Eight wickets lie between New Zealand and a superlative victory over closest rivals Australia in Perth this afternoon

Lynn McConnell04-Dec-2001Eight wickets lie between New Zealand and a superlative victory over closest rivals Australia in Perth this afternoon.Newspapers in both countries highlight the enormity of Australia’s task in, firstly, surviving, and, secondly, winning the game.The New Zealand Herald: “New Zealand are within sight of a monumental series win over world champions Australia after tightening the screws late on the fourth day of the third test at the Waca in Perth.”When Stephen Fleming declared New Zealand’s second innings closed at 256 for nine last night, Australia was given the uphill task of scoring a record 440 in a minimum of 107 overs to win the match and the series.”At stumps, they had lost Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting, and would have been relieved when they scuttled from the field at 6.16 pm.”They ended at 69 for two with Matthew Hayden on 31 and Mark Waugh on 8.”The highest successful fourth innings chase was in 1975-76 when India scored 406 for four to beat the West Indies at Port-of-Spain.”The only other instance of a 400-plus total being achieved was in 1948 at Leeds, when Don Bradman’s Australians scored 404 for three against England.”Possibly more relevant is the fabulous run-chase Australia mounted against Pakistan at Hobart a couple of summers ago, when Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist combined to drag their side through to a winning 369 for six.”Boosted by useful innings from Lou Vincent (54), Chris Cairns (42) and Nathan Astle (40), the Kiwis batted well into the final session last night before the declaration came – giving them the distinction of of not being bowled out in the entire series.”The suggestion seemed to be that Fleming did not want Australia to feel they had a chance of achieving the total.”Instead, he wanted them stone-walling throughout today against the left-arm spin of Daniel Vettori, with possibly three of four close-in fieldsmen surrounding the bat.”Peter Roebuck, The Sydney Morning Herald: “The facts can be easily stated. Australia are on the rack. Stephen Waugh’s team has been outplayed for four days and must fight back or face the consequences. Stephen Fleming has enjoyed the sweet pleasure of declaring twice in a Test match, and this against a powerful neighbour playing in its own backyard. His team does not contain a single great player but it has been strong enough to embarrass Australia.”If Australia lose, their reputation goes down with them. Great teams have an aura of invincibility about them and it’s like glass – once shattered it cannot be repaired. To lose in Sri Lanka was pardonable, especially as the Australians improved throughout their stay and might have shared the spoils had not rain intervened. To lose a tumultuous series in India was tolerable because it took magnificent individual efforts to beat them. To lose to New Zealand – well, it is unthinkable, or it was a month ago.”Certainly the Australians have nothing to complain about. Their opponents have played superb cricket – organised, fearless and intelligent. These dogs can bite. They’ve caught the Australians unawares, treading water till the great contest begins and not noticing as the tide turns against them. Now the New Zealanders need a handful of wickets to secure their greatest and least expected victory.”The Sydney Morning Herald: “Memories are still fresh of Adam Gilchrist and Langer pulling their side from the brink of defeat to a fantastic victory against Pakistan in Hobart two years ago but this time, the presence of a quiet, bespectacled 22-year-old changes the picture dramatically.”Vettori, clubbed on to the towering roof of the Lillee-Marsh Stand here by Mark Waugh four years ago, finds himself with a strong hope of winning New Zealand only their third series in 15 against Australia, the first since 1985-86, and of inflicting Australia’s first home-series defeat in nine years.”The left-arm spinner predicted after taking 6-87 on Sunday the pitch would ‘turn square’ today.”He is likely to extract more movement than Shane Warne managed yesterday in a less-than-fearsome bowling effort from the Australians overall.”The Daily Telegraph: “Greatness or total humiliation today beckons for an Australian cricket side which has been asked to go where no team has been in 124 years of Test cricket.”Australia has been set what would be a world-record get of 440 to win the third Test and series against New Zealand at the WACA but needs nothing more than a draw to retain the trans-Tasman Trophy.”Australia was 2-69 at stumps, needing 371 off 90 overs at a run rate of 4.12 today.”Anchorman Justin Langer (0) failed for the first time in the series and Ricky Ponting (26) inside-edged on to his stumps from a cramped defensive shot which schoolboys should be banned from watching.”No team has got as many to win a Test so it is tempting to conclude if Australia wins there may be a sighting of the Loch Ness monster doing breaststroke beside Osama bin Laden in the Swan River.”One-day cricket has conditioned batsmen to high-pressure run chases but this would be a truly great ‘get’.”The best chase in Test cricket is 4-406 by India against the West Indies in 1975-76 while Australia’s best is 3-404 against England at Headingley.”The difference is that this side has no Don Bradman.”It still rankles with captain Steve Waugh that before Australia lost seven wickets in a session to lose the Calcutta Test against India in March he did not reinforce the need for his side to “get dirty” and occasionally bunt back a half volley in the name of survival.”The West Australian: “The most spectacular construction is based on a workmanlike foundation, and so it was on the fourth day of the third Test at the WACA Ground.”After the first three days had set the Test up for a tight finish, it was obvious both teams would jockey for position yesterday rather than launch an assault.”It was smart rather than spectacular cricket as New Zealand moved to 9-256 – setting a target of 440 – while Australia was content to restrict the run rate after a Kiwi collapse became unlikely.”Australia’s twin losses late in the day, Justin Langer for a duck and Ricky Ponting for 26, have changed the personnel but not the strategy as the fate of the Trans-Tasman trophy remains in doubt.”The only real issue yesterday was the timing of Stephen Fleming’s declaration. He wanted a lead of more than 400 on a pitch that was still playing magnificently. But he had to ensure Daniel Vettori had enough time to spin out Australia while not discouraging the home team from a run chase with too big a target.”