da 888casino： The Plays of the day for the third day of the first Test between Australia and New Zealand in Brisbane
Peter English at the Gabba22-Nov-2008
Brett Lee became the fourth Australian to 300 wickets © Getty Images
Another wide for the Gabba
Steve Harmison’s wide in the Ashes two years ago was matched by MitchellJohnson after tea on Saturday. Johnson had switched to the Vulture StreetEnd and his first ball to Ross Taylor swung before homing in on RickyPonting at second slip. It was so wide Brad Haddin had no chance ofintercepting the delivery, but Ponting calmly accepted the ball and sentit on its way back to the bowler. This time the ground didn’t groan.Umpiring hits and misses
After benefiting from Rudi Koertzen’s caught-behind mistake involving MichaelHussey on Friday, New Zealand suffered the pain of cricket’s revenge inthe second innings. Both Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum were on thewrong side of tight decisions that turned the target of 327 into animpossible one. Ryder was hit high by Mitchell Johnson and Billy Doctrovegave him out lbw while Koertzen ruled the same way when McCullum paddedup. However, Taylor seemed to benefit shortly after from a caught-behinddecision that convinced all the Australians but not Doctrove.Fourth to 300
The final stages of Brett Lee’s journey to 300 wickets were slow, but hefinally became the fourth Australian to the milestone with the third ballof the second innings. Lee went to India with 289 and after four Testsreturned home still three short. Two victims on Friday pushed him to 299and Jamie How’s edge to Ponting at second slip sent Lee into a relievedcelebration.Tail between his legs
Lee’s day was not all smiles after he found an unorthodox way to get out.Facing Daniel Vettori, Lee went back to defend, collected an inside edgeand the ball went through his legs on to the stumps. He left slowly for 7but by then Australia’s lead was more than 250, and there were soon morereasons to smile.Southee receives a jolt
Hand injuries have been common lately – Lee and Anil Kumble both split thewebbing between their fingers during the India series – and Tim Southeeadded to the list while making a fabulous save. He left the field fortreatment but returned shortly after with his wrist strapped, finishingthe innings when Stuart Clark drove him to mid-off.And now to the weather
After the torrential rain and the burning sun of the past week the windcame. A severe weather warning was issued predicting gusts of up to 100kphand the boundary markers struggled to cope with the blustery conditions.Either side of lunch there was the opportunity for some easier runs on theeastern side of the ground as the sponsor’s ropes blew in. A few steelpegs were needed to return the field to an oval shape.