On the third day of the recently concluded first Test between Australia and New Zealand in Perth, Australian batsman Matthew Wade and Kiwi pacer Neil Wagner were involved in an exciting battle.
It all happened during the last hour of the final session when Wagner’s spell was becoming too hot to handle for the southpaw. While Wade managed to survive the brutal spell of fast bowling, things weren’t easy for him.
Bowling around the wicket to the left-handed batsman, Wagner continuously bowled short-pitch deliveries, which hit Wade on the body several times.
Wade vs Wagner was a brutal head-to-head battle! 🤜🤛#AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/TA3RZKgXbk
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 14, 2019
“Keep coming, big boy,” Wade was quoted as saying to Wagner after one of the bouncers hit him.
The commentators also had a good laugh acknowledging Wade’s presence of mind and audacity as not often do we see a batsman sledging the bowler despite facing consecutive bouncers.
"Keep coming, big boy."
Not often you see the batsman sledging the bowler! #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/evIMv7PCYR
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 15, 2019
Meanwhile, Australia strode to a 296-run win over New Zealand in the first Test at Optus Stadium and took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
