An unaffordable non selection

By Rahul Patil

I have been to every basin test since 2012 and over the years the pitch has hardly ever changed. It always has a generous covering of grass on day one. Today in fact, it looked a tad bit less than what I have seen in the years gone by. Yet 15 wickets fell in 81 overs. Had the same number of wickets fallen on a turning wicket in the subcontinent, several fingers would have been pointed, several eyebrows would have been raised and several questions would have been asked. For a long time now, poor batting techniques have tried to hide behind the curtain of blaming pitches. It’s a five-day game for a reason and its high time batters look in the mirror and get a reality check.

New Zealand learnt a harsh lesson in Christchurch when they let 71/4 turn into 499 by dropping 8 catches that should normally be taken at international level. Today they had England in tatters at 43/4. And once again Brook and Pope wrested back the initiative with a 174-run partnership. New Zealand was far better in the field today. But even that couldn’t save them from a calculated onslaught by two Englishmen who are making a habit of rescuing their team from a crisis.

Harry Brook continues to impress. He is clearly the leader of the next generation of batters. He gives a new meaning to the word fearless. What impressed me most is the clarity of his mind. You’ve got to be special player when you can charge down to fast bowlers and hit them for six over extra cover. Once again, he’s probably played a match winning innings. Once again, he continues to be the question that New Zealand has no answers to.

Both teams went into this match unchanged. The Blackcaps once again choosing to bench Will Young’s form. It continues to be a mind boggling non selection. Not sure when New Zealand’s batting stocks grew so rich that they can afford the luxury of benching the “man of the series” from their biggest series win ever. Who would I drop? Blundell. Give the gloves to Latham, and get William Alexander Young in. Yes, it’s a stop gap arrangement, but a necessary one that allows them to pick their best batters on current form.

Matt Henry was given the Will Young treatment in Sri Lanka. Today he showed us why he’s the undisputed leader of this attack. A Bumrahesque opening spell in which his figures at one stage were 4-4-0-2. His impeccable length being his most potent weapon.

Nathan Smith’s debut series has been an interesting one. He runs in hard, has the knack of picking up wickets but currently they are coming at a very expensive price. Test cricket is about picking 20 wickets, but when your batters are struggling to score the runs that you are conceding I am not sure what the right balance is?

Today, the scene was perfectly set up for a Tim Southee special. A fresh day one pitch, lots of swing and seam, a brand-new ball in hand but Southee couldn’t produce the magic that he has done so often for New Zealand. He looked tired today. Like an employee who’s given his notice and has other things on his mind. After today’s performance, the questions about his place in the side will only gather pace. He has been a great servant of New Zealand cricket for many years, and I’d like to see him go out on a high.

Where should I start about the batting? At 53/1 things were under control. In a matter of 9 overs New Zealand lost 4 for 33. The worst part is that we have seen this movie many times before. Conway once again driving on a up at one away from his body. Latham once again playing one onto his stumps with an angled bat. Darryl Mitchell trying to ride the bounce when he could have left it alone. Will O’Rourke who did a fabulous job with the ball then had to come out and shield the remaining batters till the close of play. The deficit of 194 currently looks unsurmountable and England currently hold all the aces.

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