on day 1 was a nightmare to bat on. The ball was seaming all over the show on a very green-top. Australia made great work of those conditions before the pitch eased up. This pitch is actually very similar to the one in Wellington, where Australia once again made great use of the seaming conditions on the first day to set up a commanding position.

It is a shame that Burns was dismissed before the close of play, otherwise, according to my research, we would have had the first ever instance in Test history of the first 5 players in a team all averaging 50+. The Australian team that played Zimbabwe in 2003 is the only team (to my knowledge) that featured 5 players with an average of 50+, however, Langer, the opening batsman, had an average of 44 at the time. Hayden, Ponting, Martyn, Steve Waugh, Lehmann and Gilchrist were the 5 with 50+ averages in that match.

'm glad to see that Steve Smith appears to be okay after taking a nasty blow off the helmet. It sounded awful in real time and the ball flew along way after hitting him square on the side of the helmet. Hopefully he doesn't feel any after effects. You never like seeing any batsman take a blow like that. I am a little surprised that he wasn't wearing the new protective padding that clips on to the back of the helmet that most batsman have begun wearing since the tragic Phillip Hughes incident.

That was one nasty blow (thank goodness he's okay) .....and yes I was very surprised that he chose not to wear the protective piece or new Masuri helmet

Oh my , hope he is arrite ..

Looks like this will be gunning for runs today !

444444 and for the Lead  !

OZ may wanna bat only once on this flat track ..

In hindsight, New Zealand selecting 4 seamers and omitting a spinner, was probably the wrong decision. Of course, cricket played in hindsight is a much easier game.

Hindsight is always 20/20 vision

I noticed they showed Ish Sodhi club game 1 - 129  :-[

420 - 4

Lead of 50 !

Not looking good for New Zealand. Australia have added 67 runs in 19 overs and NZ haven't even been able to get rid of the night-watchman yet. The Aussies seem to be headed for a massive score.