Black Caps find an unlikely ally
New Zealand aren’t stealing too many leaves from Cricket Australia’s playbook right now, except one: their team’s gritty fightback against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates last month.
Australia’s final-day scrap to secure a first-test draw in Dubai provides a reference point for the Black Caps, bracing for one of test cricket’s most daunting assignments starting tonight (7pm NZT).
With captain Kane Williamson likely to defy a groin niggle and lead the side, the top-seven rounded out by BJ Watling and Colin de Grandhomme face a test of technique and patience against seamer Mohammad Abbas – with
59 wickets from his first 10 tests – and dual spin threat Yasir Shah and Bilal Asif.
‘‘It’s a war of attrition, a battle within yourself to stay within the gameplan. That’s not just batting but bowling,’’ said coach Gary Stead.
"When the wickets are so flat it’s playing that waiting game and being comfortable with that without getting too frustrated.’’
With captain Tim Paine leading the way, Australia batted out a draw on the final day in Dubai after trailing by 280 on the first innings. It went downhill after that when Abbas took 10 wickets in Pakistan’s series-clinching
373-run win in Abu Dhabi, but that first-test performance offers hope for other desert visitors.
‘‘The encouraging thing Australia did is hang on in that first test match. Hopefully that put some slight doubt in Pakistan’s mind in the way they go about things, and maybe they have to play at a slightly faster rate,’’ Stead said.
The coach knows spin will play a big part. Australian offspinner Nathan Lyon caused havoc on the first morning in Abu Dhabi, taking four wickets in six deliveries, which may encourage New Zealand to hand their lanky offie Will Somerville a test debut at 34, against left-handers Imam-ul-Haq and Haris Sohail.
Left-armer Ajaz Patel will debut at age 30, Stead confirmed, and be partnered by either
At a glance
New Zealand v Pakistan, first test.
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi; day one from 7pm.
Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Will Somerville, Ajaz Patel, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Tom Blundell.
Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Babar Azam, Saad Ali, Yasir Shah, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Mir Hamza.
Pakistan $1.65, NZ $3.80, draw $4.25 Somerville or legspinner Ish Sodhi, who at least has test experience with 15 to his name.
‘‘The spinners will have big workloads across the three tests so there may be the opportunity to spell people at times to get the best out of others.’’
The pacemen will rotate, too, in the heat on flat pitches with test specialist Neil Wagner likely to start off alongside either Trent Boult or Tim Southee.
Speedster Lockie Ferguson showed during the 1-1 ODI series draw how a well-directed bouncer barrage can unsettle the Pakistan batsmen and Wagner has rarely been averse to that.
Said Stead: ‘‘It’s a method that’s worked for Wags in the past, even though our decks a bit bouncier than here. Sometimes when it’s not bouncing it can be tougher because you’re not sure which ones to go under.’’
Abbas showed pace can be a factor in the UAE with his 18 wickets in two tests against Australia. Before the spinners twirl into gear he’ll test out Tom Latham and Jeet Raval, the latter back from a lean winter with scores of 1, 7, 97 and 21 for NZA against Pakistan A.
Four years ago in the UAE New Zealand were hammered first up, bounced back to draw the second test then won in Sharjah to level the series.
For Stead on his first tour in charge a drawn series would be an excellent result, one that looks more hopeful than confident given Pakistan’s extreme confidence in conditions they know well.
What:
When, where:
New Zealand (from):
Pakistan (from):
TAB odds: