Sport THE REST IS HISTORY Black Caps brace for cliffhanger in Dubai
That went better than a lot of people expected.
Now we get to the tough part.
It’s all very well toppling Pakistan in a four-run thriller, as New Zealand did with patience and tenacity in Abu Dhabi, but going back-to-back on turning subcontinent pitches remains their ultimate challenge in today’s second test in Dubai (7pm NZ time).
It’s such a challenge that New Zealand have never won more than once in a test series in Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates or India. In away tests against Pakistan, they’ve now won four of 25 and just a solitary series, 1-0 in 1969, nearly half a century ago.
It seems odd, but given how surprisingly spin-friendly the Abu Dhabi pitch was, and Dubai promises to be, it actually brings New Zealand into the contest, according to coach Gary Stead.
‘‘If you look at the history in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the first three days are pretty batter-friendly and you see some high scores before it breaks up. The first test wicket spun from the first day and it probably keeps both teams in it when you see the clumps of wickets that can fall quickly.’’
Which probably suggests the hosts felt the Black Caps would crumble if the pitches served up were dryer and took sharp turn earlier, a fair assumption on past form.
Their lower order did in both innings, but Pakistan’s batsmen weren’t much better and their fourth day collapse of 7-41 at the hands of Ajaz Patel and Neil Wagner gave New Zealand belief for the rest of the series.
‘‘I always knew there was a lot of spirit in the team and this certainly showed that. It was a test match you could argue Pakistan should have won,’’ Stead said.
‘‘We’re realistic that it wasn’t a test victory where we blew them out of the water, it was a hard fought, close test match. If they’re all like that it’s going to be exciting cricket and I expect they could be.’’
Now he and captain Kane Williamson have to pick a team to deny Pakistan a second time, and close out the series with game three in Abu Dhabi to spare.
Stead doesn’t subscribe to the ‘never change a winning team’ mantra and presented four or five selection scenarios which would see minor tweaks to the XI.
Senior swing bowler Tim Southee could return, with Will Somerville in consideration for a debut in a rarely seen spin trio with Patel and Ish Sodhi on an abrasive, turning pitch.
Allrounder Colin de Grandhomme could get one more chance to break his form slump and display his match-turning qualities. But if they get ruthless, Stead suggested an extra bowler or backup batsman Tom Blundell could slot in at seven.
Who bowls the best spin, and combats it most effectively, should win it. Legspinner Yasir Shah, with eight wickets in the first test, is again Pakistan’s main threat.
New Zealand really shouldn’t have won after scoring 153 batting first so they’ll want to get in front early and try to stave Pakistan off. Play the long game was Stead’s mantra, take the test as far as possible with patient batting, as shown by Williamson, Jeet Raval, Henry Nicholls and BJ Watling.
All eyes will be on Patel backing up from his man of the match seven-wicket haul on debut, and Stead expected more of the same from the 30-year-old.
‘‘He’s very level-headed and he bowled superbly well, not only a defensive option to hold down the run rate but then after that taking critical wickets in key moments.
‘‘He’s done that for Central Districts for three or four years and shown that he can make a step up now to test level. It’s fantastic to see and I’m sure he’ll take a lot of confidence from that.’’
Ireland play the United States in Dublin this weekend to wrap up their incredible year that includes the Six Nations crown.
Asked when he will make his decision public, Schmidt said: ‘‘I think certainly early next week; I’d like to be able to take a deep breath on Sunday.
‘‘I know I can’t continue to just go backwards and forwards, because to be honest I’ve beaten myself up enough about this decision.
‘‘I’m probably going to be the most pleased of anyone, when it finally is made.
‘‘But it’s a decision that’s been a long time coming. The family I have probably committed most to is this family I live with in Carton House [Ireland’s training base] as much as it is the family I have at home.
‘‘We’ve put our heads together and tried to reconcile how we can best cater for both.’’
Schmidt has got the better of the All Blacks twice in their last three meetings, engineering a historic first win over New Zealand in Chicago in 2016 and then giving Ireland their first home win over the world champions.
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