That Escalated Quickly

The fun started before play commenced.  New Zealand going for the extra batsman was a tactic not many had predicted.  But it makes some sense given the way England is playing under this regime.

But despite all their recent success they have only batted for over a day 3 times in their last 21 innings.

But for the tactic to work New Zealand needed Mitchell to get through some overs it needed to having Blundell standing up to him.  It was a leaf out of what England did at the Mount, and those early overs to Brook were fascinating viewing.  Once Brook got going that tactic was abandoned, and the downside of the gamble was exposed.

The match got underway in front of almost a full house and with large queues outside.

And it started with a maiden first up.  It took until the third session at the Mount before we got one of those.

When Crawley finally managed to nick one it felt like the England innings could now commence.

Two screaming Bracewell catches later England was 21-3, and Henry and Southee were on top.

But the Basin pitch never misbehaves for long.  Brook came out and attacked from the start and Root batted like classic Root; waiting until he was 88 before bringing out the reverse lap.  Impeccably timed as always, he brought up his three figures just as the rain came in, simultaneously bringing up Wagner’s ton.

The New Zealand attack quickly had a two tier look to it, but even the opening bowlers, who bowled well throughout, couldn’t get the breakthrough.  But nothing should be taken away from the English pair and their 4 ½ hours of imperious batting.

The treatment of Wagner was once again the main dispiriting aspect of the day.  It had the feel of a boxer hanging around for one bout too many.

The hosts desperately need a repeat of the opening 30 minutes tomorrow to get back into the test.  Otherwise it will be a day of statchat, more records and Bazball hawk gloating.

Extras

The Crusaders theme song being played when the New Zealand team was read out.  There is only one place you can get away with that, and it’s not in Wellington.

Burning two reviews in the first 30 minutes was always a possibility with Tim Southee as captain.  TimReviewBall.  Although with the second review, the LBW for Root) Matt Henry put in one top notch alpha appeal applying more pressure on Southee than on the umpire.

And check out the runs scored by England batters coming in at 5 in this era.

Root and Brook put on the biggest fourth wicket stand at the Basin.  England’s all-time 4th wicket partnership is 411.