Enforcing a Follow on
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Less than three weeks ago New Zealand became only the fourth side to win a test match after being asked to follow on.
“No team will ever enforce the follow on again after that loss.”
Well today New Zealand enforced the follow on at the same ground.
Deciding on whether or not to enforce the follow on is a very subjecting thing. There are a lot of factors to take into account; primarily around the ability of your bowlers to back up in the field.
The Sri Lanka innings lasted 67 overs which would be near the cusp of a figure where you would lean towards the point of batting again. Henry ad bowled 20 overs (mostly today) so it was a bit of a surprise to see him opening up in the second innings.
One thing in favour of enforcing was that M Bracewell was starting to get a fair bit of turn towards the end of the Sri Lanka innings so that could ease the load on the quicker bowlers.
Probably the biggest factor was the forecast bad weather for Tuesday played a part in it. These forecasts are pretty unequivocal and unless you’re Kate Hawkesby you take note of those. There is no point in getting an unassailable lead giving yourselves five sessions to bowl the opposition out if you only get to use two of those.
It is way too early to say whether it was the right choice to enforce. Sri Lanka has lost two wickets including the impressive Dimuth Karunaratne, but Mendis and Mathews are at the crease, and they have history in batting on the fourth day at The Basin. The key will be how the New Zealand bowlers back up tomorrow and whether there is more turn.
Statchat
Michael Bracewell became the first New Zealand spinner to take 3 wickets or more in the first innings of a test at home for over 10 years. The previous player was Bruce Martin.