DRS causes as many problems as it solves
More controversy involving the DRS system flared with the non-dismissal of Nathan Lyon, given not out twice after appearing to hit an attempted sweep shot off debutant Mitchell Santner's left-arm tweakers. New Zealand were convinced they had Lyon caught off the back of his bat on to his shoulder and skipper Brendon McCullum immediately called for a review after Sundaram Ravi turned down the initial appeal. But third umpire Nigel Llong, after five minutes deliberation — befitting his name — said he couldn't find enough convincing evidence to overturn the decision with Lyon having trooped two-thirds of the way to the dressing room, and with seemingly a tell-tale white mark on Hotspot. The Kiwis were bemused, and became increasingly flustered as Lyon and Peter Nevill combined for a valuable 74-run partnership which turned the tables significantly.
The campaign for more day-night Tests is on in earnest
So positive was the reaction to the first historic taste of day-night Test cricket that the lobbying for more of the same occupied much of day two. With the Adelaide fans again turning out in droves, the broadcasters couldn't stop talking up the concept. Shane Warne was moved to tweet out a plea to make the Boxing Day Test against the West Indies a day-night affair. “Dear CA [Cricket Australia],” Warne tweeted, “can we make the Boxing Day Test against the West Indies a day-night Test please, how good would that be! Agree, followers?” Most seemed to. Not long after, the Melbourne Cricket Ground Twitter account was in on the act with a poll asking: “What's your preferred time of day to watch the MCG Boxing Day Test?” Already, it's safe to assume this Test isn't going to be merely a novelty, but the start of something big.
Mixed fortunes for the Marsh family
Shaun Marsh came to the crease in only the third over of the day after the departure of Adam Voges, with plenty of pressure on him, already the subject of some debate over his inclusion for the injured Usman Khawaja and with a Test average of just 33. What transpired was a nightmare when, with just two runs to his name, Marsh pushed a ball to mid-off, didn't call, then stopped and started with batting partner Steve Smith wondering what on earth was going on. A superb bit of fielding from Brendon McCullum and a direct hit at the bowlers' end later, Marsh was on his way. Just 13 runs later, his brother followed him for four after dangling the bat unnecessarily at a wide delivery from Doug Bracewell. But things improved substantially for Mitch at least later in the day with a catch, then the two big wickets of Kane Williamson and Brendon McCullum.
An injured Starc is still better than none
It's patently obvious Mitch Starc's absence due to stress fractures of the foot is going to leave a big hole in Australia's attack. But there was more than enough evidence to suggest they'll miss his batting as well. There was plenty of doubt whether Starc would even bat until he hobbled to the crease. And despite being hit on the foot several times, inducing several expletive-fuelled grimaces, he proved invaluable, adding 34 with Peter Nevill for the last wicket, and finishing on 24 not out. That little cameo included three fours and two big sixes, 20 of them coming in just one over from Kiwi tweaker Mark Craig. It's that sort of clean striking that has been a feature of the Australia tail while Starc and the now-retired Mitch Johnson have been part of the line-up, and it will be hard to replace, regardless of Starc's replacement for the next few Tests.
Should the team masseur be fielding in a Test match?
It was Michael Slater who raised the question, and it certainly met with a strong negative response on social media. The debate arose after Australian team masseur Grant Baldwin, subbing for the injured Mitch Starc, fumbled a potential run-out in the first over of New Zealand's second innings, then, after McCullum smashed a straight drive past bowler Mitch Marsh's outstretched hands, allowed the spills to go straight through his legs for three runs. Some may have been unaware Baldwin, 28, is actually a former Victorian second XI player. The last of those games, however, was nearly eight years ago. You had to feel sorry for Baldwin, in any case, and he was subsequently replaced by a local grade cricketer.
