By RICHARD BOOCK
NAPIER - The Australian cricketers yesterday received their first indication that Mathew Sinclair's test debut heroics were not just some elaborate hoax hatched to boost the country's morale after the disappointment of the All Blacks.
But for a highlights tape of his double-century against the West Indies, the most Australia have seen of Sinclair on this tour has been a 41-ball struggle in the sixth one-day international at Auckland, and they could be forgiven for remaining unconvinced about his star billing.
Before Central Districts began their second innings against Australia at McLean Park, the 24-year-old right-hander had made scores against the tourists of 0, 0, 19, 8, 6 and 3, but he made a welcome return to form yesterday with a solid 75 in his team's total of 207 for four.
Trailing by 47 runs on the first innings after bowling Australia out for 207 yesterday, Central made a much better fist of their second innings and at stumps led by 160 runs with six wickets in hand after a second-wicket stand of 138 between Sinclair and David Kelly (67).
On a wicket which is becoming flatter by the hour, the pair consolidated the innings after the early loss of New Zealand opener Craig Spearman, coping reasonably comfortably with a makeshift Australian attack which featured a lot of part-timers but very little of express paceman Brett Lee.
Lee bowled just seven overs, with Michael Kasprowicz and Damien Fleming heading the attack, and Colin Miller, Greg Blewett, Damien Martyn and Matthew Hayden lending honest, albeit unspectacular, support.
Sinclair, who batted for a valuable 183 minutes after bringing up his 50 in 122 minutes, appeared to feature in several conversations with the opposition, and said afterwards the gamesmanship helped his concentration.
"For me personally, it's an emotional thing," he said. "I enjoy people giving me a bit of stick. It stirs me on even more.
"That sort of thing's never going to stop. They're going to chat it up and the likes of Lee will always be charging in, bowling short at you - nothing's going to change. As a batsman, you just have to focus on your job."
For all that, Sinclair conceded he was feeling the pressure after the run of low scores, particularly with the second test looming, and was pleased not only that he had a good look at Australia, but that Australia had a good look at him.
"It's good for them to see me bat for a while, instead of just looking back at that other innings. I heard Steve Waugh say at one stage 'you're not playing against Courtney Walsh now, mate, you're playing against Brett Lee.' And he's right."
New Zealand start the second test at the Basin Reserve on Friday, and with Spearman desperately seeking form and Matt Horne struggling to make a successful return from injury, Sinclair's cameo was timely.
Cricket: Sinclair fires test warning
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