Things NZ fans may
We haven’t quite been at our best this series, we know that. We want to improve, so it’s a chance to bowl the way we know.
but the ground fielding has also suffered moments of shabbiness.
The Black Caps are renowned as the equivalent of a circus act in world cricket with their agility and accuracy in the field, but need to improve on recent glitches. A blinder or two, perhaps instigated by ESPN Sportscenter favourite Trent Boult, could deliver the necessary impetus.
3Trent Boult and Tim Southee get into full swing.
They form a formidable combination when both are attacking simultaneously. A mixture of full, swinging deliveries and short, body-cramping balls took most of the wickets on the first day.
Ideally, they might benefit from some extra life in a pitch which has sweated under covers for more than 36 hours. No form of complacency can afford to enter the Black Caps’ bowling mindset with comparable first innings totals on the board.
“It’ll be a good opportunity with the ball for us,” bowling coach Shane Jurgensen said. “We haven’t quite been at our best this series, we know that. We want to improve, so it’s a chance to bowl the way we know.”
4Batsmen demonstrate confidence against spin.
Shakib Al Hasan’s three wickets from nine balls before stumps on the second day created the sort of New Zealand dressing room turnstile normally reserved for the subcontinent.
The hosts slumped from 252 for four to 256 for seven as he delivered his left-arm orthodox wares. It raised questions about what Bangladesh’s premier spinner might deliver in the fourth innings.
One imagines the spell would also pique the interest of South Africa’s latest left-arm orthodox spinner Keshav Maharaj ahead of their arrival.
Jurgensen, a former Bangladesh coach, suggested the following approach to Shakib: “He’s always been good at white-ball cricket. He likes it when people try to be aggressive to him. I think it’s important for us to be positive, not so much by trying to hit fours and sixes, but always looking to score singles and twos to make the most of a quick outfield. That’s the best way to attack him.
NZ bowling coach Shane Jurgensen
5Ross Taylor reaches a record 17th test ton.
This potential milestone will start to resemble a millstone if it endures beyond this test. That’s not Taylor’s fault, but with scores of 40, 60 and 77 this series, he’s had three chances to equal the New Zealand test record of his late mentor Martin Crowe.
The public is willing him on, but a race with Kane Williamson (15 centuries) is now on the horizon. Cricket drives players for different reasons and statistics are a component of Taylor’s motivation. Harnessed correctly, that ambition could enhance rather than detract from the team objectives.
However, this mark cannot afford to be a distraction in pursuit of the Holy Grail — a maiden series victory against South Africa, the only testplaying country New Zealand have not beaten in a rubber.