Rain halts Aussie march to victory

Australia captain Ricky Ponting had already enforced the follow-on after New Zealand were dismissed for 244 at tea — 326 runs short of Australia’s massive total of 570-8 declared. However, play was called off before the Kiwis had begun their second innings when the heavens opened and the covers were placed on the pitch.

“Hopefully it’s still raining tomorrow,” New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent told reporters. “We’re going to go out tonight and do some rain dancing.”

Monday’s first session had also been washed out but the Australians still managed to bowl New Zealand out when the sky briefly cleared between lunch and tea.

New Zealand had resumed at 122-4 in their first innings but lost their last six wickets for 78 runs to give Ponting the chance to push for victory.

“It’s a bit of guesswork the weather round here,” Australian fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz said.

“I think we back ourselves to make some early impact and then keep doing our things. But we certainly don’t take anything for granted with the New Zealand side and the wicket’s playing exceptionally well and very flat.”

Vincent top-scored with 63 off 164 balls, while Daniel Vettori smashed eight boundaries in making a brisk 45 off 63 deliveries. Kasprowicz and Shane Warne captured three wickets each while Glenn McGrath got two and Jason Gillespie and Michael Clarke one apiece.

Brief scores: Australia: 570-8 decl vs New Zealand: 244 (Cumming 37, Vincent 63, Vettori 45, McGrath 2/50, Kasprowicz 3/42, Warne 3-69)