McGrath lays icing on Australian victory

Their hopes of saving the game sank from the first ball of the day when opener Blair Pocock was dismissed by pace bowler Paul Reiffel.

New Zealand wicketkeeper, Adam Parore, delayed the inevitable with a defiant unbeaten 39 which went in vain as his team succumbed just before tea in pursuit of a daunting victory target of 319.

In a brief but decisive burst before lunch, McGrath accounted for number three Nathan Astle, opener Bryan Young, Craig McMillan and New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming.

When Fleming edged a catch to wicketkeeper Ian Healy off the final ball of the morning session, McGrath had taken four wickets in four overs at a cost of just four runs. During that time, New Zealand sank from 68 for two to 69 for five.

McGrath dismissed Young and McMillan with consecutive deliveries, trapping both batsmen leg before wicket. However he was denied his first hat-trick in Test cricket by New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns who made 21.

Australia captain Mark Taylor, who declared his side8217;s second innings on 294 for six just before close of play yesterday, set the tone for the day by taking a sharp catch at first slip to remove Pocock.

Resuming at four for no wicket, New Zealand needed at least one of their batsman to score a big innings, but Young was the only player to respond to the challenge with a determined 45.

New Zealand began the match with a flourish, reducing Australia to 52 for four during the first session.

But Taylor8217;s side gradually asserted their superiority as the match continued, recovering to score 373 in their first innings, largely due to a century from captain Taylor.

New Zealand replied by scoring 349 in their first innings, with Fleming contributing a patient 91.

With today8217;s win, Australia take a 1-0 lead in the three Test series.

SCOREBOARD

AUSTRALIA 1st innings: 373

NEW ZEALAND 1st innings: 349

AUSTRALIA 2nd innings: 294 for 6 decl

NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings: Blair Pocock c Taylor b Reiffel 3, Bryan Young lbw b McGrath 45, Nathan Astle c Blewett b McGrath 14, Stephen Fleming c Healy b McGrath 0, Craig McMillan lbw b McGrath 0; Chris Cairns b Reiffel 21, Adam Parore not out 39, Chris Harris b Warne 0, Daniel Vettori c Taylor b Warne 0, Simon Doull c Healy b McGrath 2, Geoff Allott lbw b Warne 0, Extras 2lb, 6nb 8, Total: 132 all out

Fall of Wickets: 1/4, 2/55, 3/68, 4/68, 5/69, 6/112, 7/115, 8/117, 9/126, 10/132.

Bowling: Glenn McGrath 17-6-32-5 1nb, Michael Kasprowicz 8-1-17-0 2nb, Paul Reiffel 12-4-27-2 2nb, Shane Warne 25-6-54-3 1nb.

Result: Australia won by 186 runs.

Man-of-the-match: Mark Taylor

McGrath doubtful

Australian strike bowler Glenn McGrath is doubtful for the second test against New Zealand after aggravating a groin injury in the 186-run first test win over the Kiwis here today.

Mcgrath will consult a specialist in Sydney on Thursday before deciding what to do after battling the injury during his match-winning haul of 5-32 in New Zealand8217;s second innings.

As a precaution, McGrath, who has now taken 162 Test wickets, has been omitted from the New South Wales side for the Sheffield Shield match against Queensland starting in Newcastle on Friday.

Australian team physiotherapist Errol Alcott said McGrath had felt pain in the same part of his left groin operated on in May, last year.

The second Test, in Perth, starts on November 20. 8220;I8217;ll just have to see what the specialist says,8221; said McGrath.

Mcgrath said the groin problem was no excuse for his poor performance in the first innings, where he grabbed two late wickets to finish with 2-96 after straying in line and length.

8220;I just didn8217;t quite have the rhythm first up that I had in the second innings, but that8217;s the way it goes. Things finished well.