This week, Christchurch is hosting Australian cricket enthusiasts, who have not come to escape the crisis enveloping their team back home. Apparently, they were so captivated by their experience during the 2-0 series victory earlier this year that they quickly booked a return visit. Who could blame them? As the franchise T20 format continues to spread like a red weed, creating a somewhat dystopian cricket landscape, this first Test between New Zealand and England offers a refreshing contrast, even if recent Test crowds in South Africa and Antigua have been disappointingly small.
The third day at Hagley Oval was a delightful spectacle, with packed grass banks filled with captivated spectators of all ages. As they departed to enjoy local bars and restaurants, the English fans were hopeful for a 1-0 series lead the following morning, with Chris Woakes receiving high praise. Woakes, whose Test cricket feats abroad often invite jokes about hiding his passport, found his name unfairly dragged into the debate over Jimmy Anderson's retirement. The second of these gripes ignored the seven-year age gap and Woakes' solid contributions at No 8, despite a loose edge to slip in the morning.
Having gone wicketless in the first innings and then watched Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse score 48 and 33 not out respectively, Woakes might have felt he was fighting for his Test career. However, with 11 years of Test experience, Woakes remains composed. As New Zealand slipped to 155 for six at stumps, leading by just four runs, Woakes' figures of three for 39 were crucial. Bowling a fuller length and extracting unexpected movement from the Kookaburra ball, he dismissed Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, and Tom Blundell. The wicket of Latham, caught at second slip for one, leveled the game, while the dismissals of Williamson and Blundell were particularly satisfying.
It may be premature to predict whether the Australian fans will see a 36-year-old Woakes on their shores next year, even if Brendon McCullum remains open to the idea. One player who seems ready for the trip is Carse, who, fresh from a strong start in Pakistan, added to his tally with the dismissal of Phillips for 19. This was a slightly unfortunate dismissal, confirmed by a vociferous appeal and a whisker clipping the leg bail. Carse, ending the day with three for 22, was not complaining. New Zealand, though not known for it, could hardly grumble, having dropped eight catches that allowed England to recover from 71 for four.
The day began with England resuming at five wickets down, 29 runs behind, but batting as if they were already in a commanding position. Brook continued from his overnight 132 not out, earning a fifth life when Phillips missed a catch at gully, and Stokes made a restorative 80 from number seven. After Brook fell for his fourth 150-plus score in seven Test centuries, Woakes was dismissed by Tim Southee, and Atkinson and Carse demonstrated the value of England's deep batting lineup. Stokes played cautiously, his natural flow returning after a rigid attempt in Pakistan, and missed out on a century in his birthplace. He remained unfazed, prioritizing the team's victory in this series opener.
Source link: https://www.theguardian.com
