Black Caps skip’s dilemma: To declare or not to declare
The pitch is on the slow side, so they need to be brave. We are expecting an early declaration. We are ready for that. Younis Khan, Pakistan batting coach
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson faces a tricky decision on the fourth day of the first cricket test in Mt Maunganui.
How long should they bat in their second innings?
Pakistan’s dismissal for 239 — a deficit of 192 — means the follow-on’s out of the equation for the first time this summer.
On the positive side, the Black Caps get a chance to rest tiring bowlers, given victories in this series are the ticket to a test championship final next year. News of the undisplaced fracture to Neil Wagner’s fourth right toe is an example. The left-armer toiled what might be described as “Wagnificently” to haul in two for 50 from 21 overs, but needs careful management. Fellow bowlers Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson and Mitchell Santner will too, if Wagner has a reduced workload in the second innings.
The New Zealanders also avoid facing Yasir Shah in the fourth innings on a wearing pitch. In seven fourth innings away from Pakistan’s pseudo home of the United Arab Emirates, his 20 wickets have come at 22.65. His deliveries are like facing live chainsaws out of the dust in deteriorating conditions. Whether the current surface breaks down to such a level remains debatable.
Compare that to the third innings of away matches where he has 31 wickets at 29.06. New Zealand must seize the advantages where they can.
Time could be a factor, given how the match has been truncated by rain. Two days are unlikely to be enough time to cater for two full innings.
A definitive target might help the Black Caps’ cause. Hesitancy can cause second innings collapses. Three examples spring to mind.
Against the West Indies at Dunedin in 1980, a 109-run first innings lead reduced to a last-wicket second innings scramble for a leg bye from Gary Troup and Stephen Boock in the chase for 104.
Against England at Manchester in 2008, a 179-run lead turned into a sixwicket victory for the hosts when they dismissed New Zealand for 114 in the second innings and chased 294.
Against India at Auckland in 2014, a 303-run lead saw the hosts hold on to win by 40 runs, despite getting rolled for 105 in their return at bat.
Pakistan batting coach Younis Khan summed up best. “The pitch is on the slow side, so they need to be brave. We are expecting an early declaration. We are ready for that.”