Rain caused Australia the most discomfort in New Zealand, but it couldn’t wash away a string of brilliant performances by Gilchrist, McGrath, Warne and Ponting
Peter English30-Mar-2005
Ponting power: Australia’s captain led the show but was overshadowed by Gilchrist’s striking© Getty Images
Rain caused Australia the most discomfort in New Zealand, but it couldn’t wash away a string of brilliant performances by Gilchrist, McGrath, Warne and Ponting. When the quartet is in form it is hard to think of any team that could match it. New Zealand managed to pressure Australia for two days in the first Test before being ruthlessly overpowered – a constant theme of the tour – and only wet weather prevented a 3-0 result. Hamish Marshall and Daniel Vettori were the home side’s high points while the Australians were busy jostling for top billing again.Australia
9.5Adam Gilchrist
Absolutely amazing and the Man of the Series. Turned the first Test with 121 off 126 balls and the second with 162 off 146 balls, in which he passed Ian Healy’s tally for the most runs by an Australia wicketkeeper. Belted Australia ahead at Auckland with 60 not out off 62 at No. 8 and terrified New Zealand’s bowlers. Wicketkeeping was barely noticed but picked up seven catches.Glenn McGrath
Brilliant. Closed down the main threat of Stephen Fleming and hounded 18 wickets at 15.72. Changed the Christchurch Test with six first-innings scalps to end Australia’s lethargy and hardly bowled a ball off line in the final Test, giving away 89 runs in 50.2 overs for 7 wickets. Will begin his opening over at Lord’s with 499 Test victims.9Shane Warne
The second of Australia’s bowling diamonds, Warne kept shining and New Zealand couldn’t find a way to avoid the glare. Embarrassed Hamish Marshall around and through his legs in the first Test, finishing them off with 5 for 39 as they collapsed for 131. A constant threat in the remaining matches, he collected 17 wickets at 22 to extend his world record.8.5Ricky Ponting
Played the innings of the Test with 105 and 82 not out at Auckland when he danced at almost a run a ball on a pitch nobody else mastered. The second knock was brilliant under lights as he flayed to finish the match a day early in drizzle. Left New Zealand with 289 runs at 96.3 and showed his ruthlessness as captain by piling on 570 before the Wellington declaration. Still could have been more damaging with the bat, missing a pair of half-centuries in the first Test.7Damien Martyn
Beat early struggles at the Basin Reserve to post a delightful 165, his highest Test score, alongside Gilchrist. Was twice trapped playing back to spin, although both deliveries hit his bat, but breezed to 235 runs at 78.3 to cap a satisfying series.6Justin Langer
Belted Australia to victory with second-innings half-centuries in the first and final Tests to banish jitters of chasing low totals. Deserved another half-century at the Basin Reserve after he gritted through the first-morning difficulty to stabilise the side on the way to 570. Dropped a comfortable chance at slip at Christchurch, but was safer with next three offerings.Simon Katich
His on-again off-again Test career is back on. Again. Returned for his first Test since India and jumped Australia from passing the follow-on to parity. His 118 was shot-laden and attractive, but was towered by Gilchrist’s explosion. Finished the tour with a pair of 35s and can get comfortable for an extended run at No. 6.5.5Jason Gillespie
Reversed an awful first-Test first innings, which increased calls for him to give way to Brett Lee, into three lbws that toppled the top-order. Given a tip by Merv Hughes to straighten his run-up, he arrowed in to reconfirm his place as Australia’s No. 2 paceman. Will move into fifth place on Australia’s wicket-taking list with his first wicket in England after joining Richie Benaud on 248Michael Kasprowicz
Held his spot ahead of a deafening campaign for Lee and celebrated his 100th wicket at the Basin Reserve. It was a satisfying milestone and his regular incisions and sliding cutters regularly challenged the batsmen. Ended the series with eight wickets and can look forward to the Ashes after a stint with Glamorgan.4Matthew Hayden
Spent most of the first Test rubbing his injured shoulder and ached – and failed – to end his poor streak. A patient 61 in the second Test showed he was willing to work, although hard for his runs but he couldn’t turn starts into substance. Will enjoy the break but not the horrible run-out to end his summer.3Michael Clarke
Finding life as an international much harder with the bat after his promotion to No. 5. Scores of 8, 8 and 22 gave him a thud after his glowing Test start. A couple of stunning run-outs boosted the side and his ability to pick up a wicket when thrown the ball will increase comparisons with Mark Waugh and Doug Walters.
