Boult continues to show his value ...
Normal practice would be to file a match review at the game’s conclusion.
And, this will be the case again. I hope you enjoy my review later in the week.
But for now, I thought I could get a few words down in anticipation of a fascinating final day. The first four days of this second test have offered up a multitude of discussion points.
~ Back-to-back centuries from Daryl Mitchell, the second being a ‘daddy hundred’ (credit: the great Graham Gooch) - also, sidenote: do not mess with Daryl Mitchell (son of John Mitchell: All Black coach and player)
~ A deserved hundred to Tom Blundell, after narrowly missing one at Lords. The series is seeing excellent work from both wicket-keepers, with both going about their work with a minimum of fuss.
~ Continued dedication to his craft from the ever-green Jimmy Anderson. Not long a thirty-something, Anderson has been a generational bowler for England, and his first innings return: three for 62, from 27 overs with nine maidens, was exceptional. His economy rate of 2.29 leads the field by a street.
~ Ollie Pope delivers a century from the number three spot. A pivotal position in any test batting line-up; Pope looked every bit the player many think he will be; his hundred also affirms Coach McCullum’s trust in his ability. 145 from 239 balls, with 13 fours and three sixes. And, most importantly, a strike-rate (SR) of 60
~ What more can you say about Joe Root? Back in the rank-and-file, and continuing to accumulate runs like Phil Mickelson gathers detractors. I said plenty in my last post - still, again he was incredibly impressive in his simplicity, and in his ability to be continually right in his preemptive reading. 176 from 211 balls, with 26 fours, and an outrageous ‘ramped’ six.
Sidenote on Mr Mickelson: if you share my curiosity - a must read is ‘Phil’ by leading golf writer, Alan Shipnuck
Which brings me to the most noteworthy contribution to date, in my humble opinion.
To give it some context, and padding!
This morning, England were finally bowled out for 539, with Joe Root making a peerless 176; yes more Root gloating. This from the dominant position of five for 473 at the start of play. New Zealand allowed only 66 runs to be added, cleaning up an inept England tail, providing an unexpected lead of 14.
England’s inability to prolong innings, while adding valuable lower-order runs, will continue to be an achilles heal … more on this in the review.
Who was responsible: Michael Bracewell collected two wickets, and the important run-out of Ben Foakes. And, yes, the dependable Trent Boult did the rest, mainly removing Root with a perfectly pitched slower ball, and then castling the hapless Matt Potts - who did register his first runs in test cricket, and you would imagine an apology to teammate Foakes.
Boult, once again, proved to be the most potent member of New Zealand’s bowling attack, prospering principally against England’s right-handers, where he could operate from either side of the wicket with equal menace.
The previous evening (Day Three) he delivered an almost unplayable ball to opener Zak Crawley. Crawley will lament in saying it was one of those deliveries that makes the job of an opener inequitable. He had end-of-day figures of three for 89, adding centurion Ollie Pope, and the out-of-sorts Jonny Bairstow.
For me, though; Boult’s defining moment of the day was him eagerly taking up the remainder of Kyle Jamieson’s over, this after Jamieson was forced to retire to the physio’s bench with a suspected back injury.
The modus operandi in similar situations will be a non-bowler sending down a few hopeful balls to close out the interrupted over; mainly in the cause of optimism, over assertion. Not for Boult, he wasn’t having any of it - why wouldn't your best bowler resume operations - this he did, hitting the 80mph mark first ball - and you guessed, on a perfect line and length.
Some players just get it; Boult gives the impression he has got it from the get-go.
Another example was his contribution to Michael Bracewell’s first test wicket.
Bracewell, who has looked impressive on debut in all facets, had held his immature off-spinning nerve by tempting Ben Stokes to clear the ropes again, as he had done previously in the over. Some drop and bounce invoked a three-quarter top edge, leaving Boult to circle a steepling outfield catch. Which he did, then came the smile, and immediate acknowledgement toward his thankful teammate.
In (nearly) every elongated sporting career there would be an inflection point, a stage in their career when the athlete no longer plays for their place on a team, or their standing on a tour. The hope; returning yourself to the formative joys of sport and competition; removing fear, replacing fear with optimism and opportunity.
If asked; I’m not sure Trent Boult would have a definitive answer as to when his own inflection point occurred. It might well of been during a stage in his career, rather than a specific match or innings. What is for sure, though, is that it happened. He plays with a perfect blend of freedom and responsibility, being true to himself, and, always, accountable to his team.
I believe New Zealand cricket has always shunned professionalism; internally, this is probably perceived as a strength, almost a weapon, not shared among the wider test-playing community. There must some ‘All-Black’ thinking in their make-up; playing for the jersey, as opposed to playing for material gain.
Trent Boult demonstrates these values. I believe he is supremely comfortable in his own space, and plays the game on his own terms. There is much to come from the Rotorua native.
Day Five dawns with the weather set fair, and both sides are neck-deep in this game. The draw seems improbable; the book-makers will be holding plenty there, smiling all the way to their bank - that’s if they use one!
A lead of 238 has New Zealand in a strong position; they have the form batter of the series at the crease, Daryl Mitchell, and will be hoping he can pilot them toward the 300 mark, and beyond.
England will trust the first ball with either; Stuart Broad or Jimmy Anderson, neither likely to suffer stage nerves. An enthralling day awaits.
Thank you once again for being here.
