I sit despondent on a rainy afternoon, musing on the state of New Zealand cricket.
We have just lost the second test against a less than awe inspiring Pakistan lineup, who we restricted to 264 and 239 in their two innings. Not a huge mountain to ascend, one would think, until one realises that NZ made just 99 runs in their first innings. Oh dear.
Kiwis are dogged battlers, and we have occasionally pulled off miracles, so when Vettori et al went after a total of 405 in the last innings, with more than two days left to bat, it looked remotely possible. If only the top order could occupy their crease and achieve reasonable totals. Just one 100, three or four 50s, and a few more in double figures. But above all, to stay there and bat out. We might have done it. There was nothing in the pitch, a batsman’s paradise, the commentators were saying.
But no. The opening partnership was broken in the second over with four runs on the board. The other opener survived 12 more overs. Number 3 gone just two overs later. Three of our four (allegedly) best batsmen gone in less than 20 overs, for less than 50 runs. Ross Taylor played a patient innings until he began to run out of recognised partners, then a stray shot had him caught on 97. Frustrating for Taylor, disaster for New Zealand.
Yes, we almost got one 100. And there was one 40, which is nearly 50, but this was by the number 8 (Vettori). And not a lot else. Mostly what were we lacking was partnerships. There was only one in excess of 50 (the 6th wicket). Three over 30, and one of those was the 9th wicket. The opening three partnerships netted only 37 runs. Our 3rd wicket (which should have been our best two batsmen) contributed one run. I feel like tearing my hair.
So the question is – do we have enough batsmen to make up a top order? Sadly, I think the answer is no. The best partnership was between Ross Taylor (number 4) and Brendon McCullum (number 7). Our second-top scorer was Vettori, who batted at 8. And there really isn’t anyone else worth mentioning. That leaves five empty batting spaces (given that our four best bowlers, who did a good job, include Vettori, and there may be a case for Elliot, as he can bowl a bit). But I’m afraid Messers McIntosh, Guptil, Flynn, and Fulton probably need to brush up their CVs. Because they sure ain’t doing the job as top order batsmen.
Daniel Vettori was quoted as saying yesterday, when NZ was three down after one session and had 330 or so runs to chase, “It’s going to be difficult. We are under no illusions that it’s a long way but we just have to believe.”
No Dan, I’m afraid that’s not enough. That might work for the Disney Corporation, but for international top order batsmen, they actually have to be able to bat.
Postscript: to add insult to injury, it began to rain just minutes after the fall of the final NZ wicket, and has continued to rain since. If tomorrow is rainy, we may have been able to burgle a draw, if only someone had stayed in.
Tags: cricket, New Zealand