Mark Waugh Reveals Reason Why New Zealand Can't Win Boxing Day Test
Published - 27 Dec 2019, 04:04 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:02 AM
New Zealand and Australia are currently playing the second Test match at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. After beating the visitors in the first Test match at Perth by 296 runs, the hosts have set the foundation once again and are on the driving seat over the Kiwis. Meanwhile, former Australia skipper Mark Waugh has launched a scathing attack on New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner for his indifferent performance in the ongoing Boxing Day Test.
Though pacers like Neil Wagner, Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme did their best to take wickets when it demanded on the first day, Australia clawed their way back into the game with the help of Steve Smith and Travis Head as the hosts ended the day on 257/4, with Smith batting on 77* and Head on 25*.
However, in the following day, the visitors hardly channelised the aggression and as a result, they let the hosts dictate tempo in the game to post a staggering total of 467 in their first innings with Head smashing a sensational 114 and Smith ended up scoring 79.
Santner is not a Test match bowler: Mark Waugh
On the contrary, Mitchell Santner was smashed by Australian batters as he gave away 82 runs in his 20 overs. He was on the receiving end as he couldn’t apply any further pressure in his bowling and failed to even pick up even a single wicket. Mark Waugh gave a perfect explanation as to why Mitchell Santner doesn’t have the tools to be a Test match bowler.
“He’s a one-day bowler, not a Test match bowler. If you’re an orthodox bowler the one thing you’ve got to have is accuracy, yet he doesn’t have that. He doesn’t spin the ball a lot so you’ve got to have accuracy and he doesn’t have that. He bowls short balls, too many easy scoring balls,” Waugh was quoted as saying by Fox Sports.
Waugh also revealed that he is the main reason why New Zealand don’t stand a chance to win this Test match. “I think it’s a real big issue and the reason why they can’t win this Test,” he added.
Waugh also highlighted that a team needs to have a decent spinner in Australia who can upset the batsmen. “You’ve got to have a decent spinner in Australia or at least a spinner who can get wickets,” said Waugh.
Waugh said that he has no idea why Santner is playing the Test match. “At the moment he isn’t doing that and he’s not keeping it tight so I don’t know what they’ll do in Sydney, they’ll maybe have to bring in a leg-spinner because I can’t see Santner playing,” he added.
