New Zealand v England: 2nd Test, Day 4 - England Waiting on the Weather and Jack Leach

 

New Zealand v England: 2^nd Test, Day 4

England Waiting on the Weather and Jack Leach

April 2^nd 2018

Given that England lost two almost full days to the weather in the 1^st Test (and still could not save it) it seems churlish to begrudge New Zealand a few overs lost to bad light. However, it is, of course different when it is you own team that is being unlucky. The major difference was that even with the equivalent of five sessions lost, England’s chances of saving the Test were small while, in the current Test, bad light could ruin a fabulous finish, with all four results possible at the start of the day.

First thing to say is that Joe Root has set an eminently fair declaration that gives both sides a chance. The nightmare scenario is that New Zealand finish 8 or 9 wickets down and just short of the target when the light closes in (remember The Oval 2013, when a ridiculously ambitious Australian declaration almost let England in for a shock win as the light failed). It is a big chase, but England’s best chance of forcing a win might just be for New Zealand to go for the target. Nominally, the required run-rate is only about 3.5, although forcing batting has not been easy for either side. New Zealand have made a decent start and may just be thinking that if they can get to Lunch without too much damage, they can re-assess and think about making a push for victory.

The key to an England win is undoubtedly going to be Jack Leach. If Joe Root is brave enough to give him properly attacking fields, there is turn available and, if the batsmen play a few shots, he could get among the wickets. The other factor is time. With bad light looking certain to curtail play well before the 98 overs are done, England will need Leach to bowl his overs swiftly enough to get enough in to take ten wickets. Ideally, Leach will attack at one end, with Anderson, Broad and Wood rotating at the other. The other thing that Root can try is to pair Leach with Malan or with himself for a couple of spells and try to buy a wicket or two. This will be a major test of Root's tactical acumen and willingness to learn.

England would have liked to declare earlier and with a bigger lead but, despite runs all down the order, no one could force the pace for long – the fastest scoring was in the brief cameos of Broad and Wood – and no one could get close to Vince’s 76, which may just have saved his Test career. The New Zealand attack closed the match down, bowled no more overs than they absolutely had to and their support bowlers spoilt the party by taking the six wickets to fall in the day, stopping the possibility if the opening bowlers on either side beating the mark of taking the first twenty-three wickets of the match, set in 1902 and 1912.

Whichever way the series ends today, it has been played in the right spirit: had, but fair and with both sides respecting the other. Hopefully cricket and not the weather, will be the winner on the final day of the series and of the tour. Back in England (and the Caribbean), the First Class season has started. For several of the side, early season runs on their return may be critical to their hopes of lining-up against Pakistan at the end of May.