NZ v Australia 1st Test: Australia facing injury hurdle as they look to claim No.1 ranking

AUSTRALIA is within touching distance of the coveted No.1 world ranking but another impending injury to a fast bowler could again test the strength the squad.

New Zealand v Australia - 1st Test: Day 3

BRENDON McCullum is gone as a Test player and so too are New Zealand’s hopes in Wellington.

However, Australia aren’t without worries of their own as they look to move to within touching distance of the coveted No.1 world ranking, with injury-plagued paceman Peter Siddle again battling fitness issues.

Even with Siddle off the park for the entire final session, Australia’s bowlers rallied, and when Mitchell Marsh trapped farewell man McCullum in the final over of the day, New Zealand found themselves still 206 runs from making the tourists bat again with only six wickets in hand.

McCullum deserved better than to be mistakenly introduced by his brother’s name “Nathan” in an embarrassing gaffe by the ground announcer in what is his 100th consecutive Test and second last before retirement.

But unfortunately the skipper’s meek dismissal only reinforced why he averages just 24.59 against Australia, as he left New Zealand hanging on for dear life at 4-178 in their second dig, chasing Australia’s first innings total of 562.

“To get McCullum last over of the day, the change room is pretty happy at the moment,” said Adam Voges, who was finally dismissed for 239 on day three, ending a 614-run unbeaten run in Test cricket and bringing his average back below Sir Donald Bradman at 97.46.

It’s only a matter of time until Australia secures an emphatic victory in Wellington, but despite confidence from within the camp, Siddle could not be considered a certain starter for Monday or more alarmingly next week’s second Test, after being struck with back spasms and restricted to just eight overs.

The 30-year-old was hobbling badly at certain points of the day, sparking fears of a reoccurrence of the nasty ankle injury that saw him sidelined for all of January.

CA though insisted his back was his only problem, with medical staff to work on him on Sunday night in a bid to get him back bowling.

Peter Siddle pulls up short after a delivery.

Australia will almost certainly canter to victory in this opening Test, but to acquire the No.1 ranking they must at least draw in Christchurch – and Siddle is a vital component of an attack that aside from the firing Josh Hazlewood is far from settled.

After being ruled out of this match, strike-weapon James Pattinson remains under a significant injury cloud of his own leading into Christchurch. Meanwhile, the man filling his boots Jackson Bird has struggled during this Test, and Australia’s other bowling option the uncapped Chadd Sayers also lacks pace.

Despite Australia’s dominance in this match, the importance of Steve Smith winning the toss on a day one green top cannot be underestimated, and with similar conditions anticipated for Christchurch – he will be relying on a fully firing bowling attack to secure the No.1 spot in Test cricket.

“It’s a bit of a back spasm and they’re never nice,” said Voges.

“We’ve got some good medicos who will look after him tonight and we’re hopeful he’ll be out there tomorrow. He’s got very good skills with the reverse swinging ball so hopefully we’ll see him out there tomorrow.”

The overwhelming positive for Australia was the world-class spearhead ability of Hazlewood – who on a tough day for bowlers won an engaging battle with New Zealand’s best batsman and last hope for resistance, Kane Williamson.

Hazlewood figures of 1-42 off 17 were inspirational, as was the work done by spinner Nathan Lyon who removed both Kiwi openers Martin Guptill (45) and Tom Latham (63) who had got the home side off to a positive start.

There was further embarrassment for umpire Richard Illingworth too, who inexplicably called another front-foot no-ball, this time on Hazlewood – which cost Australia five runs.

It was easier to take than the 232 runs Voges piled on after he should have been out on day one if not for the same gaffe, but Illingworth making the same farcical mistake again in the same game was harder to fathom.

Williamson dominated Australia during the first part of the summer, in Brisbane and Perth, but now the Aussies appear to have his measure.

“It was a nice piece of cricket. A nice delivery that got rid of Kane, their best bowler against our best batsman, an intriguing battle to watch,” said Black Caps batting coach, Craig McMillan.

“Today was a really good piece of bowling – the ball was reversing.”