NZ pair face fitness tests
Injured Black Caps Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme are being given every chance to prove their fitness for the upcoming tour of Australia.
Both missed the drawn second test against England in Hamilton after suffering injuries during the first test at Mount Maunganui. Boult had a muscle strain overlying his ribs on his right side while all-rounder de Grandhomme had a tear to his left lower abdominal muscle.
Black Caps coach Gary Stead, speaking after the second test was abandoned, said the pair would have bowling workouts today and on Friday before a decision is made whether they will travel to Perth. ‘‘They’re both progressing well, which is encouraging for us,’’ Stead said.
If one or both aren’t fit enough, New Zealand will bring replacements into the squad, with Daryl Mitchell, who impressed in his test debut at Seddon Park, the most likely to come in for de Grandhomme, with squad members Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson vying for Boult’s position in the XI.
‘‘Colin could have kept bowling through the test match, so he’s probably a little bit more advanced, but Trent scrubbed up well today, which was encouraging,’’ Stead said.
‘‘I don’t know if I’m really confident – I’m quietly optimistic. They’re both tracking where we want them to be at.’’
Earlier yesterday, England’s slim chances of levelling the series spilt through their hands.
Wicketkeeper Ollie Pope and team-mate Joe Denly dropped simple chances – Denly’s qualifying as one of test cricket’s greatest howlers – on the rainshortened final day of the second test.
That allowed New Zealand captain Kane Williamson the opportunity to score his 21st test century and batting partner Ross Taylor followed him soon after with his 19th ton in tests.
The expected rain arrived at 1.55pm, soon after Williamson and Taylor had registered their centuries and guided their team to a draw to claim the series 1-0 after their victory in Mount Maunganui.
When play was called off at 3.54pm, Williamson was unbeaten on 104 and Taylor 105 not out, with the duo adding an unbroken 213 for the third wicket partnership – a record against England.
England may long ponder what could have been.
When Ben Stokes took an around-the-wicket path to New Zealand’s key batsman in the fourth over of the final day, it prompted the skipper to glove a
T Latham c Rootbwoakes ..................... 18 J Raval lbw Curran ......................................... 2 Kwilliamson not out................................104 R Taylor not out .......................................... 105 Extras (b2 lb3 nb1 pen 5)........................... 14 Total (for 2 wkts) ........................................ 241 Fall: 2 (Raval), 28 (Latham). Bowling: S Broad 9-0-28-0, S Curran 16-2-56-1, J Archer 12-1-27-0, Cwoakes 11-4-12-1, B Stokes 14-1-58-0, J Denly 9-1-27-0, J Root 4-1-23-0.
Match drawn.
NZ win two-test series 1-0.
short one through to stand-in wicketkeeper Pope.
But the 21-year-old, who was given the keeping duties when Jos Buttler was injured, made a hash of the chance, diving and allowing the ball to go through his gloved hands.
Williamson was then on 39. To make matters worse for the tourists, Williamson was shelled again by Denly in a miss that stunned everyone.
The Black Caps captain was fooled by a delivery from paceman Jofra Archer and pushed the ball gently to the England fielder at a short mid-wicket.
But Denly let it fall through his hands, also being unable to pouch it on the second attempt as it fell softly to the ground – horrifying Archer, who had already wheeled away in glee.