How the test was won
The old adage of never changing a winning team will be hotly debated by the Black Caps’ hierarchy as they chase a first offshore test series victory over Pakistan in nearly 50 years.
First up, the dressing room celebrations kicked off at full volume for the New Zealanders in Abu Dhabi after their four-run win over Pakistan in a mindboggling finish to the first test.
After captain Kane Williamson labelled it a great advertisement for test cricket, an emotional man of the match Ajaz Patel said from the dressing room: ‘‘A lot of people are telling me it’s not always like this but I’m going to cherish every moment. I’m never going to forget this day.’’
Neither will too many viewers from back home who stayed up until just before midnight to witness debutant Patel’s cool-headed spell of spin and a madcap Pakistan collapse of 7-41 as they pursued 176.
After a day off – the scheduled fifth day of the test – the Black Caps will reboard the bus on a familiar highway to Dubai, scene of Saturday’s second test.
Not since 1969 when New Zealand won 1-0 with victory in Lahore have they beaten Pakistan in an away test series.
Williamson was quick to sound a note of caution, after rating it one of his side’s best
wins for the way they went toe to toe and played the long game against tough opponents.
‘‘It’d be more pleasing if we went further in front and stayed in front. That’s not the game we play,’’ he said.
‘‘We’ve seen how it can ebb and flow in these conditions and wickets can fall in clumps and it can be challenging to start [with
the bat]. It’s about trying to keep your composure and implement your gameplan to make a contribution.’’
Exhibit A: the crucial 112-run stand in the second innings between BJ Watling and Henry Nicholls which enabled them to set some kind of target.
Still, both sides suffered spectacular batting collapses with
New Zealand losing their last six wickets for 30 in the first innings, then topping it with 6-29 in the second.
When Williamson and coach Gary Stead sit down for selection discussions the focus will go on allrounder Colin de Grandhomme after his batting struggles continued with 0 and 3, and adequate but hardly destructive
medium pace.
The other poser is the spin department where Stead’s vow to rotate his spinners will see Will Somerville in consideration for Ish Sodhi. The legspinner was good at times but too loose at others, although his batting is a plus and he’s a potential stop-gap at seven.
As Ajaz Patel spun the Black Caps to a narrow win over Pakistan on Monday night, he had the backing of his team-mates at Taradale Cricket Club.
Since moving to Hawke’s Bay from Auckland in 2012, that’s where the left-arm spinner has plied his trade, leaving a strong impression.
Sean Davies coached Taradale’s senior team until this season and has liked what he’s seen from Patel, in particular the mindset he displayed when dropping down from Central Districts duty.
‘‘His attitude towards club cricket is of a similar standard to how he conducts himself in the first-class game. He’s incredibly professional,’’ Davies said.
‘‘Often you can see a first-class cricketer, when they come back to club level, the effort’s not necessarily as good as it could be, but he’s the polar opposite. He’s a fantastic professional, in every sense.’’
Davies said there had been
plenty of interest in Patel on Monday night, as he took 5-59 to help the Black Caps to a four-run win in Abu Dhabi.
‘‘There were a lot of messages going on and a lot of support. A lot of people stayed up late last night to watch him bring the game home and I think a lot of people would have been jumping up and down, especially when he got that last one.’’
Patel has been one of the standout performers in the
Plunket Shield in recent years, claiming more wickets over the past three seasons than anyone else. Last season he took 48 wickets at an average of 21.52 and was named NZ Cricket’s domestic player of the year.
He turned 30 in October, made his international debut at the end of the month in the Black Caps’ Twenty20 series against Pakistan, then received the nod for his test debut last week.
‘‘He’s a guy who, through a lot of hard work, has learnt his trade,’’ Davies said.
‘‘He’s very successful at club level, he’s been a phenomenal performer at first-class level.
‘‘He’s had quite a few knocks along the way and probably could have earned a callup a lot sooner, but at no stage has he ever moaned or complained about it, he’s just got on with his task and just got better and better.
‘‘He’s clearly set himself the goal of making the most of his abilities and he’s rolled with the punches and never once complained or given up. He’s been fantastic.’’
Davies said Patel had a strong connection to Taradale, touching base even when out of town with Central Districts, or more recently, the Black Caps.
‘‘It’s a phenomenal relationship. What I like about him is he follows the results of Taradale regularly.
‘‘Even if he’s on the road, he’ll look at the results and pass his congratulations on about performances, he’s in regular contact with the group. Even given how busy he is with his own cricket career, he’s still got time to do that, which is great.’’