da 888： The Plays of the day for the second day of the first Test between Australia and New Zealand in Brisbane
Peter English at the Gabba21-Nov-2008
Matthew Hayden’s 37-year-old legs are decidedly heavy © Getty Images
Heavy legs slow Hayden
Before his 99th Test Matthew Hayden gave a couple of convoluted answers toquestions about how long he would stay in the game. Following a stop-starttour of India, the heat on Hayden’s position continues to increase afterhis return of 8 and 0 in this game. Hayden was the victim of deliveriesgoing away both times, but the ball Chris Martin opened with on Fridayafternoon was pretty special as it caught the batsman’s push on the way toBrendon McCullum.One way to tell how well a player is dealing with age is to look at hisfootwork early in an innings. Hayden’s 37-year-old legs are decidedlyheavy and if he wants to extend his career to the Ashes he will need a bigcontribution in his 100th Test.Lee gets physical in Ryder fall
In an Australia-India series two pats on the helmet would probably earn amatch ban, but Jesse Ryder is unlikely to remember Brett Lee’s gentletaps. Ryder was crouched down after being struck in the groin by a Leedelivery and by the time the bowler extended his follow-through he hadstarted to feel slightly sorry for his conquest. Fortunately for Ryder, itwas the end of the over. He needed the extra time to recover.Run, Michael , run
There are kite runners, quotes runners, marathon runners and now hatrunners. In Australia’s bid to improve their over-rate they have employedMichael Hussey at times to run from gully to the bowler, who is usually atfine-leg, pick up his cap, take it to the umpire and jog back to hisfielding position. It’s an exercise that saves a few seconds but addsabout 50 metres on Hussey’s GPS. Australia delivered 25 overs beforelunch, five behind the expected rate, and another 20 before the inningsended in the second session.Gabba weathers storm season
The Gabba’s reputation as the best draining ground was confirmed againfollowing another vicious Brisbane storm on Thursday night. After sunseton day one the thunder and lightning arrived and the rain was so heavy itlooked like there was a blizzard in the stadium. Puddles formed almostimmediately and the wind blew the water around like a whirlpool. Moreshowers came through the night but by morning the ground was dry and playstarted on time. Storms are predicted over the next couple of days.Don’t tell the wife I’m at the cricket
Friday at the Gabba is a traditional day for a sickie and while the crowdwas on the small side at 11,886, there were still people hiding from thecameras, their bosses and their wives. One advertising representative, whothinks he might look like Mitchell Johnson, was enjoying his FerrisBueller’s Day Off from work and the family, spending time with his matesand being thankful that his wife actually knows he’s off to the World Cuprugby league final across town on Saturday night. Two days of lies, andleaving the stadium to make quiet phone calls, takes too much effort.