Nathan Astle accepted the senior batting role after Glenn McGrath silenced Stephen Fleming© Getty Images
New Zealand
8Daniel Vettori
Bowled superbly at Christchurch for six wickets and was a regular tormentor on pitches ordered for seam instead of spin. Missed support in delivering 123.5 overs, and if it wasn’t for Gilchrist’s crash-tackling his figures would have sparkled. Hampered by back trouble, he averaged 66 in an amazing lower-order batting performance and picked up eight wickets.7.5Hamish Marshall
Stunning maiden Test century – only his second in first-class cricket – with 146 that scared Australia at Christchurch. Looked at ease against the pace but twice fell to Warne when more patience and a better legside defence was needed. Set up New Zealand with a gutsy 76 at Auckland and collected 269 runs at 44.83. An exciting long-term prospect.6.5Nathan Astle
Acted up as the side’s senior batsmen with Fleming out-of-form and performed at his best in the opening and closing stages. His results had an almost symmetrical feel with 74, 21, 9, 4, 19 and 70 and he deserved a century for the extra responsibility. Also contributed with a wicket in each Test.6James Franklin
Hit and miss in the first two matches before finding his range with a career-best six wickets in the final Test. Twelve series victims was a worthy return for a bowler who swung the ball regularly and increased his pace following the Australia tour last November. Picked up four first-innings wickets in the second Test after wasting two new balls, and also improved his batting contributions.5Lou Vincent
Recalled after more than a year away, he ensured he would be a starter for the Sri Lanka series with 160 runs in six bats. The Wellington half-century showed his attitude and greater maturity, and he hauled New Zealand from disaster with 40 from 33 balls in the final Test. New Zealand will need more from him in the future.4Craig Cumming
Showed he could see off the new ball and may be a medium-term option if his game tightens up by becoming more selective with his hooking and pulling. Made a big impression with 74 on debut before falling horribly to a legside trap, but tailed off at Auckland with 5 and 0.Brendon McCullum
Competing with Gilchrist proved too much. Too eager to attack, his batting was disappointing for someone so talented, and his wicketkeeping swayed on both sides of good. Grabbed a super legside catch standing up to dismiss Ricky Ponting, but needed to take more chances in earlier matches to trouble Australia.3Stephen Fleming
The move from No. 4 to opener was a failure in a disastrous sequence of 18, 17 and 0 so he dropped down for the final Test, improving with 65 and 3. As captain he let Australia off in each Test – Gilchrist deserved a lot of credit for this – when he could have tackled manageable totals. A respected leader who missed his chance to beat Australia.Iain O’Brien
Matthew Hayden was his first Test wicket on debut and he kept moving the ball around in various spells, but he lacked overall impact. Was dropped for Eden Park, but could be a useful third-seamer with better support from the openers.2Chris Martin
Kept running in and swung the ball wildly on occasions, but his impact was minimal. New Zealand miss an opening bowler who can strike regularly and Martin, who took two wickets at 198.5, is not the answer.James Marshall
Made his debut as an opener in the third Test, where batting with his twin brother was the highlight. Fought his way to 29 in the first innings, ran out Clarke with a fine throw, and was McGrath’s 497th wicket in the day-three gloom.Paul Wiseman
A tough non-selection at Christchurch and Wellington, he was brought in for the dropped-in pitch at Auckland. Collected Damien Martyn with a big-turning off-spinner for his only wicket.1Craig McMillan
Red-faced after falling to Warne legside trap at Christchurch and lucky to get another go in the second Test, where he fell to a wild slog-sweep and was bowled by Warne. Dropped for Auckland because Australia had his number.